IF YOU WANT IT, HERE IT IS MR AYLING

Guess where the Obercheesenmeister is going to be on Saturday? He will be in Swansea for the unveiling of the blue plaque for Pete Ham, a founding member of the 1970’s group, Badfinger. Swansea Council has instigated a Blue Plaque scheme to remember the City’s notable sons and daughters or those who have significantly contributed to Swansea in one way or another.  Pete Ham’s plaque is the first of many to come.

The unveiling will take place on Saturday 27^th April at the entrance to Swansea’s Railway Station, in Ivey Place where the band originally practised and is believed to be the inspiration for the name The Iveys.

Itinerary:

12:20 p.m.      Musical Tributes

1.00p.m.         Speeches and Tributes to Pete Ham

1.20 p.m.        Unveiling of the Blue Plaque

Swansea-born Pete Ham helped pen the song, Without You, which created a world-wide phenomenon for Harry Nilsson in 1972 and has been covered since by Mariah Carey and scores of other artists. Ham was also a founder member of The Iveys and 1970s rock group Badfinger and wrote three of their major hits: No Matter What, Day After Day and Baby Blue. He was cited by former Beatle George Harrison as a "fantastic guitarist and singer" and Paul McCartney described Without You as "the killer song of all-time".

The Iveys became the first band to sign to The Beatles’ label, Apple Records. Ham went on to form Badfinger but took his own life aged 27 in 1975. The blue plaque scheme has been organised by Swansea Council to honour the city’s most famous sons and daughters which will help Swansea celebrate its rich heritage and boost the visiting experience for tourists.

The picture, by the way, is courtesy of those jolly nice people at Swansea Council