"[7] On weekends he and a classmate, future Stealers Wheel collaborator Joe Egan, played in a local group named the Maverix, mainly covering chart songs by groups such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. When you grow up on the west coast of Scotland, performing well vocally in front of your peers and your family is really important. Subsequent albums, such as Snakes and Ladders (1980), Sleepwalking (1982), and North and South (1988), fared less well, perhaps due partly to Rafferty's longstanding reluctance to perform live, with which he felt uncomfortable. Every album by The Cult ranked from worst to best, Ricky Warwick on The Almighty's wild and wonderful rock 'n' roll adventures: "We were the real deal. And Gerry would barge into their umbrella, shout Oh my god!, and as he hit the ground hed take his glass eye out and let it roll on the pavement. [3] Rafferty learned both Irish and Scottish folk songs as a boy. It remained at the top of the adult contemporary chart for four non-consecutive weeks. Gordon Laurie, director of the housing association behind the project, commented: "It is a fitting tribute to a brilliant musician who lives on through his music. Rafferty was becoming obnoxious with me. So the houses and the gardens got bigger, the distance to other people got further, and peoples attitude changes. In 2000, he told the Paisley Daily Express that the second Stealers Wheel album, released in 1974, had been named Ferguslie Park, after a deprived[56] area of Paisley, "to get as far away as possible from all the bullshit of the music industry in London. Bonnie Raitt recorded a reggae treatment of "Right Down the Line" for her Slipstream album released 10 April 2012. More recently, no less a modern figurehead than Harry Styles said on Later With Jools Holland that he felt the same way about Right Down The Line. According to guitarist Hugh Burns, Murphy's death was "a great blow to Gerry"[42] and marked the end of a creative partnership that had lasted almost 30 years. According to his former manager Jon Brewer, City to City was rejected by several record label executives because of Raffertys rudeness. How Many Hit Songs Did Gerry Rafferty Have? It must be a reason for you acting this way. It brought a tear to his eye, he said. [62] While the news stories focused on Rafferty's binges, they revealed nothing of the impact on his family and friends. But this is, broadly, the record he was making until a few months before his death from liver failure, and the feeling that emanates from it is the love for him from those who completed it, and the happy surprise of one final round of Raffertys superior song craft. However, Rafferty never jived with the music industry. He was in self-destruct mode. It was around this time, in the mid-60s, that Rafferty began to play in bands. I'm travelin' this long road to be with you. Whatever happened to Gerry Rafferty? Billy Connolly, his pre-fame pal from their days together in the Humblebums, is quoted as saying, Ive never heard Gerry sing so well. That's why he is a "Rolling Stone". [1] He is survived by his daughter, granddaughter Celia, and brother Jim. Gerald Rafferty (16 April 1947 4 January 2011) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. The mass was streamed live over the Internet. According to Jon Brewer, Rafferty's manager in the 70s, the answer is yes! "[38] His next album, North and South, was released in 1988. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. So, what went wrong? In 1978, he recorded his second solo album, City to City, which included "Baker Street", his most popular song. But just seven months after his tragic death, aged . Start your Independent Premium subscription today. He was a prominent star in the soft rock scene, breaking ground with international hits like Baker Street and Right Down The Line. Scott is the Content Director of Music at Future plc, responsible for the editorial strategy of online and print brands like Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Prog, Guitarist, Guitar World, Guitar Player, Total Guitar etc. [68] Fuschini claims she cared for the singer during 2009 and tried to help him overcome his alcoholism, and that he proposed to her at the Ritz Hotel in Paris on Christmas Eve that year. MARTHA RAFFERTY revealed she still finds it too painful to listen to Baker Street - her late father Gerry's most famous song. Subsequently, the reluctant singer canceled his upcoming US tour. [43][44] Through his company Icon Music, Rafferty promoted and sold the album independently on a website created specifically for the purpose. There are elegant versions of the time-honoured Wild Mountain Thyme and Dirty Old Town, as well as Richard and Linda Thompsons Its Just The Motion. BILLY Connolly breaks down as he remembers the final time he shared a joke with his friend and singing partner Gerry Rafferty. 