
Apple Recordsโ prodigal sons Badfinger were poised to inherit the Beatles’ mantleโcomplete with George Harrisonโs guiding handโyet behind the scenes, turmoil, label neglect, and internal fractures began unraveling their golden opportunity.

In the final part of his candid interview, Michael Fremer defends good digital, champions honest reviews, praises his 17-year-old protรฉgรฉ Malachi Lui, and reflects on how far vinylโand his own journeyโhas come.

George Harrison championed them, Paul McCartney produced their debut hit, and Apple Records signed themโyet the Iveys (soon to be Badfinger) nearly vanished before they began, victims of internal rifts and corporate reshuffling.

Michael Fremer reflects candidly with Gilles Laferriere on receiving a surprise Lifetime Achievement Award at Montreal Audiofest, critiquing exhibitors’ setups, and detailing his emotional departure from Stereophile after building AnalogPlanet and championing vinyl for decades.