Baker Street singer Gerry Rafferty, who had battled a drink problem, dies aged 63

By Daily Mail Reporter


Scroll down to see video


Singer Gerry Rafferty - famous for his hit Baker Street - has died at the age of 63. Rafferty, who is also best known for his 1972 hit Stuck In The Middle With You with his band Stealers Wheel


He was a Humblebum with Billy Connolly, did almost as much for Baker Street as Sherlock Holmes and had a hit that Quentin Tarantino made a movie star.

But yesterday, after a colourful career – and life – Scottish musician Gerry Rafferty died at the age of 63.

He had battled a drink problem and had been admitted to hospital in Bournemouth in November with liver failure.


Rafferty (pictured with Billy Connolly) started his career in a school band before working with Connolly's folk band The Humblebums. The pair parted in 1970 after the Big Yin's comic stories gradually took up more of their set


The Paisley-born star was best known for his solo hit Baker Street and the 1972 song Stuck In The Middle With You with his band Stealers Wheel. It was this song which featured in the infamous torture scene in Tarantino's 1992 film Reservoir Dogs.

Royalties from Baker Street alone - renowned worldwide for its distinctive haunting saxophone solo - are said to have brought in £80,000 a year.

His daughter Martha said last night he had passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family.

Early last year, Rafferty - who was engaged to Enzina Fuschini, 56 - had given a rare interview to the Mail from his home in Italy, where he had just produced his first album in nine years, called Life Goes On.

The intensely private star, who sold 10million records in a 40-year career, said: ‘The important thing for any musician is to focus on becoming a better musician as opposed to a bigger celebrity.’


Rafferty's 1972 song Stuck In The Middle With You was given a new lease of life when it featured in the infamous torture scene (pictured) in Tarantino's 1992 film Reservoir Dogs


He was born to a Scottish mother and Irish father and would later recount how she would take him out into the streets to avoid being at home when his father returned drunk.

Rafferty was educated at St Mirin's Academy, the same Paisley school that Elton John's manager John Reid attended.

Rafferty started his career in a school band called The Mavericks, before working with comedian Billy Connolly and his folk band The Humblebums.

The pair parted in 1970 after the Big Yin’s comic stories gradually took up more of their set, and in 1971 Rafferty released a solo album.

The following year, he and former schoolmate Joe Egan formed folk rock band Stealers Wheel.

The ode Stuck In The Middle With You - or mocking tribute- to Bob Dylan's raspy voice grew new wings in film maker Quentin Tarantino's movie 'Reservoir Dogs', and has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

It was in 1978 that he wrote Baker Street, the track that was recognised last October for having been played a staggering five million times worldwide.

That track climbed to No. 3 in the U.K. and No. 2 in the U.S. music charts in 1978. It still achieves considerable airplay on radio stations.

As a producer, he also later had a hand in The Proclaimers’ 1987 hit Letter From America.

But alcoholism ultimately caused to the breakdown of his 20-year marriage to wife Carla in 1990.

As rumours began to spread about Rafferty’s health, his representatives were forced to release a statement in 2009 insisting he was healthy.

The media then reported that he had gone missing – but the star himself hit back last year to explain where he had been.

He said: ‘I became increasingly reluctant to perform live and my so-called "disappearance” became the subject of ill-informed speculation about my lifestyle and, more recently, my whereabouts.

‘The truth is I had simply relocated to Italy, where I write a lot of music. I believe, even before we are born, our role in life has been determined. Mine was to write music.

‘I’ve never worried about how a new release will be received. I just do the best I can and leave the rest to the gods.’

Tributes poured in for the singer as news of his death broke.

Singer Lily Allen posted 'Rest in Peace Gerry x' on Twitter and linked the message to a video of his 1970s track Right Down The Line.

Wet Wet Wet guitarist Graeme Duffin told the Sun: 'Gerry's influence on musicians and music fans alike was far reaching. His timeless songwriting, musical arrangements and silky smooth emotive voice impacted millions internationally. We will miss him.'

Musician and broadcaster Tom Robinson said Rafferty would be greatly missed.

The BBC 6 Music presenter said: 'I'm deeply saddened to hear that Gerry has lost the battle with his failing health.

'His early work with Stealers Wheel was an inspiration to a whole generation of songwriters in the 70s including me, and many of us had hoped his recent album Life Goes On in 2009 would lead to a full-time return to writing and performing for a lyrical and highly gifted artist.

In recent times, Rafferty’s lifestyle was the epitome of the quiet life. As well as the home in Florence, the millionaire had a cottage in Dorset – but regularly visited Scotland.

He is survived by his brother Jim, daughter Martha and granddaughter Celia.

It is understood his funeral will be held in Paisley later this month.




Source:Dailymail