Joey Molland, guitarist of Welsh rock band Badfinger, died Saturday night, March 1. He was 77.

While no official cause of death was announced, the veteran musician had been battling several health issues in recent months.

Molland’s passing was reported on his Instagram, with a post saying, “It is with profound sadness to inform his fans here on IG, and around the world that Joey (Joseph Charles) Molland passed away last night at 11:39pm CST, after a 3+ months long battle with multiple health issues.”

His social media manager Paul aka PD had posted about Molland’s health on January 18th, linking to a GoFundMe page and writing, “Joey has spent the past 2 months in the hospital due to a complicated list of health issues, which centers on complications from his 30+ years of managing diabetes. Not to mention, he’s now 77. He is under constant care…has good days & bad days. It’s too much for his long-time angel of a girlfriend Mary, to handle at home. Joey has health insurance, but we all know the ‘industry’ only covers so much.”

On the GoFundMe page, Molland’s girlfriend Mary wrote of the guitarist’s condition, “Joey was vaguely ill throughout the fall, and then in early December acquired a very bad bacterial infection due to his diabetes. The infection caused septicemia and traveled through his body, causing harm in multiple critical organs and bones. His recovery has been slow and arduous, including several surgeries and procedures.”

Molland joined Badfinger in 1967, right as they changed their name from The Iveys. He was considered part of the band’s core lineup, consisting of singer-guitarist Pete Ham, drummer Mike Gibbins, and bassist Tom Evans, all of whom have also died.

Badfinger were signed to the Beatles’ Apple Records, and released six albums from 1970 through 1974. However, they were left financially ruined by their corrupt manager Stan Polley, and singer Pete Ham wound up taking his own life in 1975.

Source: RTT Music News