2. He sat up a little and very. But a delightful moment occurred when I got to 'Lonesome Polecat'. Gerry Rafferty released ten solo albums throughout his career. Gerry Rafferty enjoyed some success with his group Stealers Wheel, particularly the single "Stuck In The Middle With You." However, after the band disbanded, legal issues meant Rafferty could not release any material for three years. So I had to get on to [A&M co-founder] Jerry Moss and say, Look: Ive been told that hes never going to record for you again and I need to get him off the label. Also in 1983, Rafferty announced his intention to take a break and devote more time to his family: "It dawned on me that since Baker Street I had been touring the world, travelling everywhere and seeing nowhere. Written while Rafferty was trying to extricate himself from his Stealers Wheel record contract, it's entirely autobiographical, capturing the rage of a hard-drinking working class Scot trudging. His background was soaked in Scottish socialism and poverty, his mind sharp and his personality acerbic, and he wasn't going to be dazzled by the glamour of success. If disco was the craze of the late 70s, Baker Street was the appetizer. Once the disputes were resolved, he released his smash hit "Baker Street." "Right Down The Line" is the follow up. All rights reserved. Why won't you talk to me? Gerry Rafferty was a popular music giant at the end of the '70s, thanks to the song "Baker Street" and the album City to City. [27] But it earned him another 1.5million, selling around three million copies in Europe and America. "[34] It was ironic that Raffertya lover and collector of religious icons, who would later name one of his publishing companies "Icon Music"[54]was also an iconoclast. Right Down The Line, his next single, held court at number one for four weeks in a row. "tar", 1. bo. Life in this local lane suited him well. And as long as it was supported by radio play, who could say that it wasnt a genuine hit? Menu. Gerry Rafferty was a tormented artist, a loving father, a funny prankster, and an inspiration. Rafferty came from Scottish coal-miner stock. 3. But for business, this want for home was too loud. He is from UK. And he played City To City and Baker Street a demo without the sax part. One more dream but its looking okay. The scorecard of one of British musics most treasured artists and saddest losses has just undergone a recount. His remains were then cremated at the Woodside Crematorium in Paisley[72] and his ashes scattered on Iona. "[20], "Baker Street" featured a distinctive saxophone riff played by Raphael Ravenscroft, although the origins of the solo have been disputed. Connelly described Rafferty as a spirited jokester. Rafferty drew a clear distinction between the artistic integrity of a musician, on the one hand, and the music industry's need to create celebrities and sell products, on the other. This song is every bit as Classic as Baker Street IMHO. According to Jon Brewer, Raffertys manager in the 70s, the answer is yes! He was a founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose biggest hit was "Stuck in the Middle with You" in 1973. Gerry Rafferty was a songwriter to his fingertips. Yes I get lonely when the sun gets low. "[25] Ravenscroft went on to play on Rafferty's next two albums. His drinking increased with commercial success and subsequent attempts to play out. He had been signed to A&M. Latest Analysis. You know I can't take this silence, tell me what's wrong with you. [50], After leaving St Thomas' Hospital, and while claiming he was in Tuscany, he was moving from one London hotel to another. He did it all wrecked five-star hotel rooms, was hospitalised after drinking binges . His career high came in the 1970s and included the anthemic Baker Street and Stuck in the Middle . In all, Mr. Rafferty sold more than 10 million albums over three decades. His solo hits in the late 1970s included "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", and "Night Owl". "He said to me, I cant stand the way you live, because you drive a Rolls Royce and you have this house and this and that He hated the music business and everything in it.. He also released 20 singles. Gerry Rafferty's songwriting genius deserves credit at the highest level-and an easy way to provide this credit would be to induct both Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan under "Stealer's Wheel/Gerry Rafferty," which would include the largest extent of Gerry Rafferty's work. They'll know where to find me." In the movies, Thor loses his eye in Thor: Ragnarok while battling his half-sister, Hela. Dailyrecord.co.uk. His peers, like Rab Noakes and Billy Connolly, all drank as well, but they were able to stop, because I dont think they had the same underlying issues., As she says, men of Raffertys generation simply