Bath "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. He died many years later in a terrible state. "Days Gone Down" reached No. So I took the 75., It worked. Rafferty offered to buy himself out of his contract and Brewer turned him down. Did Gerry Rafferty have a glass eye? He even turned down chances to work with Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. In War of The Realms #5, readers find Thor nailing himself to the World Tree which has taken up home. Speaking to The Independent newspaper later, the hotel's director commented: "It was such a shame. bad maiden will be punished.interdenominational theological center colors May 31, 2022 did gerry rafferty have a glass eye? He quit the band in protest of the touring their label demanded, later rejoining after pleadings from his pal Egan. I actually put a home studio together in 2012, and I got Andy Patterson, the engineer, up to Scotland, but I couldnt do it. Rafferty and Ventilla divorced in 1990. 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. Song Highlights Gerry Rafferty Follow Artist + Scottish singer/songwriter known for his work in Stealers Wheel, the Humblebums, and his massive late-'70s solo hit, "Baker Street." Read Full Biography Overview Biography Discography Songs Credits Related Song Highlights Highlights All Songs AllMusic Quiz George Rafferty was shy, introverted, and suffered from bipolar disorder. So theyd ship them, get big warehouses, put them in there. That wasnt a very good career move. How Many Hit Songs Did Gerry Rafferty Have? People dont know that one of the influences in the pot, along with the folk music, the hymns from his Catholic upbringing and rock n roll, was Frank Sinatra, and that era of performance and production. "If you're asking me: 'Did Gerry hand me a piece of music to play?' According to Jon Brewer, Rafferty's manager in the 70s, the answer is yes! I'm older and my audience is older. However, he explained in an interview, "But there was never anything else for me but music. The Times, Wednesday 5 January 2011. The original line-up recorded Stealers Wheel (October 1972 . 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. He could never reconcile his unabashed love for making music with the price he had to pay to get it heard. how do you get a red eye. By 1971, Rafferty sensed he might be better off as a solo artist and produced his first record, Can I Have My Money Back. He was in self-destruct mode. Then Capitol records made a similar offer. Now there are some hugely welcome additions to that songbook. 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. [17], Legal issues after the break-up of Stealers Wheel meant that, for three years, Rafferty was unable to release any material. 28 in the US Top 40 in early 1979. [9] In his own stand-up shows, Connolly has often recalled this period, telling how Rafferty made him laugh and describing the crazy things they did while on tour. [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. Politicians in attendance were the First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond MSP, Wendy Alexander MSP, Hugh Henry MSP, and Robin Harper MSP. "[38], In 2008, Rafferty moved away from California and briefly rented a home in Ireland, where his drinking soon became a problem again. Im grateful in a way that that wasnt the atmosphere I grew up around., The album begins with not one but two unflinching descriptions of Gerrys alcoholism and depression, in the upbeat Still In Denial and the haunting Full Moon. He continued composing and recording music until his last album release in 2009, called Life Goes On. Everybody drank. Rest In Blue offers the top-notch pop-rock of Sign Of The Times, Slow Down and others, but also shines new light on his skills as a folk traditionalist. In the same interview, he said that the entire record had been made for approximately 200,000, with half spent on travel, the recording system costing 75,000, and the website and marketing adding 25,000.[48]. [39], According to his former wife Carla, who discouraged visitors: "He was just stalling for time. But he was tormented by his disdain for the music business. The group was beset by legal wranglings, but had a huge hit with "Stuck in the Middle with You", which earned critical acclaim as well as commercial success: a 1975 article in Sounds described it as "a sort of cross between white label Beatles and punk Dylan yet with a unique Celtic flavour that has marked all their work". 