Podcast Summary: "313 – The Iveys with Ron Griffiths"

Something About The Beatles | Host: Robert Rodriguez
Release Date: November 1, 2025
Guest: Ron Griffiths, original bassist of The Iveys (later Badfinger)
Total Conversation Time: ~1:51:00

Episode Overview

This episode is a deep dive into the formation, early years, and transition of The Iveys—precursors to Badfinger—through a candid and heartfelt interview with surviving member Ron Griffiths. Host Robert Rodriguez and Ron discuss the band's roots in Swansea, Wales, their evolution, experiences with legendary figures like The Beatles, and the ups and downs of life as one of Apple Records' earliest signings. The conversation is rich with unknown anecdotes, band history, personal triumphs and disappointments, and the enduring legacy of Iveys/Badfinger music.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Early Days

• Swansea Beginnings & Musical Influences (10:09–17:13)
  • Ron describes his musical upbringing in Swansea, early exposure to The Shadows, skiffle, and rock and roll.
  • Key influences included Jet Harris (bass, The Shadows), Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, and Eddie Cochran.
  • Ron recalls being the first to buy “Please Please Me” in Swansea, integrating Beatles and other covers into band sets.

“I was the first person in Swansea to actually buy [‘Please Please Me’].” (Ron, 17:46)

• First Bands and The Iveys’ Formation (23:13–25:09)
  • Recruited by Pete Ham and Dai Jenkins after an impromptu post-gig invite.
  • Name “The Iveys” inspired by “Ivy Place” near Swansea Railway station.

“I shouted to the other boys, what about naming ourselves the Ivys?...And that’s how the name stuck.” (Ron, 25:09)

2. Crucial Band Developments

• Evolution in Sound & Lineups (11:17–19:13, 29:20–31:50)
  • Early Iveys were far heavier live than their “light and flowery” Apple debut suggested.
  • Shift from instrumental/vocal covers to original songwriting—pressured by would-be manager Bill Collins.
  • Tom Evans’ addition after Dai Jenkins left due to lack of interest in songwriting.

“He [Bill Collins] was adamant that’s the way you’re going to make any money if you ever get a recording deal.” (Ron, 29:20)

• Moving to London, The Sweatbox, and Demos (39:03–41:10)
  • Moved to Bill Collins’ house in Golders Green; set up a primitive home studio (“the sweatbox”).
  • Prolific demo sessions, experimenting with double tracking and bouncing on a two-track Revox, which is now in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

"It gave birth to something quite phenomenal." (Ron, 42:53)

3. Industry Connections & Breakthroughs

• Ray Davies Experience (43:10–46:08)

  • Kinks’ Ray Davies heard Iveys’ demos via his tour manager, recorded four tracks with the band in early ’67.
  • Surprised at how powerful their sound was in the studio versus on primitive home recordings.

• Mal Evans, Apple, and Beatles Proximity (49:59–52:51)

  • Meeting Mal Evans, Beatles' roadie, at a marquee gig changed their fortunes, leading to Apple audition.
  • Early Apple was forming as an artist-dominated label; The Iveys were the first signed band.
  • Recollections of singing Beatles and Who songs live, and memorable early gigs.

“He [Mal] said, ‘That put me in mind of the old Cavern days.’” (Ron, 49:59)

4. Recording, Releasing, & Apple Years

• Sessions & Producers (57:37–58:43)

  • “Maybe Tomorrow” recorded at Trident Studios, produced by various luminaries: Mal Evans, Denny Cordell, Tony Visconti (notable for string arrangement trickery on “Dear Angie”).

• Paul McCartney’s Intervention (58:43–84:54)

  • McCartney played “Hey Jude” privately for Ron & Mike Gibbons at Trident before its release.
  • Demoed “Come and Get It” for the band, insisted it be played “exactly as you hear it.”
  • Bass outro “Hendrix run” by Ron makes the final record—an “invisible feather” in his cap.

“He launched into ‘Hey Jude’....Nobody else in the world had heard it. No cameras, no phones...so it’s all up here.” (Ron, 59:28)
“He actually said, ‘This is the hit. You must play it exactly as you hear it. Don’t muck about with it...’” (Ron, 80:29)

5. Band Politics, Personal Struggles, and Departure

• Pressures of Professionalism & Family (87:41–89:51)
  • Ron’s marriage and new fatherhood clashed with the “no women” policies enforced by Bill Collins, echoing Beatles’ manager Epstein.
  • Personal flashpoint: Tommy Evans’ late-night record playing and tensions in shared accommodations led to Ron being edged out, endorsed by Apple’s PR head Derek Taylor.

