He was a singer-songwriter born William Peter Ham in Swansea, Wales., who was in the band The Panthers which became The Iveys, which was a street in Swansea, and also a pun of The Hollies. In 1968 Paul McCartney discovered them and signed them to the Apple label and after he had given them the song “Come and Get It” to record they changed their name to Badfinger.
After The Beatles split up he continued to do guitar and vocal session work for Ringo Starr and George Harrison in the studio. Aside from his work with Badfinger he appeared on The Concert for Bangladesh album, on “All Things Must Pass”with George Harrison and the single “It Don’t Come Easy” by Ringo Starr.
He wrote many compositions such as “No Matter What” which was a Badfinger hit. He is best known for “Without You” which he wrote with his friend Tom Evans, also of Badfinger.
After experiencing financial and managerial problems with Badfinger he hung himself on 23rdApril 1975, aged 27.
Susie Allanson Recording
Without You (Pete Ham/Tom Evans)
https://youtu.be/abHUo_scThI
Source:
- http://www.peteham.net/
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Ham
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7471112
- https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pete-ham-mn0000840048/biography