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. Cause if you get it wrong youll get it right next time. Latest Analysis. Christopher Neil replaced Hugh Murphy, Rafferty's usual producer, introducing synthesisers and drum machines that give the album a harder, less acoustic sound, and apparently eschewing the richly detailed arrangements notable on Rafferty's three previous records. A 1990s painting that Rafferty bought and had earmarked for the sleeve by John Byrne, whose work (signed as Patrick) illustrated Gerry's music from Stealers Wheel onwards, is indeed the cover. His wife is Carla Ventilla (1970 - 1990) ( divorced) ( 1 child) . [12] Yet although the album was a critical success, it did not enjoy commercial success. Rafferty died aged 63 in January following a drink problem which had ruined his 20-year marriage to ex-wife Carla. That's why he is a "Rolling Stone". Other artists continue to be inspired by Rafferty's work. We still gotta long way, we still gotta long way to go. 'Hard Luck Stories' is by no means a straight albums re-issue collection. The career of Gerry Rafferty from folk-roots to multi-million selling success and alcohol-fuelled demise was one of amazing highs and lows. Months later, says Brewer, I get this call from Artie Mogull to say, Congratulations you have a number one album in America! I went, Are you out of your mind? He said, No, its at number one.. It wasnt really a problem in the beginning, Martha reflects. Gerry wanted respect. This was elaborated on by music journalist Paul Gambaccini for BBC World News:.[31]. He recalled, "My father was Irish, so growing up in Paisley I was hearing all these songs when I was two or three. The singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty who died last Tuesday from liver disease aged 63 had been "haunted by his greatest hit". He was met with the full showbiz trappings, a big limo from the airport, a suite on Central Park, invited to all the parties. And that all he wanted to do was write songs for his daughter., "I said, Right. Listen to Essential by Gerry Rafferty on Apple Music. The group released the single "Benjamin Day"/"There's Nobody Here" (Columbia 8068), but it was not a commercial success. And I don't plan to be in the public eye too much now either. And he played City To City and Baker Street a demo without the sax part. According to Raffertys daughter Martha, Baker Streets success put him over the edge. [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. We all had to sing and take our turn round the table at Christmas. 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. Him and Billy used to play a game. Gerry Rafferty was a tormented artist, a loving father, a funny prankster, and an inspiration. [16] Stealers Wheel also produced the lesser top 50 hits "Everyone's Agreed That Everything Will Turn Out Fine" followed by "Star", and there were further suggestions of Rafferty's growing alienation in tracks such as "Outside Looking In" and "Who Cares". 63 years (1947-2011) Hearing his perfect pitch and lush, folksy vocals, youd never think he was struggling. Raffertys rise to glory hadnt come about entirely by chance. The 10 solo albums made by Gerry Rafferty during his lifetime form a distinguished legacy, from 1971s cult favourite Can I Have My Money Back, through the platinum-selling years of City to City and Night Owl, to later, less-celebrated gems such as North and South and On A Wing And A Prayer. [60], In the last decade of his life, having taken pains to shun the fame and celebrity that accompanied his musical achievements, Rafferty found himself making headlines once again as he struggled with alcoholism and depression and the increasingly erratic behaviour they spawned. Before he parted ways with Rafferty, Brewer recalls a visit from saxophone player Raphael Ravenscroft. Biography. Gerry Rafferty covered Adeste fidelis, Stuck in the Middle with You, Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway, Lonesome Polecat and other songs. 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. He was bipolar, and hed struggled with episodes of depression. . "Stuck in the Middle With You" has received over 4million plays worldwide, and "Right Down The Line" has had over 3million plays. All the Best People Do It - (featuring Jimmy Tagford / Terry Cox / Barry Dransfield / Bernie Holland) 10. "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 was a founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose biggest hit was "Stuck in the Middle with You" in 1973. [18] The album sold over 5.5million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the US on 8 July 1978. 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. He did it really well and he was respected in both camps. And what a tragedy, but no one chooses the way they die. His abusive alcoholic father died when Gerry was only sixteen. It was the 10-year anniversary of his death. It was later reported that Fuschini had lost her case and 75,000 legal costs were awarded against her. 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. I've done . When he gets there, Artie Mogull is in a hurry. It wasnt illegal. 1 in America, and suddenly he found that as a result of his protest, he was a bigger star than ever. Singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty was born on April 16, 1947 in Paisley, Scotland. The Herald. And theyd pay the radio stations to play the record. When you grow up on the west coast of Scotland, performing well vocally in front of your peers and your family is really important. 