I first met Pete Ham in 1966 when The Iveys moved to London from Swansea. They moved into 7 Park Avenue, Golders Green, to share the house with a band from Liverpool called The Mojos. I was a good friend of The Mojos and visited the house regularly. The first time I met The Iveys, I was struck with their enthusiasm and desire to succeed. Everyone who met them loved them, they were four ordinary boys who just happened to have an extraordinary talent. It didn't take long before we all became good friends.

When I think of Pete I think of so many happy times. He smiled and joked a lot when we were together I remember our many nights out at The Bull and Bush in Hampstead, dreaming of the 'big time', but not being able to afford a pint. There were glamorous trips to the Wimpy Bar and the launderette. We knew how to live in the 60's!

When the time came for work, though, that was different. Pete would shut himself away for hours, working at his craft. My most cherished memories will be just sitting and talking and listening to Pete strumming his guitar. I remember clearly the day that we huddled into the recording studio at the house to listen to the tape of their first single, "Maybe Tomorrow". I was convinced it was going to No.1. 1 always knew that one day something wonderful would come out of that little recording studio at 7 Park Avenue and indeed it did. When "Without You" was written, all those dreams were realised. Pete and Tom had written a classic.

My fondest memories will always be of the early years of The Iveys before they became Badfinger, before the men in suits wanted their pound of flesh. Before money became more important than people. Naively, Pete believed that all he had to do was write the music and sing the songs, someone else would look after the business.

Yes, that is how it should be and how it is for alot of successful bands. For Badfinger, however, this was not to be and Pete found it very hard to accept that people would 'rip you off', but that's what happened.

It is not easy to talk about Pete without feeling very emotional and very angry. Emotion for the loss of a dear friend and anger because his life was cut short so tragically. Pete had a beautiful voice and was a very talented songwriter, we should have had so much more from him.

Pete Ham was a sensitive, loyal and incredibly talented man and I am proud to have called him my friend.