“We don’t think he’s one of the boys anymore….So they asked me to go.” (Ron, 89:47)

• Missed Opportunities & Session Work (90:26–90:55)
  • Wasn’t told about session requests for his bass playing; declined joining Dodgers (later fronted by Tommy Evans) for financial stability.
  • Maintained friendships and occasional musical collaboration with original members.

6. Legacy & Later Years

• Badfinger's Later Evolution (93:03–94:34)

  • Maintained admiration for successor Joey Molland and Badfinger’s evolving sound.
  • Praised Bob Jackson’s remixed “Head First” album as “professional quality production.”

• Tragic Losses (94:35–99:03)

  • Candid about the pain of losing Pete Ham, Tommy Evans, and Mike Gibbons, all too early—details on funerals, last communications, and lasting shock.

• Royalties, Recognition & Gold Disc (99:39–104:25)

  • Ron missed out on royalties due to communication failure and questionable documentation when leaving the band.
  • Persistence led to eventually receiving a well-deserved gold disc for “Come and Get It”—a “beautiful” and emotional moment.

“When I was taking it out of the box I was expecting, ‘I bet this is going to be absolute rubbish.’ … That was an absolute icing on the cake.” (Ron, 104:05)

• Recent Activity & Reflection (104:32–109:51)
  • Johnny-come-lately recognition, collaborating with Bob Jackson, recording new vocals from home.
  • Declined writing a memoir—“leave it at that”—but appreciative of the “tapestry” he contributed to.

“I’m just glad I was part of it. I’m glad I got some happy memories. I’m glad I got that award recently. … I’m happy with my lot.” (Ron, 109:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Meeting Paul McCartney:
  “He played Mike and me this song that he and John just written and we didn’t know how to take it. It was called ‘Hey Jude’… We were gobsmacked.”
  -- Ron Griffiths (59:28)

• On Getting Ousted:
  “It was causing friction between Maureen and myself… It had got to a point then where the three [other band members] and Bill… got together… Perhaps we ought to consider asking Ron if he would leave the band.”
  -- Ron Griffiths (89:02)

• On Apple Years and Legacy:
  “It still amazes me… I get letters and emails from people to this day. It comes across to me as if it only happened yesterday. It is an amazing feeling… I’m gobsmacked that people are so enamored with it."
  -- Ron Griffiths (110:46)

• On Tragedies in Badfinger:
  “If Peter Hamm hadn't committed suicide, I'm convinced...he’d have asked me to come in on various collaborations...but of course, we'll never, ever know that now.”
  -- Ron Griffiths (91:54)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [10:09] – Introduction of Iveys members
• [17:21] – Ron’s first Beatles encounter and buying “Please Please Me”
• [23:13] – Origin of The Iveys’ name
• [29:20] – Dai Jenkins leaves, Tom Evans joins
• [39:03] – Home studio (“sweatbox”) and Revox tape machine stories
• [43:10] – Sessions with Ray Davies
• [49:59] – How Mal Evans connected them to Apple
• [58:43] – Paul McCartney plays “Hey Jude” for Ron & Mike
• [80:29] – Paul presents “Come and Get It” and recording details
• [87:41] – Band tensions over Ron’s marriage and fatherhood
• [93:03] – Reflections on Badfinger albums released after his departure
• [99:39] – Royalty issues and receiving the gold record
• [104:25] – Emotional moment receiving the gold disc
• [109:51] – Final reflections and satisfaction with legacy
• [110:46] – Ron on the enduring public affection for The Iveys/Badfinger

Tone & Language

Conversation is relaxed, open, and often humorous, interwoven with nostalgia and bittersweet candor about the highs and tragedies of the Iveys/Badfinger saga. Ron’s Welsh warmth and self-effacing style shine through, while host Robert Rodriguez steers the chat with a blend of fan passion and thorough research.

Closing Thoughts

This episode stands out as a foundational oral history of The Iveys and early Badfinger, documenting firsthand the twists of fate, creativity, and heartbreak at the edge of The Beatles’ orbit. Ron Griffiths’s stories—sometimes never-before-heard—humanize the myths and illuminate how luck, talent, and the right (and wrong) connections shape rock history. Anyone interested in 1960s British rock, Apple Records, or the human side of musical legacy will find this an indispensable listen.