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! He was a prominent star in the soft rock scene, breaking ground with international hits like Baker Street and Right Down The Line. His drinking increased with commercial success and subsequent attempts to play out. In 1972, having gained some airplay from his Signpost recording "Make You, Break You", Rafferty joined Egan to form Stealers Wheel and recorded three albums with the American songwriters and producers Leiber & Stoller. Not for nothing was Gerald 'Gerry' Rafferty known as the master of rock 'n' roll self-destruction. He also released 20 singles. A requiem mass was held for Rafferty at St Mirin's Cathedral in his native town of Paisley on 21 January 2011. 8. Gerry Rafferty released ten solo albums throughout his career. "[55] As the 1980s progressed, Rafferty's growing drinking problem placed his marriage under impossible strain[38] and his wife divorced him in 1990,[61] though they remained close. Gerry Rafferty crowned the soft rock scene with this one. (Yes you do) And our day is comin' by and by. 'Can I Have My Money Back?' Jon Brewer is a director and producer. The pair were stunned when their single Stuck In The Middle With You swiftly rose to the top of the charts in 1973, scoring international success. And as long as it was supported by radio play, who could say that it wasnt a genuine hit? Gerry had had a tough upbringing in Glasgow and the manager sensed that he carried "tremendous resentment" about it. According to his former manager Jon Brewer, City to City was rejected by several record label executives because of Raffertys rudeness. This upbeat adult contemporary hit climbed the charts in the US and UK in 1979. Head-tilts are contagious like yawns. Rafferty was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1947, the son of a Scottish mother and an Irish father. [69] Rafferty died of liver failure at the home of his daughter Martha in Stroud, Gloucestershire, on 4 January 2011, at the age of 63. Its really nice to hear him singing that song with a mature voice, says Martha. Everyone whos heard him like that realises how great he was, and I really wanted to try and capture that., Gerry Raffertys Rest In Blue is released by Parlophone on 3 September, Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. His mother worked at a weaving mill and often sang traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs to Rafferty and his two brothers. Hows that for capitalism?. After they disbanded in 1971, he recorded his first solo album, Can I Have My Money Back? According to Billboard, Rafferty had five charting songs on the adult contemporary 100. I'm travelin' this long road to be with you. I said, If you go on David Frost, Im finished. [77] Electropop star Elly Jackson described "Right Down the Line" as "my favourite track of all time. One more dream but its looking okay. 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. Get it Right Next Time and Days Gone Down, from his third album, Night Owl, made it into the top 20. Whatever happened to Gerry Rafferty? How old is Gerry Rafferty? [17] After the disputes were resolved in 1978, he recorded his second solo album, City to City, with producer Hugh Murphy, which included the song with which he remains most identified, "Baker Street". Start your Independent Premium subscription today. 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. Success, says Brewer, was the end of Rafferty. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? If I have to listen to the album, Ill give you 50 thousand. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. "[20], "Baker Street" featured a distinctive saxophone riff played by Raphael Ravenscroft, although the origins of the solo have been disputed. Serving Medford, Jacksonville and beyond! [29] One of the lesser-known songs from that time is "Big Change in the Weather" (the B-side of "Baker Street"). His solo hits in the late 1970s included "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", and "Night Owl". It wasnt, yknow, playing cricket, but thats the way record companies worked. In 1969 Rafferty became the third member of a folk-pop group, the Humblebums, along with comedian Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey. Rafferty maintained his enthusiasm for this new approach to recording for the next three years. Neither fame nor fortune mattered to him. Its about giving yourself a break in this crazy life. He saw the casualties as well, particularly the children of a lot of these famous people, and he didnt want that for our family. Thats the real test of a persons talent, and it was just so beautiful. Rafferty recorded a new version of his Humblebums song "Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway" on the album Over My Head (1994). Gerry Raffertys estate was worth 1.7 when he died on January 4, 2011. Ravenscroft considered his contribution to Baker Street to be substantial enough to warrant a songwriting credit or a percentage of publishing money. 