Airwaves (album)
Encyclopedia
Airwaves is an album released by Badfinger
in 1979 on the Elektra
label (a sister label
to Warner Bros. Records
, their previous label), the seventh album released that was credited to Badfinger. Anticipated as a comeback
album for the group at the time, expectations were not quite realized, as the "group" now consisted of just the duo of Tom Evans
and Joey Molland
, accompanied by guitarist Joe Tansin and various session musicians.
, and the suicide of group co-founder Pete Ham in 1975, Badfinger disbanded, and the remaining members joined various other groups or dropped out of music for the next two years.
At the behest of Chicago musicians Joe Tansin (guitar/vocals) and Kenny Harck (drums), the then-unemployed Joey Molland
formed a new group with the duo in Los Angeles. Molland later enticed his fellow former Badfinger member Tom Evans to also join the unnamed band.
After the band shopped demonstration records around the L.A. area, they discovered they would have more marketing power if they revived the Badfinger moniker. Although the name helped the group open doors to potential record labels, it also caused an inequality and friction between old and new Badfinger members within the band. As recordings commenced for the album, Harck was released by the band. Former Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins auditioned for the group but was not hired, and session musician Andy Newmark was finally brought in for the drum tracks. Tansin, whose songs were largely bypassed during production in favour of Evans and Molland tunes, quit the group immediately upon the album's completion.
With a short running time and basically only eight songs, Airwaves did not leave a strong impression on music reviewers upon its release. Critics also complained about the album's "West coast" production and the loss of the famous Badfinger sound. Molland, however, has often defended the album and its production. The band toured frequently in support of the album, but sales figures failed to garner optimism with Elektra and the label passed on issuing a follow up LP.
Two singles were released from the album. "Lost Inside Your Love" did not enter the U.S. charts, "Love Is Gonna Come At Last" managed a peak position at #69 on Billboard. The actual album peaked at #125 in the US charts.
Badfinger
Badfinger were a British rock band consisting originally of Pete Ham, Ron Griffiths, Mike Gibbins and Tom Evans, active from 1968 to 1983, and evolving from The Iveys, formed by Ham, Griffiths and David "Dai" Jenkins in Swansea, Wales, in the early 1960s. Joey Molland joined the group in 1969,...
in 1979 on the Elektra
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
label (a sister label
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, their previous label), the seventh album released that was credited to Badfinger. Anticipated as a comeback
Comeback
A comeback is the return of a person of public interest, a style or fashion in the mid-point of media interest. The term is predominantly used in politics, sports and pop music. In the case of a band, the term reunion is used...
album for the group at the time, expectations were not quite realized, as the "group" now consisted of just the duo of Tom Evans
Tom Evans (musician)
Thomas Evans Jr was a musician who was most notable for his work with the band Badfinger.- Badfinger :In 1969, The Iveys changed their name to Badfinger and Paul McCartney of The Beatles gave the group a boost by offering them his song "Come and Get It" which he produced for the band...
and Joey Molland
Joey Molland
Joseph "Joey" Charles Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans four decades...
, accompanied by guitarist Joe Tansin and various session musicians.
History
Following the "hold" placed on the last Badfinger album, Head FirstHead First (Badfinger album)
Head First is the tenth and final album by rock band Badfinger, released on November 14, 2000. It is the last album to feature the original "Iveys" core of Pete Ham, Tom Evans and Mike Gibbins. It was recorded in December 1974 at The Beatles' Apple Studios in London and remained unreleased for 26...
, and the suicide of group co-founder Pete Ham in 1975, Badfinger disbanded, and the remaining members joined various other groups or dropped out of music for the next two years.
At the behest of Chicago musicians Joe Tansin (guitar/vocals) and Kenny Harck (drums), the then-unemployed Joey Molland
Joey Molland
Joseph "Joey" Charles Molland is an English composer and rock guitarist whose recording career spans four decades...
formed a new group with the duo in Los Angeles. Molland later enticed his fellow former Badfinger member Tom Evans to also join the unnamed band.
After the band shopped demonstration records around the L.A. area, they discovered they would have more marketing power if they revived the Badfinger moniker. Although the name helped the group open doors to potential record labels, it also caused an inequality and friction between old and new Badfinger members within the band. As recordings commenced for the album, Harck was released by the band. Former Badfinger drummer Mike Gibbins auditioned for the group but was not hired, and session musician Andy Newmark was finally brought in for the drum tracks. Tansin, whose songs were largely bypassed during production in favour of Evans and Molland tunes, quit the group immediately upon the album's completion.
With a short running time and basically only eight songs, Airwaves did not leave a strong impression on music reviewers upon its release. Critics also complained about the album's "West coast" production and the loss of the famous Badfinger sound. Molland, however, has often defended the album and its production. The band toured frequently in support of the album, but sales figures failed to garner optimism with Elektra and the label passed on issuing a follow up LP.
Two singles were released from the album. "Lost Inside Your Love" did not enter the U.S. charts, "Love Is Gonna Come At Last" managed a peak position at #69 on Billboard. The actual album peaked at #125 in the US charts.
Side one
- "Airwaves" (Evans/Molland) – 0:29
- "Look Out California" (Evans) – 3:27
- "Lost Inside Your Love" (Evans) – 2:42
- "Love Is Gonna Come at Last" (Molland) – 3:37
- "Sympathy" (Tansin) – 4:28
Side two
- "The Winner" (Tansin) – 3:26
- "The Dreamer" (Molland) – 5:20
- "Come Down Hard" (Molland) – 3:48
- "Sail Away" (Evans) – 3:31
1997 CD bonus tracks
- "One More Time" (Tansin) – 2:57 +
- "Send Me Your Love" (Tansin) – 4:12 +
- "Steal My Heart" (Tansin) – 3:56 +
- "Love Can't Hide" (Molland/Tansin) – 2:45 ++
- "Can You Feel the Rain" (Tansin) – 4:03 +
- + Produced by Joe Tansin
- ++ Produced by Joey Molland