Gerry Rafferty remembered

By John Kilbride

While remembered at his peak as one of Scotland's greatest singer-songwriters, Gerry Rafferty's story is a tragic one, of a talent mired in alcoholism and success that proved short-lived on account of his long-running health issues.

Born in Paisley, Gerry Rafferty initially found fame as a folk singer, performing alongside Billy Connolly as part of the duo The Humblebums. Connolly's humorous monologues and the pair's songs established Connolly's reputation as a comedian and Rafferty's as a musician. The pair would release two albums before breaking up in 1970 to pursue their individual careers.

Rafferty was to release a solo album entitled Can I Have My Money Back?, before going on to form the band Stealer's Wheel in 1972 with former school friend from Paisley, musician Joe Egan. The band produced songs that were a British take on the American folk rock bands that were popular in the 1970s, a melodic radio-friendly sound that was to be a huge commercial success throughout the decade.

Their self-titled debut album, released in 1972, included the song Stuck in the Middle, which was to sell a million copies as a single. The album went into the top 50 in the USA.

The band went on to release another two albums, the second, Ferguslie Park, taking its name from the area in Paisley, and had another hit single with the song Star. However, the album failed to sell in the same quantity as its predecessor and the group disbanded shortly after their third, 1975's Right or Wrong.

Rafferty went on to a solo career, and his album City to City would be the high water mark of his career in both commercial and critical success. It would go to number one in the US, knocking the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever from the top position, and continue sell millions of copies over the following years.

The success of the album is no doubt due to the success of the song Baker Street, a top three hit in the UK and the US. The song is considered by many to be a classic of '70s rock. It combined a sophisticated and radio-friendly sound with a polished lyric, referring to the struggle of life in the big city, drinking to forget it, and the hope of rising above present circumstances to live a better life.

The song is also memorable on account of the saxophone playing on it, at the beginning, taking the place of a chorus in the song and at the end, following a particularly firey guitar solo. It is possibly one of the finest examples of the use of the instrument in a rock song.

International fame

Rafferty's success with Baker Street would not be repeated. It would, however, make him known internationally and make him a considerable amount of money in royalties over the years. By October 2010 it was recognised by the BMI for having had five million broadcast plays worldwide.

Subsequent singles from City to City would not match the success of Baker Street, and other albums which followed did not match the sales of this album. The title track of 1979's Night Owl made the top five and the album spent some time in the top 10.

His 1980 album Snakes and Ladders was to be his last top 20 album, and following 1982's Sleepwalking he was not to release any more for a period of six years.

Rafferty's reluctance to tour was one possible reason for his career tailing off commercially, but despite having a lower profile in the 1980s he remained influential, and was involved in the soundtrack of the film Local Hero and co-produced the Proclaimers hit Letter from America.

Other albums would follow at the end of the decade and in subsequent years, but failed to register commercially or critically. Rafferty's name became more associated in the media with reports surrounding his long-term issues with alcohol and related health problems.

There were reports of his entering rehab following health problems, claims that he was a missing person and conflicting reports about his wellbeing.

It was during this decline in his career that his work would get an unexpected boost, with director Quentin Tarantino using the Stealer’s Wheel song Stuck in the Middle for a memorable scene in the 1992 film Reservoir Dogs. The song became a hit with a new generation, and cover versions followed, including one that became a top five hit in the UK.

Meanwhile, Baker Street would continue to be included on many compilation CDs, whether those collecting the best of Scottish music, greatest hits of the 70s or rock classics. It would also be covered by the Foo Fighters, one of the present day's biggest rock acts.

However, the reports surrounding Rafferty's personal circumstances would eventually eclipse the release of what would prove to be his final album, 2009's collection Life Goes On. A collection of his favourite songs, it featured a number of previously-released tracks, a Beatles song, and an Irish folk song. It also included his interpretations of two Christmas carols. Despite being long-awaited, it was met with a mixed reaction from fans.

Despite his troubled life, Gerry Rafferty will be remembered as one of Scotland's most talented songwriters and performers, whose work will be remembered for years to come.

EXTENDED VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH SCOTTISH STAR