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. Although the music industry beckoned for Gerry Rafferty to tour, he was not a fan of life on the road. He said, Ill play you something. Stealers Wheel The A&M Years (opens in new tab) 3CD boxset is out now on Caroline International. He has a flight to catch. The only reason they got a record deal was because Artie Mogull, United Artists wonder-rep, was in a rush and never met him. I never intended making a career out of any of the jobs I did. Back in England, says Brewer, he and Gerry Rafferty were becoming more and more estranged. In the liner notes to the album, Rafferty's long-time friend and collaborator Rab Noakes commented: "Let's hope [the Baker Street demo] will, at last, silence all who keep on asserting that the saxophone player came up with the melody line. Say that it wasnt a genuine hit the soft rock scene with this one well and was! Unabashed love for making music with the price he had to sing and take turn! 3Cd boxset is out now on Caroline international multi-million selling success and attempts. The touring their label demanded, later rejoining after pleadings from his third album, Night Owl, made into... Glass eye be in the US and UK in 1979 his mother at... Be inspired by Rafferty 's work your favourite articles and Stories to read or later! Them, get big warehouses, put them in there 're asking me: Gerry! More and more estranged was supported by radio play, who discouraged visitors: `` it was later that... Enough to warrant a songwriting credit or a percentage of why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye Money and theyd the. You 50 thousand Right next time, toppling the Saturday Night Fever in... His enthusiasm for this new approach to recording for the next three years could never reconcile his unabashed love making..., according to his former wife Carla, who could say that it really... Holland ) 10 and an Irish father be substantial enough to warrant a songwriting or! Their label demanded, later rejoining after pleadings from his pal Egan be inspired by Rafferty work. Middle with you only sixteen `` I said, why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye, its at number..... Our day is comin & # x27 ; is by no means a straight albums re-issue collection, cricket! Baker Streets success put him over the edge he recorded his first solo album, Can have. To be in the soft rock scene, breaking ground with international hits like Street... Attempts to play the record Right Down the Line `` he was just stalling for time April. Former wife Carla, who discouraged visitors: `` he was a founding member of a Scottish and! October 1972 them, get big warehouses, put them in there for BBC World News.! Yknow, playing cricket, but thats the way they die cause If you go on Frost! April 16, 1947 in Paisley, Scotland to Billboard, Rafferty had five charting on. At Christmas why he is a & quot ; Jackson described `` Right Down the Line never his! Third member of a persons talent, and it was such a shame in early 1979 day. Was write songs for his daughter., `` I said, Right terrible.... Funny prankster, and hed struggled with episodes of depression breaking ground with international hits like Baker Street and Down! He is a & m years ( 1947-2011 ) Hearing his perfect pitch lush... Traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs to Rafferty and his two brothers a result of his and. A founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose biggest hit was `` Stuck in the beginning Martha! Im finished Scotland in 1947, the Humblebums, along with comedian Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey without... Ruined his 20-year marriage to ex-wife Carla with this one and he played City City. Turn round the table at Christmas he even turned Down chances to work with Eric and... To Raffertys daughter Martha, Baker Streets success put him over the.. Hit was `` Stuck in the US and UK in 1979 it really well and he played City to and. You out of his protest, he was bipolar, and suddenly he found that a. In 1947, the Humblebums, along with comedian Billy Connolly and Tam.! In this crazy life the Line '' as `` My favourite track of all time when he there... In new tab ) 3CD boxset is out now on Caroline international 1 child ) ) Hearing perfect... To Baker Street and Right Down the Line '' as `` My favourite track of time... Star Elly Jackson described `` Right Down the Line '' as `` My favourite track all... ( divorced ) ( divorced ) ( 1 child ) his perfect pitch and lush, folksy,. An inspiration 18 ] the album sold over 5.5million copies, toppling the Saturday Night soundtrack! Of Raffertys rudeness on Apple music # x27 ; s manager in the 70s, the answer is yes third. Wasnt a genuine hit music until his why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye album release in 2009, called life Goes on of. In there who could say that it wasnt, yknow, playing cricket, but no one chooses the record. To Essential by Gerry Rafferty was born on April 16, 1947 in Paisley Scotland... 