Something About the Beatles – SPECIAL: Badfinger/Iveys Reissue Series with Mark Strothmann

Podcast: Something About the Beatles
Host: Robert Rodriguez (Evergreen Podcasts)
Guest: Mark Strothmann
Date: January 1, 2026

Overview

This episode provides an in-depth look at the ongoing renaissance in the world of Badfinger and the band’s precursor, The Iveys. Robert Rodriguez welcomes Mark Strothmann, a member of the current team behind the recent surge in Badfinger and Iveys reissues, to discuss the evolution of archival releases, the role of the band's passionate fanbase, the unification of member estates, and the future for fans hungry for even more previously unheard material. The conversation weaves together band history, personal passion, and hopeful prospects for archival projects, underlining the connection between Badfinger, its Beatles ancestry, and a dedicated community keeping their legacy alive.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background and Significance of Recent Reissues

• Recent years have seen a striking increase in Badfinger/Iveys releases: remastered albums, demo compilations, live recordings, and more—culminating in a "Badfinger/Iveys renaissance."
• The movement began with Bob Jackson rediscovering and releasing Head First (Badfinger’s intended third Warner Bros. album), after locating lost multitrack tapes and pushing for a proper mix and master.
  • "It just sounds fantastic... an amazing thing that he was persistent enough to track it down and get it done." (Rodriguez, 15:25)
• Ron Griffiths (Ivys bassist replaced by Joey Molland) appeared on the podcast earlier and offered insights into the Iveys' Apple years.

2. Transition from Solo Gatekeepers to a Unified Estate Team

• Original efforts were dominated by individuals like Dan Matovina (biographer/archivist), but after his passing, a more collaborative, open approach developed.
• Mark observes greater camaraderie and communication across the various member estates and among fans, helping propel the projects:
  • "We have this team now and it's just so much easier." (Strothmann, 15:20)
  • "The families, the heirs of the Badfinger guys, have now all sort of come together... it’s finally come full circle to where it needs to be." (Rodriguez, 11:30)
• A fundamental shift toward inclusion and forgiveness among both band camps and estates:
  • "If it wasn't for Joey's work in the last forty plus years, Badfinger's legacy wouldn't be what it is today. And I don't think you’re going to hear that before 2025." (Strothmann, 12:57)

3. Expanding the Historical Record: Demos, Outtakes, and Other Releases

• A huge archive of demos, alternate takes, and unreleased tracks now being surfaced.
  • Pete Ham, described as "a compulsively prolific songwriter," left over 200 songs unreleased by his death, while Tommy Evans and others contributed plenty as well.
  • Multiple demo collections (e.g., Golders Green, Park Avenue, Gwent Gardens, and the new Acoustic) have been released, emphasizing authenticity (minimal overdubs):
    • "Rich was very excited that these were unadulterated songs and this was the way to go... the response coming in was how great this music was, not overdubbed." (Strothmann, 20:43)
• Decisions on what to release and how to sequence them are now more communal and shaped by fan engagement.

4. Archival Process & Technical Details

• The original sources for Ham’s solo demos are scattered: reels and cassettes, some home-made, some studio-based.
  • "Tom and I went through all the reels and then we went through all the cassettes... cassettes already had new stuff there, but it wasn't to the amount that the reels had." (Strothmann, 23:42)
• The team is meticulous about authenticity: avoiding modern overdubs and preserving the period’s sound is a prime directive.
• There’s ongoing debate over when and how to leverage modern technology (such as AI) for cleaning up live and archival recordings.

5. The Role of New Media and Community

• YouTube channels for Badfinger and each member, plus unofficial archives, have exponentially expanded access to rare video and audio, democratizing fandom and research.
  • "It's just amazing to do something like this... you have to really, really be in it and understand and want to help." (Strothmann, 28:32)
• Jacob Marcus runs the Vinyl Verdict video podcast, interviewing everyone in the Badfinger orbit and keeping lore alive.
• Discussion boards (e.g., Steve Hoffman Forum) and Facebook groups function as vital hubs for information, feedback, and involvement.
  • "There's a good chunk of very dedicated, devoted Bad Finger fans... just if you had a disagreement with somebody before, let's just kind of forgive and forget and get back into it and celebrate all the wonderful stuff." (Strothmann, 52:08)