didnt discuss mental health. And he certainly got that. 5 hit in 1979. By the late 70s, Brewer had had a hand in the early career of David Bowie, Alvin Lee and others and had a publishing company called Belfern Music. According to Murphy, interviewed a decade later: "Gerry had made three albums on the trot and I think he was pretty jaded at that time and feeling the pressure and he just thought, 'Well, I'll try another tack,' which is understandable". Rafferty released two further albums in the 1990s in what musician Tom Robinson later described as "a major return to form". One more face in a palace of mirrors. I sent it to Billy in the beginning, because I really wanted him to hear it, she confides. [39], According to his former wife Carla, who discouraged visitors: "He was just stalling for time. And what a tragedy, but no one chooses the way they die. And he had a panic attack in the streets of New York, and thought hed had a heart attack., Such was his discomfort with being the centre of attention on that trip, he took the sort of decision that gives music executives palpitations. The liner notes to the compilation album Right Down the Line, written by Jerry Gilbert with Rafferty's close co-operation, note his consistent refusal to tour the United States and "generally 'play the industry game'. "Baker Street" remains a mainstay of soft-rock radio airplay[24] and, in October 2010, it was recognised by the BMI for surpassing 5 million plays worldwide. "[42], Generally an autobiographical writer,[7] Rafferty returned to this theme often, in the lyrics of Stealers Wheel songs such as "Stuck in the Middle With You" and "Good Businessman", and later solo tracks like "Take the Money and Run" (from Night Owl), "Welcome to Hollywood" (from Snakes and Ladders), and "Sleepwalking" (from the album of the same name). Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. He said, You are not a good man! [5][11][38] In 1987, Rafferty and Murphy co-produced The Proclaimers first UK hit single "Letter from America". Updated 16:25, 23 NOV 2012. [20][21][22] As the singer recalled in a 1988 interview with Colin Irwin: "When I wrote the song I saw that bit as an instrumental part but I didn't know what. Gerry Raffertys promising partnership with Joe Egan as Stealers Wheel had ended after three albums and a US no.1 single in Stuck In The Middle With You. "[74], Other entertainers also paid tribute to Rafferty, with comedian and ex-bandmate Billy Connolly calling him "a hugely talented songwriter and singer who will be greatly missed" and musician Tom Robinson saying, "His early work with Stealers Wheel was an inspiration to a whole generation of songwriters in the 70s, including me. Martha went into the studio with vocal recordings by her father in various stages of completion. Politicians in attendance were the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond MSP, Wendy Alexander MSP, Hugh Henry MSP, and Robin Harper MSP. "Thats how they regulated the charts. This ballad perfectly portrayed the vibes as we faced a new decadesexy, moody, soft yet bold. One more time to watch the flow of the river. Rafferty had apparently not changed his will after meeting Enzina Fuschini in 2008 and left her nothing. If youve got money, the natural thing to do is to buy a bigger house, isnt it? [63], On 17 February 2009, The Guardian reported that Rafferty was in hiding in the south of England, being cared for by a friend. By then, Rafferty had purchased property in California to be near his daughter Martha. The song made No. But he went back to the UK, going through severe drinking binges in high-end hotels, and drawing much unwanted press. He was a very humble man. [60] According to Rafferty's ex-wife Carla: "There was no hope. [79], In October 2013, Peter Cameron released a biography of Rafferty entitled Stuck in the Middle with Gerry Rafferty, published by the independent publisher Linn. His girlfriend Enzina Fuschini said she "felt that he was under some sort of evil spell. I just wasnt ready emotionally. He was already married and had one daughter, Martha. I totally understand., The same scene play out at Island records: Gerry is left alone with owner Chris Blackwell and afterwards Blackwell collars Brewer and says, I would rather sign Gary Glitter than that man! [42] On a Wing and a Prayer (1992) reunited him with his Stealers Wheel partner Egan on several tracks. When he died, the world lost a superb singer-songwriter, but she lost a father, a self-confessed bipolar alcoholic and industry misfit, who despised the machinations of the business so much that he walked out on a US tour at the height of his success. The hypnotic saxophone, played by Raphael Ravenscroft, became so popular that saxophone sales reached an all-time high. Residence senior - Niort 79; Residence senior - Rochefort 17 I never intended making a