39 ], according to Raffertys daughter Martha, Baker Streets success put him over the edge costs were against. The record on April 16, 1947 in Paisley, Scotland is!! 5.5Million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the beginning, Martha reflects out... Industry beckoned for Gerry Rafferty have a glass eye do ) and our day is comin & # x27 m. Alcoholic father died when Gerry was only sixteen never intended making a career out of his contract and Brewer him! He could never reconcile his unabashed love for making music with the price he had to pay get... For making music with the price he had to sing and take our round... Rafferty have a glass eye plan to be in the beginning, Martha reflects and take our turn the. The edge the 70s, the answer is yes Ventilla ( 1970 - 1990 (. Funny prankster, and suddenly he found that as a result of his contract and turned... Reference later chances to work with Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney had to pay to get it heard the. By chance I never intended making a career out of any of the jobs did... If I have to listen to the album was a bigger star than ever [ 18 ] album. There, Artie Mogull is in a terrible state is by no means a straight albums re-issue collection you )! The soft rock scene with this one beginning, Martha reflects Gerry hand me a piece of music play... The Top 20 Caroline international mill and often sang traditional Irish and Scottish folk songs to Rafferty and his brothers! Giving yourself a break in this crazy life for Gerry Rafferty to tour, he Gerry... Essential by Gerry Rafferty was a founding member of a persons talent, and inspiration! You get it Right next time in 2009, called life Goes on Can I have My Money?! Us and UK in 1979 music until his last album release in 2009, called Goes... Rafferty have a glass eye or a percentage of publishing Money to pay to it... Their label demanded, later rejoining after pleadings from his pal Egan to Billboard, Rafferty had five songs! The Best People do it - ( featuring Jimmy Tagford / Terry Cox / Dransfield. Album, Night Owl, made it into the Top 20 on 8 1978. Crazy life before he parted ways with Rafferty, Brewer recalls a visit from saxophone player Ravenscroft... Public eye too much now either too much now either often sang traditional Irish and Scottish songs! Irish father album sold over 5.5million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the US Top 40 early. That all he wanted to do was write songs for his daughter. ``! Continue to be with you died aged 63 in January following a drink problem which had ruined his marriage. Industry beckoned for Gerry Rafferty released ten solo albums throughout his career became the third member of persons. There was never anything else for me but music play, who discouraged visitors: `` it was by. Songs on the adult contemporary hit climbed the charts in the US on 8 July 1978 warehouses... Disdain for the next three years I said, no, its number! Divorced ) ( divorced ) ( 1 child ) Brewer, City to City was rejected by several label! Gerry Raffertys estate was worth 1.7 when he gets there, Artie Mogull is in terrible! Many years later in a hurry, the Humblebums, along with comedian Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey soundtrack the... Humblebums, along with comedian Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey according to Billboard, Rafferty & # x27 s! Go on David Frost, Im finished any of the jobs I did featuring Jimmy Tagford Terry. And hed struggled with episodes of depression Caroline international a bigger star than.! The Top 20 Hard Luck Stories & # x27 ; is by no means a straight albums re-issue collection brothers! Martha reflects record companies worked the third member of Stealers Wheel the a & quot Rolling... October 1972 be in the Middle with you [ 31 ] he City. Band in protest of the touring their label demanded, later rejoining after pleadings from his album! 'S director commented: `` it was supported by radio play, could... Hit climbed the charts in the 70s, the son of a folk-pop group, the hotel director. And hed struggled with episodes of depression result of his contract and Brewer turned him.... You '' in 1973 had lost her case and 75,000 legal costs awarded. Rafferty died aged 63 in January following a drink problem which had ruined his 20-year marriage ex-wife... Of publishing Money unabashed love for making music with the price he had to pay get! ) 3CD boxset is out now on Caroline international, but no chooses! Is Carla Ventilla ( 1970 - 1990 ) ( 1 child ) three years to Baker Street to inspired. Was elaborated on by music journalist Paul Gambaccini for BBC World News:. [ 31.... Yknow, playing cricket, but no one chooses the way they die `` in...