Peter William Ham

An Exhibition at Swansea Central Library

What Peter Ham’s music means to me:
Letters from the fans...

"Comfort me, dear Brother, Won't you tell me what you know, For somewhere in this painful world Is a place where I can go"

Pete's music was the inspiration for me to begin writing and performing music. Ever since he created "power pop" with his song "No Matter What", I have been a huge fan of the genre - and that song remains my favorite. He was a tremendous talent and, by all accounts, a true gentleman. Thanks Pete, and may peace be with you.
KENT GRAY, California (USA)

The words and music of Peter William Ham are second in my heart only to those of John Lennon. Pete wrote about the gray clouds as well as their silver linings, a beautiful blend of melancholy and optimism. Pete Ham was what made Badfinger special. The world is not the same without him.
DOUG STALNAKER, Winchester (USA)

Pete Ham was a truly gifted musician and a truly beautiful person. His songs were written from his heart and tell his life's story. They can make me smile or bring me to tears. I will always wonder about the songs that will never be heard...God Bless you, Pete.
PEGGY BURNEKA, Ohio (USA)

To me, Pete was John, Paul & George rolled into one, but most of all he was Pete. He could be fun, he could be deep, but he always touched a chord with what I was thinking at the time and I could always relate his songs to events in my own life. When I read he died, I was totally stunned for days…
ALAN HAWKES, Woking (ENGLAND)

Pete's voice has always been a familiar sound in our home. From "No Matter What" through "Just A Chance", Pete always delivered the goods. His important and melodic songs will always have meaning in our lives.
JOE PELLEGRINO, New York (USA)

Pete Ham's importance to modern pop music is more relevant today than it was during his short career in the music industry. Today Badfinger music more than any other is often sighted as a main source of inspiration and influence to musicians around the world. He gave an irreplaceable gift to the music world - the gift of touching and connecting to the hearts of listeners. More than ever we appreciate his timeless music which is now beginning to impact a new generation of fans.
RANDY JUSTESEN, Stillwater (USA)

Pete had a great touch on his guitar.
He was Badfinger's John Lennon.
He was Badfinger's George Harrison.
I love his voice. I love his song writing. I missed him.
STEVE, (THAILAND)

In one song Pete wrote "I've locked my feelings in a jar until another day". Sadly, he opened the jar by himself and left us. I hope Pete's death will encourage other people to seek family, friends or community support if they decide to take life into their own hands.
DAN DONNELLY, Ontario (CANADA)

Not only is Pete Ham's music inspirational, but it is also powerfully emotional, and....simply wonderful. As a singer/songwriter myself, I can truly appreciate the magic of Pete Ham's creations. It's a travesty that such a diverse talent had to be taken away from us (and the music world) so soon. It is extremely gratifying; however, to learn that this man's well-deserved - and long overdue -day of honour and recognition has finally arrived. Thanks Pete.
ED GRIGLOCK, Harrisburg (USA)

When I read what a nice man Pete was, I must admit to sheding a few tears.
Nobody seemed to have a bad word to say about him.
GARY WEST, Hertfordshire (ENGLAND)

In a world where everything is "Instant" and "disposable," it is comforting to put on a Badfinger tune and listen to songs that will resonate in people’s hearts forever.
Great Artists and Songs transcend timelines and eras. Pete Ham stands with the best of his craft. Thank You Pete,
KEVIN McELLIGOT, New York (USA)

In one of the last songs he wrote before his death, Pete reassured his adopted son,
"There’s a way through, there’s a way to take away blue".
He never gave us the method. Perhaps he never found it.
RODERICK HEALE, Swansea (Wales)

My wife asked me recently, "If you could go back in time and change any event in the history of the world what would it be?". As a tribute to what Pete means to me, my first thought was that I wish I could have been there that fateful night to try to talk him out of ending it all. I had a dream once in which he was absolved by the "High Court" and admitted to heaven despite his terminal sin!
RUSS ROTH, California (USA)

Pete's music struck me as a young teenager in Sydney, Australia as something different; of course I didn't know what it was at that age, but remember 'No Matter What' as surpassing even The Beatles as my most played 45. Since then, I followed his music as well as was possible during the 'silent years' when Badfinger material was unobtainable, buying second hand LP's and imports; his soul still touches me in many ways - I think of him often.
MICHAEL EINERSEN, Brisbane (AUSTRALIA)