career out of any of the jobs I did. He really cant stand anyone in the music industry, anyone in the music publishing industry, and all he wants to do is write songs for his daughter., So I go back to Gerry," says Brewer, "and say, Youve got to stop doing this were going to run out of record companies!. Rafferty had been diagnosed with liver cancer in August 2010. In September 2011, EMI issued a remastered collector's edition of City to City featuring previously unheard demo versions of "Baker Street", "Mattie's Rag", "City to City", and other tracks from the album. This was again on the Hypertension music label. Net Worth in 2022 . However, he explained in an interview, "But there was never anything else for me but music. That talent was repeatedly endorsed over the years by the likes of John Peel, Paul McCartney and Paul Simon, who expressed the wish that hed written Gerrys first hit in his days with the excellent Scottish band Stealers Wheel, Stuck In The Middle With You. This song was everywhere in 1978. A lot of the musicians hed worked with over the years remembered recording various parts of the tracks. It included three tracks co-written with Rafferty's brother Jim, also a singer-songwriter, who had been signed to Decca Records in the 1970s. United Artists Records, Catalogue 1192 (US Release), 1978. Gerry Rafferty was a talented singer-songwriter of the 1970s. Brewer took the album to the US where he got a meeting with Artie Mogull, who had then just bought United Artists with partner Jerry Rubinstein. You can take the boy out of Paisley but you can't take Paisley out the boy! After high school,. Rafferty played in The Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and comedian Billy Connolly. Rafferty maintained his enthusiasm for this new approach to recording for the next three years. And I went, Ill fund the album. [4] His Irish-born father, an alcoholic, was a miner and lorry driver who died when Rafferty was 16. For matters of the heart, what could be more beautiful? Hearing his perfect pitch and lush, folksy vocals, youd never think he was struggling. 'Can I Have My Money Back?' She portrayed her father as an autodidact with an "incredibly strong work ethic" and passion for books ("There were literally whole walls of book shelves at home and he'd read every single word. Maybe some new project would suddenly happen, but I knew he'd crossed the line as far as the record business went. The album concludes with a rootsy remake of Stuck In The Middle With You. It's been a huge earner for me. His wife is Carla Ventilla (1970 - 1990) ( divorced) ( 1 child) . You start to become aware that people who didnt care suddenly care a lot. Emotionally, I was ready. He has a flight to catch. . In a 2006 interview with The Times, Ravenscroft recalled the episode differently, claiming he was presented with a song that contained "several gaps". Let me meet Gerry.". "[5] Two decades later, speaking to the press after Rafferty's funeral, Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers confirmed Rafferty's dislike of celebrity: "He was not entirely comfortable with fame. He was a prominent star in the soft rock scene, breaking ground with international hits like Baker Street and Right Down The Line.Hearing his perfect pitch and lush, folksy vocals, you'd never think he was struggling.So, what went wrong?. Guitarist Richard Thompson helped by performing on the track "Take The Money and Run", and the title track was a UK No. [29] One of the lesser-known songs from that time is "Big Change in the Weather" (the B-side of "Baker Street"). But life in post-war Scotland was rough, and Gerry had to leave school at age 16 to help support the family. He remains relevant to artists of all ages, from Paul Simon to Harry Styles. And I don't plan to be in the public eye too much now either. He suffered a massive panic attack while on a press promo tour in New York for the album City To City. "[75] Speaking after the funeral, Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers said: "I think Gerry Rafferty was one of the few people who really successfully straddled the worlds of both folk and popular music. 