I remember as a teenager when I first heard Pete Ham's vocals on the radio when "No Matter What" came out in late 1970. I thought it was a great song from day one but I was doubly surprised when the deejay said it was by Badfinger. I thought "This is the same band that did 'Come and Get It'?" Although that was an okay song, it didn't ROCK like the new single. Every time I heard it played I would want to turn up my radio. I also recall reading the Rolling Stone review of "No Dice" and it's superlative words about "Pete Ham". So I was very familiar with his name early on, even though I never got around to buying a Badfinger LP until after 1974.

Later on, of course, I heard "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" on the radio and loved them as well--- this time the deejay was introducing the songs as being by "PETE HAM and Badfinger". I even heard the local station play "Apple of My Eye" a few times and dug that as well. Unfortunately, I never read much about the band until the 1975 Rolling Stone article about Pete's suicide, which emphasized his hand in writing "Without You" (a true classic) plus all of Badfinger's original hit songs.

After reading that horrible news and seeing a later ad promoting a Apple Records clearance sale on all of their LPs, I started buying up everything Badfinger released, even finding the two WB releases as vinyl and/or cassette cut-outs. I fell in love with the other songs Pete had written that never made it onto the radio and played all of them over and over. I even bought copies of the cut-outs to add to my sister's album collection. I clearly knew what a great songwriter Pete Ham was and his music has inspired me ever since as a songwriter and a member of BMI.

Fortunately for all of us fans, the two latter-day CDs of Pete's song demos only confirmed his greatness for me and possibly convinced a few doubters of his talent. I feel that if Pete Ham had lived longer he would have written more classics like "Without You". He was every bit as good a songwriter as the Brothers Gibb and Paul McCartney at writing memorable melodic pop song treasures.

Excellent song writer and performer.

Very few artists can make me break down and cry when I hear their songs. Pete is one. The fact that he isn't a household name is a shame. I bet every adult in the world knows the words to Without You, but have no idea who actually wrote it.

Pete Ham,despite the brevity of his years, left a great musical impression with the gift God gave him.

Pete Ham was an amazing songwriter who did not get as much credit as he should have. He deserves a place in the Hall of Fame.

Legendary toonsmith & melody man

Greatness, promise yet never given a chance to show all that he could have done. Such a loss at to young an age.

pete ham had a brilliant gift and was such a serious songwriter. i love his music.

The best - a true legend!

Thiel College, Greenville PA 2003. Most under-valued overdrive tube song smith, guital player, vocalist of all time. Love you Pete (RIP) and miss you so much. Only flaw was being honest, sincere, trusting, loving, giving, loyal, transparent, caring.

Sorely under-rated. Pete's potential, both solo and collaboration was incredible. The world is a poorer place for having lost him so young.

One of the best and not noticed as he should be.

One of the Best there was

Simply the best singer/songwriter.

Pete Ham was a gifted songwriter as well as a talented guitar player and singer. The tonal quality of his distinguished vocals in Badfinger's pop-rock songs make it impossible to forget him. And when you think about it long enough you realize just how great he would've been...had it not been for creative shadowboxing with the Beatles, or being cheated out of your life's work while watching it disappear from retail store shelves. Even through all this Pete Ham managed to write through his songs another story besides the tragedy of Badfinger. And hearing about love and home in music is the reason we buy records and listen to them, even if they are laced with disaster going on around you.

PETE WAS A SUPERB MUSICIAN & SONGWRITER WHOSE GREATNESS SHOULD BE CELEBRATED AND CHERISHED AND BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF A WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE...DAY AFTER DAY.

Pete Ham......Underrated, victim of blood-sucking businessmen who loved money more than beauty. Pete Ham touches my soul. His music is everlasting.

PETE HAM Brilliant songwriter guitar player and practical joker also a Gentleman. Peters music is (Timeless) you are the Best Peter (shine On) Paul and jake Almond Haydock

what a nice songwriter he was so sweets compositions and rock feeling he miss so much he was PERFECTION

what a nice songwriter he was so sweets compositions and rock feeling he miss so much he was PERFECTION

what a nice songwriter he was so sweets compositions and rock feeling he miss so much he was PERFECTION

he wrote some beautiful songs

Pete Ham is one the greatest singer, guitarist songwriters the world will ever hear. He truely wrote from the heart. Eric Clapton couldn't hold a candle to Pete in any department.

Pete was a BRILLIANT songwriter. I've been listening to the import CD versions of 7 Park Avenue and Golders Green. They are absolutely beautiful. I love these songs more everytime I hear them.

Pete Ham is the greatest under-rated songwriter ! Pete had a natural gift of lyrics from the heart and a marvelous ear for melody with a catchy hook. Pete Ham's influence on other musicians songwriting alone justifies his in place in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Under-rated songwriter and band. They were great! Hope Pete makes it in!

He was GREAT!

This guy was one of the all time great songwriters. Without you, day after day, no matter what , baby blue, and all this before he died so tragically at 27.

Pete Ham...second to no one as a songwriter. He is on par with Lennon-McCartney nothing else need be said.

Everything that Pete wrote was great. Some of my fav Pete songs were the ones no one hears very often. Such as Blodwyn, Name of The Game, Midnight Caller. He should be moved up the list. I'd like to see him inducted b-4 I leave this earth.

I would be a CRIME if Pete Ham isn't inducted!!! Billy Sullivan

Pete Ham was a songsmith of great depth and poiniancy. His well-crafted music should be honoured (albeit belatedly)for its relevance (even now), its beauty (both lyrically & musically)and its ability to transcend many varied styles perfectly. Pete and his bandmates never received proper recognition and respect, an industry-wide oversight that needs and deserves to be corrected. So, yes, Pete Ham to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Badfinger to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!!

pete ham is a true artist. As a songwriter,he had a great ability to write so many songs.Not any old song,brilliant songs.He deserves overdue recognition...as does tommy evans.For overall music entertainment....badfinger?yeah!

Pete Ham is one of the most overlooked songwriters of the sixties and seventies. He wrote the hits for Badfinger and some of his songs like Without You, Day After Day, Baby Blue and No Matter What have been recorded by numerous other artists. Many of his lesser know songs are also potential evergreens. Check out his two solo releases and of course the Badfinger albums!