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George Harrison Abandoned Badfinger's Album Sessions to Organize Concert for Bangladesh, Leading to Todd Rundgren's Rescue Production

Todd Rundgren, then 23, inherited the project and completed what became the British quartet's most acclaimed record.

Asude Karataş • 31 Mayıs 2026 16:00 • 3 dk okuma • 12 görüntülenme

George Harrison walked away from producing Badfinger's third album in mid-1971 after recording roughly five songs, citing his commitment to organizing the Concert for Bangladesh. Producer Todd Rundgren, a 23-year-old emerging studio talent, inherited the troubled project and delivered "Straight Up," now widely regarded as the British band's masterpiece.

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The Production Timeline
Rundgren's Strategic Intervention

The Production Timeline

Badfinger—comprising guitarists Pete Ham and Joey Molland, bassist Tom Evans, and drummer Mike Gibbins—had already attempted to record their follow-up to the successful "No Matter What" album twice before. The first sessions began in January 1971 under engineer Geoff Emerick, who had worked on Beatles classics including "Revolver" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." However, Apple Records' American distribution arm rejected the initial results, demanding the band restart the album from scratch.

Harrison, fresh off releasing his landmark solo effort "All Things Must Pass," took over production duties beginning in May 1971. The sessions progressed until humanitarian concerns redirected his focus. After learning about the Bangladesh crisis through his friend Ravi Shankar, Harrison committed himself to organizing a benefit concert. The competing priorities forced him to step away from the Badfinger project, leaving the band without a completed album despite months of work.

Rundgren's Strategic Intervention

At that moment, Rundgren received the call to become "producer number three." His reputation for efficiency and meeting deadlines made him the logical choice for a label desperate to see the record finished. Rundgren approached the work with methodical precision, completing what Harrison had begun. The results included two major hit singles—"Baby Blue" and "Day After Day"—that defined the album's commercial and critical success. "Straight Up" stands as Badfinger's strongest release, a distinction owed largely to the combination of Harrison's initial vision and Rundgren's execution.

Why did George Harrison leave the Badfinger sessions?+

Harrison abandoned the project to organize the Concert for Bangladesh, a benefit concert addressing the humanitarian crisis in East Pakistan. His involvement with the event demanded his full attention after roughly five recording sessions with the band.

Who was Todd Rundgren and why was he selected?+

Todd Rundgren was a 23-year-old producer known for his rapid, efficient work in the studio. His reputation for completing projects without delay made him an attractive choice for Apple Records, which needed assurance the album would finally be finished.

How many times did Badfinger attempt to record this album?+

The band started the album three times. First with engineer Geoff Emerick beginning in January 1971, then with George Harrison in May 1971, and finally with Todd Rundgren, who brought the project to completion.

What were the hit songs on "Straight Up"?+

"Baby Blue" and "Day After Day" became the album's two major commercial hits. Both tracks contributed significantly to the record's status as Badfinger's finest work.

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