Singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty, best known for songs like “Baker Street” and “Stuck In The Middle With You,” has died after a long battle with liver disease. He was 63.
Rafferty passed away at his Dorest, UK home peacefully early Tuesday morning, with his daughter Martha by his side.
The British newspaper The Guardian notes that Gerry played with Billy Connolly's folk outfit the Humblebums, and co-founded the soft-rock group Stealers Wheel, before enjoying a successful solo career.
“Baker Street,” released in 1978, was still netting him $125,000 a year in royalties more than 30 years later.
Rafferty endured battles with the music industry – once taking three years to disentangle contracts – and a problem with alcohol.
In recent years, he was better known for alcohol-fuelled incidents, apparent disappearances and poor health than for his music. His last album, Another World, was released in 2000.
His former manager, Michael Gray, has written an obituary for the Guardian here.
Gerry Rafferty Stealers Wheel Stealers Wheel – Stuck In The Middle With You (1973)
