They played numerous gigs in the Swansea area, and eventually the managed to get more attractive job as opening act for bands like the Who, the Yardbirds, the Moody Blues, and the Spencer Davis Group
By 1966, a new manager in Bill Collins had them based in 7 Park Avenue, Golders Green, London, where they continued to make a name for themselves. Collins encouraged the members of the Iveys to write their own songs and especially Ham soon proved the most proficient at this. By 1967, various record companies and producers, including Decca, Pye, and CBS, expressed an interest in signing them, but they ended up signing with the newly formed Apple Records label in 1968.
They recorded numerous demos and acetates, but only released one album and a couple of singles, before changing their name to Badfinger. Check out the Badfinger page for more information!!
Addition:
From fellow Badfinger fan John Warburg I've received this information about Pete Ham's early career:
"The Panthers (formed in 1961, in Swansea, Glamorgan, South Wales): Pete Ham Fentoweil guitar; (born Peter William Ham, 27.4.1947, in Townhill, Swansea died 24.4.1975, in Weybridge, Surrey); David Franklin guitar; Roy Anderson snare drums; John Harrel bass; Dai Jenkins rhythm guitar, vocals (replaced Franklin) (born David Jenkins).
The Black Velvets (formed in 196? in Swansea): Pete Ham guitar; Roy Anderson drums; John Horrel bass; Dai Jenkins rhythm guitar, vocals.
The Wild Ones (formed in 196? in Swansea): Pete Ham guitar, vocals, occasional organ; Roy Anderson drums; John Horrel bass; Dai Jenkins rhythm guitar, vocals; Terry Gleason drums; Ron Griffiths bass, vocals (Winter 1964) (born Ronald Llewellyn Griffiths, 2.10.1946, in Swansea, Glamorgan, South Wales) (ex The Jaguars).
The Wild Ones (formed in 196? in Swansea): Pete Ham guitar, vocals, occasional organ; Roy Anderson drums; John Horrel bass; Dai Jenkins rhythm guitar, vocals; Terry Gleason drums; Ron Griffiths bass, vocals (Winter 1964) (born Ronald Llewellyn Griffiths, 2.10.1946, in Swansea, Glamorgan, South Wales) (ex The Jaguars).
The Iveys (formed in Winter 1964, in Swansea, split in Sep 1969): Pete Ham guitar, vocals, occasional organ (Winter 1964 - Sep 1969); Dai Jenkins rhythm guitar, vocals (Winter 1964 - Aug 1967); Terry Gleason drums (Winter 1964 - Mar 1965); Ron Griffiths bass, vocals (Winter 1964 - Sep 1969); Mike Gibbons drums, vocals (Mar 1965 - Sep 1969) (born Michael George Gibbons, 12.3.1949, in Swansea); Tom Evans rhythm guitar, vocals (Aug 1967 - Sep 1969) (born Thomas Evans Jr, 5.6.1947, in Liverpool, Lancashire died 23.11.1983)."
Tom Evans: Rhythm guitar and vocals. Evans was a prolific songwriter too, and he co-wrote "Without You" with Pete Ham
Mike Gibbins: Drums . Talented drummer, who wrote one or two songs for most Badfinger albums.
Ron Griffiths: Bass and vocals. Wrote a few songs for the group - best known is "Dear Angie"
David Jenkins: Rhythm guitarist left around 1966 to be replaced by Tom Evans
Discography: |
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