I never knew the man and yet I truly understand where he was coming from.
His was the signature voice on the AM radio when I was growing up. I can remember hearing "Day After Day" for the first time and wishing I could hear it again one late night as I was lying in my bed and listening to the radio. I don't know whether it was coincidence or what, but as I was listening and thinking of that song, it came on, and this was at least a year and a half after it was released.
RON SAUNDERS, Maryland (USA)

Pete's music was the real sound of the seventies. Every time I hear one of his songs on the radio, it takes me back to High School and the carefree times of my youth, before life got so serious. "No Matter What", "Day After Day" and "Baby Blue" will never fail to make me stop whatever I am doing, and make me drift back to the good times. Thanks to Pete and the boys.
TERRY GAINEY, NSW (AUSTRALIA)

... there is no real perfection, there'll be no perfect day... Love is our connection - the truth in what we say... (Peter Ham, circa 1966)
JAY APPLEGANG, Georgia (USA)

Twenty five years later and I'm still listening. Pete left us too soon.
RON DRIEMEIER, Swansea (WALES)

I used to follow Badfinger in the late 1960’s when they toured Britain with Gene Pitney. I’ve still got Pete’s photo and autograph. I was really upset when he took his own life.
HILARY HUDSON, Brighouse (ENGLAND)

I fully intended to send that fan letter to Pete, back in early 1975. The one where I expressed how he sang my soul, how his music helped me get through the difficult times, and brought me creative inspiration and great happiness. I just wanted to thank him, but one of my greatest regrets is that I never mailed it. So thank you, Pete. Please know that you will always live on inside of me and so many others whose lives and hearts you've touched with your brilliant talent.
LIZ HAYS, California (USA)

When I hear Petes work it can move me to the verge of tears . Knowing that such a sensitive mans talent was exploited and stolen from him. Like all great artists they are simply on loan to us from God - Pete was surely one of them. I can only wonder how many Classic's he could have written had he stayed with us.
BILL NIELSEN, New Jersey (USA)

The haunting melodies and lyrics of Pete will remain with me forever.
RUFUS de RUE, Stafford (ENG)

Pete Ham's songs as a whole, cover the spectrum of human emotion. His words are not just words that make up lines in a song, but they are words that tell a story directly from his heart. Pete never received the attention, credit, or praise that was due to him. Music did not make Pete Ham, Pete Ham made Music, and when he died, it was like another February 1959.
COLIN WARLING, Valencia (USA)

Pete Ham and his group Badfinger, like a lot of History's great artists, isn't discovered and/or appreciated until long after they are gone; this is painfully true for Pete Ham.
Pete's music whether introspective or just looking at a side of life that touched his inner soul, also touched all of us. The more I get to know you, the more I miss your continued outlook on life, and love, and the Hell of it all!
Thank you Pete...May you find peace, my friend...
RICK KELLOGG, Ohio (USA)

Thank you Pete for all of the great music and memories you have put into my life. Although you passed when I was only 6 years old, one of my earliest memories is hearing "Day After Day" on the radio. As I got older, I was given more opportunities to hear many of the other gems you wrote, performed and recorded by yourself and with your bandmates, and I continue to find many other pieces of your work that touch my heart. My only regret is never being able to see you, Tom, Joey, Mike and Bob perform together live. May you rest in peace and may others have the chance to be touched by your presence on this earth as I have.
KEVIN ELWARDT, Chicago (USA)

From the first time I heard "No Matter What" as a teenager I knew I had experienced something special. To my amazement Badfinger’s LP's contained the same fantastic writing (especially Pete,) great vocals and sound the single contained. Pete's songwriting demonstrated a unique ability to be subtle in lyric and extremely powerful in sentiment in the same breath. Listening to songs such as, "Catherine Cares," "Dawn," "Sille Veb" "Just How Lucky We Are" and "Makes Me Feel Good" only reiterate the passion this man had for his family and life. They are songs that truly continue to reinforce how fortunate we are to be exposed to the musical styling of Peter William Ham.
BRIAN FAGNANO, Williamsport (USA)

I’ve been a big Pete fan since hearing "Day After Day." I will always remain so. Pete was a great songwriter and A brilliant singer. Like that falsetto vocals at the end of "Dennis." That’s singing !
NICK WIGAN, (ENG)