Singer Gerry Rafferty Has Died

Singer Gerry Rafferty, known for 70s hits, Baker Street, and Stuck In The Middle With You, (Stealers Wheel) has passed away after a long illness.  He was 63.

According to the Guardian, Rafferty endured battles with the music industry – once taking three years to disentangle contracts – and a problem with alcohol. When he was a child his mother would drag him round the streets of Glasgow, rather than risk his suffering violence at the hands of his Irish-born father, who would often come home drunk.

Although sure of his own abilities, Rafferty was fearful of working with stars such as Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. On occasion his drinking would lead him to smashing cases of expensive wine.