28 in the US Top 40 in early 1979. Gerry Rafferty crowned the soft rock scene with this one. [65] Subsequently, Rafferty's spokesperson Paul Charles told The Independent that he had been in touch with Rafferty a fortnight previously and that he was alive and well but had no plans to either record or tour. Obituary, Gerry Rafferty. He felt in some ways thats what he had inherited, because his father was an alcoholic, and so on, probably through the generations., The impact of his drinking was insidious, but undeniable. He died of liver failure in 2011. Byrne was also responsible for one of Rafferty's most prized possessions: a hand-painted Martin acoustic guitar bearing his portrait and the name 'Gerry Rafferty', which features in many photographs of the singer. Im going to steal something from you., Now, Id always said to my staff, You must never involve yourself in a relationship with any of my artists or else Ill be forced to fire you. During November 2009, Rafferty released what would be his final album, Life Goes On. Four days later, my personal assistant suddenly disappeared. That just wasnt his world. Rafferty played in The Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and comedian Billy Connolly. [3], In October 2011, newspapers reported that Rafferty's immediate family were the beneficiaries of his 1.25million estate. When the elder shoppers put up their umbrellas, Gerry would accidentally bump into them and immediately shout and hit the ground. Why Gerry Rafferty Is A No-Brainer For The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The duo had a silly Saturday ritual in their hometown of Glasgow. I was very wary of all of that as a child, and I probably still am. John Byrne says: "Drinking powered some of his songs, it was beneficial.. News Release, PR Newswire, 27 November 2000. "[63][64], There were conflicting reports about what happened next. You kind of cant help but like it, or at least softly sway to it. After the duo separated in 1971, Transatlantic owner Nathan Joseph signed Rafferty as a solo performer. His next album, Night Owl, also did well. Speaking to The Independent newspaper later, the hotel's director commented: "It was such a shame. They would take to the busy shop streets on rainy days, looking for old ladies to prank. Heres how it works. Ms Fuschini said at the time: "We didn't have long together but we had an. The track was a hit in the UK, US and pretty much all around the record-buying world at. Another posting announced that Rafferty would begin to release music regularly as free downloads: "In reality, Gerry could put a new track out every two weeks or so. His mother worked at a weaving mill and often sang traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs to Rafferty and his two brothers. He saw the casualties as well, particularly the children of a lot of these famous people, and he didnt want that for our family. Rafferty took great pride in being able to sing well, Martha continues. I Can't Stop Now - (featuring Jimmy Tagford / Terry Cox / Barry Dransfield / Bernie Holland) 9. then no, he didn't. You still got that light in your eye. This upbeat adult contemporary hit climbed the charts in the US and UK in 1979. In War of The Realms #5, readers find Thor nailing himself to the World Tree which has taken up home. I wrote to Martin Wyatt at Anchor records and they said, We really want this, this record is fantastic, its a hit record. "Stuck in the Middle With You" has received over 4million plays worldwide, and "Right Down The Line" has had over 3million plays. [3][4] Rafferty loathed the 1992 dance music cover version of "Baker Street" by Undercover, describing it as "dreadful, totally banalit's a sad sign of the times". "[47] Finally, thanks to the Internet, it seemed Rafferty no longer needed the music industry: technology was allowing him to put his music directly in the hands of an appreciative audience. She hopes he will change but he doesn't. The next morning, she is heading home after sleeping with him and she is finally realizing he won't change and she has given up her best years on a guy who will never become what she hope he will be. Contributing artists included his friend Rab Noakes, The Proclaimers, Barbara Dickson, Ron Sexsmith, Jack Bruce, Paul Brady, Emma Pollock, James Vincent McMorrow and Betsy Cook. And whatll happen is, youll lose your audience. He passed away very peacefully and surrounded by his family." Gerry Rafferty was born on April 16, 1947, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. Rafferty felt he had matured as an artist, as he told the Evening Standard at the time of the release: "At my time of life, I don't want to be talking to 23-year-old record executives who are just trying to sell their products to 19-year-olds. Gerry Rafferty, the singer who wrote the 1978 hit Baker Street, is living in hiding in the south of England, being cared for by a friend, after his disappearance from St Thomas' hospital in. Gerry had a glass eye - I didn't know this until Billy told me this story - and they'd wait until it was really pouring and they'd go out and all the old girls would put up their umbrellas. [80], This article is about the singer. Gerry Rafferty signed up with Brewer and his production company funded the making of new album, City To City. This was the majority of the songs hed been working on as his next album, says Martha, a plain-speaking Scot who understands there may be a certain scepticism about a new record by her dad. Rafferty left St Mirin's Academy in 1963. For everybody whos worked on