GENRE; Acoustic Rock/ Alt Rock Pop/ AOR/ Glam Rock
RELEASE DATE; 16 June, 2026
RATING; 4/5
Released on 16 June 2026, “Song for Pete Ham” finds LY@TT paying heartfelt respect to one of rock’s most gifted yet tragic figures. Inspired by the life and passing of Badfinger’s Pete Ham, the single explores loss, remembrance, and admiration with remarkable sincerity. Rather than presenting a nostalgic recreation, the band crafts a deeply personal tribute that acknowledges Ham’s enduring influence through carefully placed references to classics such as Without You, No Matter What, Baby Blue, and Day After Day. The decision to preserve the original wording inspired by Ham’s suicide note, including its explicit language, reflects a commitment to authenticity instead of commercial compromise.
The duet between Paul R Johnson and DC Williams forms the emotional heartbeat of the song. Their alternating verses create the feeling of an intimate conversation with a fallen hero, while Venezuelan guest singer Kleidi Buroz adds striking backing harmonies that enrich the atmosphere without overshadowing the principal performances. Every voice contributes purpose, giving the tribute warmth, depth, and genuine compassion.
The band carefully balances reverence with originality. Rick Skinner’s expressive slide guitar recalls the unmistakable texture of Badfinger’s Day After Day, while Paul R Johnson’s synthesizer passage broadens the arrangement with tasteful modern colour. DC Williams anchors everything with melodic bass lines and acoustic guitar, and Ed Booth’s remarkable first-take drum performance injects confidence and momentum, proving that instinct can sometimes eclipse repeated refinement.
Having reunited in 2024 after first playing together in 1988, LY@TT continues to demonstrate the chemistry built over decades of friendship and shared experience. Recorded at Studio 607 in Ivy, Virginia, under the guidance of Tim Ryan, “Song for Pete Ham” succeeds because it treats its subject with respect rather than sentimentality. It is an affecting tribute that celebrates Pete Ham’s lasting contribution to rock history while allowing LY@TT to express their own artistic identity with conviction and grace.