6. Future Prospects: What’s Next for Badfinger/Iveys Fans?

• No immediate plans for similarly extensive releases from the Tom Evans or Joey Molland archives, but some projects for Mike Gibbons are hinted to be in the early stages (30:27).
• Hopes for comprehensive video collections face legal/licensing complexities, yet the aim is to gather and present every artifact with care and community input.
• There’s openness to poll-driven content curation and fan-sourced priorities—e.g., a Vinyl Verdict episode on top Badfinger covers.
• Fans are encouraged to voice preferences for future releases and are reassured that their insights are valued when shaping project direction.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the seismic shift in the community:
  "In the last two and a half years, so much has happened... camaraderie and understanding. It's kind of unbelievable to be in this situation."
  (Strothmann, 12:57–14:12)

• On Pete Ham's archive:
  "He’s got over 200 songs in total, different songs from the next. And that’s a lot of music to do in that amount of time."
  (Strothmann, 19:09)

• On the band's collaborative future:
  "This thing can never be done by one person ever again. It’s not really fair to all seven members of the band at one point or another."
  (Strothmann, 36:12)

• On the importance of community input:
  "If you really are passionate about Badfinger, you know, spread the word and get other people into it. Play them the songs you think that they would like..."
  (Strothmann, 49:45–50:29)

• On mistakes and learning:
  "Mistakes are life’s gold... you just gotta try and do the best you can."
  (Strothmann, 53:24)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp (MM:SS) | Segment | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:00–10:00 | Introduction and historical context: earlier Badfinger/Iveys episodes and their trajectory | | 12:57–14:12 | Community healing and legacy post-Joey Molland’s death | | 15:25–18:57 | The current Badfinger renaissance and the move towards collaborative, archival releases | | 19:09–23:21 | Pete Ham’s songwriting, demo archives, the philosophy behind releasing “unadulterated” tracks | | 23:42–26:05 | Technical details: sources/formats for demos and multitracks, the process of sorting and restoring | | 35:38–38:28 | AI technology and the dream of cleaning up/expanding archival live recordings | | 41:02–43:31 | The structure of Badfinger/Iveys estates and organization of current archival efforts | | 46:38–51:53 | Centralized info for updates, fan community engagement, the role of festivals and social media | | 52:08–53:24 | Community, mistakes, and learning from the process | | 53:30–55:05 | Appreciation and call to enjoy the moment: “just enjoy it while you’re in the moment...” |

Detailed Highlights & Fan Resources

Important Archival Projects

• Head First – Properly remixed from rediscovered multitracks, now available on Apple Music/Spotify (16:00).
• Pete Ham solo demo albums: Park Avenue, Golders Green, Gwent Gardens, Acoustic (29:58).
• Iveys Anthology series: Volumes 1–5—spanning live sets, demos, and rarities.

Where to Stay Updated and Engage

• Official and fan YouTube channels:
  • Badfinger channel, as well as dedicated ones for Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland, Mike Gibbons, Bob Jackson, and The Iveys.
• Facebook Groups:
  • Bad Fingers (with the famous rooftop photo), No Matter What – The Legacy of Pete Ham and the Iveys, Pete Ham Appreciation Society, Badfinger Early 70s Music Sensation.
• Podcasts/YT:
  • Vinyl Verdict (Jacob Marcus)
• Forums:
  • Steve Hoffman Music Forums and similar, for discussion, input, and archival news.

Tone, Style & Community Ethos

The conversation is warm and positive, marked by humility, gratitude, and enthusiasm for both the archival mission and the community. Both Rodriguez and Strothmann reflect on healing past rifts, welcoming passionate new fans, and the joy of discovering and sharing more music. The approach is highly collaborative—eschewing the old days of gatekeeping in favor of openness and a shared sense of mission.

Concluding Thoughts

This episode is both an essential primer and a hopeful dispatch for Badfinger/Iveys fans. Listeners learn how the catalog is expanding thanks to a newly collaborative, passionate team, more open than ever to fan input and driven by a sense of stewardship. With more material in the vaults, advanced restoration technology on the horizon, and an ever-broadening community, the future’s bright for Badfinger’s legacy.

Sample of Key Quotes

• "Passion is the fuel in this engine. It’s just a labor of love." (Strothmann, 28:32)
• "Just enjoy it while you’re in the moment because there’s some really cool stuff going on right now." (Rodriguez, 53:50)
• "Things are... changing. If you had a disagreement with somebody before, let’s just kind of forgive and forget and get back into it and celebrate all the wonderful stuff." (Strothmann, 52:08)

For further details or to join the discussion, check out the various YouTube channels, Vinyl Verdict podcast, and dedicated Facebook groups mentioned above.