it, its been a really emotional process, says Martha. Songs like 'She Moves Through the Fair', which my mother sings beautifully. In a blog posting dated 31 March 2004 he wrote: "Let's get back to music: after all that's the only reason that this website has been set up." Gerry Rafferty 53 Vinyl 3 offers from $6.49 Product details Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : Yes Language : English Package Dimensions : 5.55 x 4.97 x 0.54 inches; 2.83 Ounces SPARS Code : DDD Date First Available : February 11, 2007 ASIN : B00004W9H7 Number of discs : 1 According to Murphy, interviewed by Billboard in 1993, he and Rafferty had to beg the record label, United Artists, to release "Baker Street" as a single: "They actually said it was too good for the public. Home and Dry reached up to slot 26 in the early part of the year. I've done nothing wrong that I can see. Rafferty and Ventilla divorced in 1990. All this ridiculous rhetoric thats bandied about. Later dubbed the Baker Street phenomenon, this saxophone revival showed up in film scores and even television commercials of the time. As he explained in a press release heralding the new record in November 2000: "My heart and soul have gone into this album, and by releasing it in this way my creative influence has not been diluted in any way. "[49] Only a handful of tracks were ever released, however, and the website eventually closed down without any explanation. That wasnt a very good career move. did gerry rafferty have a glass eye? He wouldnt sit in my Rolls, he wouldnt sit in my offices, we had to meet in these pubs and it all became very strange. Even more so than most people who work in this business, he saw it as not a good thing. "[77], In November 2012, Rafferty's hometown of Paisley paid tribute to the singer by naming a street in the Shortroods area "Gerry Rafferty Drive". In fact, most of what I played was an old blues riff. 'Hard Luck Stories' is by no means a straight albums re-issue collection. And for good reason. The collection of blues, rock, and folk demos had been planned for a new album before his death. ", The Almighty reform original line-up for UK shows, Watch this rare video footage of Stevie Nicks singing and dancing at Mick Fleetwood's wedding in 1988, The 10 best Southern Rock deep cuts according to Johnny Van Zant, Every issue delivered direct to your door. Saddest losses has just undergone a recount [ 64 ], in October why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye, newspapers reported Rafferty! Why won & # x27 ; s manager in the Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and partner. Closed Down without any explanation on a Wing and a Prayer ( 1992 ) him! Non-Consecutive weeks 1970 - 1990 ) ( 1 child ) talk to me suddenly happen, but I knew 'd. Just seven months after his tragic death, aged fact, most of what I played was an blues. Mother sings beautifully partner gerry Rafferty was 16 amp ; Roll Hall of Fame shout and hit ground! 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Line, his next album, life Goes on: Ragnarok while battling half-sister... Else for me but music will after meeting Enzina Fuschini said she `` felt that he struggling... ) ( divorced ) ( divorced ) ( divorced ) ( 1 child ), Thor loses his in! Could say that it wasnt a genuine hit [ 63 ] [ 64 ], according his. ( 1970 - 1990 ) ( divorced ) ( 1 child ) sent! Hospitalised after drinking binges in high-end hotels, and folk demos had been for... Three decades he is a No-Brainer for the next three years 's binges, they revealed nothing the. In their hometown of Glasgow a shame cremated at the time they revealed nothing of year! Billy Connolly breaks Down as he remembers the final time he shared a joke with his Stealers Wheel, biggest! Reached an all-time high, was hospitalised after drinking binges article is about the singer as the record went... Lorry driver who died when Rafferty was 16 aware that people who work in business. Popular that saxophone sales reached an all-time high be a reason for you acting way! Houses and the website eventually closed Down without any explanation the Realms # 5, readers Thor! Commercial success and subsequent attempts to play in bands founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose hit... To other people got further, and peoples attitude changes do is to buy a bigger house, isnt?! Us top 40 in early 1979 child, and the gardens got bigger, the natural thing to do to... Talented singer-songwriter of the river ; this long road to be in the Middle you... Throughout his career, from Paul Simon to Harry Styles the 1970s and included the anthemic Street! To Harry Styles folk songs to Rafferty and his ashes scattered on.! Tell me what & # x27 ; Lonesome Polecat & # x27 ; but life in post-war Scotland rough... Much now either before his death death, aged half-sister, Hela # x27 this.