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Gerry Rafferty, Baker Street singer dies
15 years ago
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPxs212oAyU
Baker Street reached No.2 in the USA in 1978. I loved this song when it came out, and always jammed to it when it came on.
Indeed, Rafferty's musical persona fostered that sense of easy-going nonchalance. "Baker Street," culled from his first post-Stealers Wheel solo album, City to City, exuded that unassuming persona in its nostalgic narrative about a Londoner's fondness for his hometown environs. The searing solo from saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft elevated the melody with a rock steady riff and gave the song an instant infectiousness that ultimately took it to the top of the charts, selling millions of records and dominating the airwaves for much of 1978. A follow-up effort, Night Owl, rode on its successor's momentum, but while Rafferty continued to record well into the '90s, his later efforts brought diminished returns.
From Wiki: After the disputes were resolved in 1978, he recorded his second solo album, City to City, which included the song with which he remains most identified, "Baker Street". The single reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 2 in the U.S. The album sold over 5.5 million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the U.S. on 8 July 1978. "Baker Street" featured a very distinctive saxophone solo by Raphael Ravenscroft which remains a mainstay of soft-rock radio airplay. In October 2010 the song was recognised by the BMI for surpassing 5 million plays worldwide. "Stuck in the Middle With You" has received over 4 million plays worldwide, and "Right Down The Line" has had over 3 million plays.
Nevertheless, that folk finesse remained intact, and those wistful vocals still entice. Ultimately, Rafferty's legacy will likely always be confined to that sole solo hit, aided and abetted by the fact that it remains a staple on oldies radio and the odd commercial and film soundtrack (It appeared prominently in Quentin Tarrentino's Reservoir Dogs). He met a sad and ignominious demise after falling prey to an ongoing struggle with alcoholism, a battle that also cost him his marriage some 20 years ago.
I mentioned this to my wife Alisa. "Guess who died today?" I inquired, curious if she'd get the connection.
"Who?" "Gerry Rafferty. Ever hear of him?"
"Oh sure. The guy who did that song 'Baker Street.' What did he die of?"
"Alcoholism. A bad liver."
"That's a shame," she replied. "Great song though."
I suppose that's it then. One great song is all that's needed to create a brilliant epitaph. And in Gerry Rafferty's case, it served him well.
Baker Street reached No.2 in the USA in 1978. I loved this song when it came out, and always jammed to it when it came on.
Indeed, Rafferty's musical persona fostered that sense of easy-going nonchalance. "Baker Street," culled from his first post-Stealers Wheel solo album, City to City, exuded that unassuming persona in its nostalgic narrative about a Londoner's fondness for his hometown environs. The searing solo from saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft elevated the melody with a rock steady riff and gave the song an instant infectiousness that ultimately took it to the top of the charts, selling millions of records and dominating the airwaves for much of 1978. A follow-up effort, Night Owl, rode on its successor's momentum, but while Rafferty continued to record well into the '90s, his later efforts brought diminished returns.
From Wiki: After the disputes were resolved in 1978, he recorded his second solo album, City to City, which included the song with which he remains most identified, "Baker Street". The single reached No. 3 in the UK and No. 2 in the U.S. The album sold over 5.5 million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the U.S. on 8 July 1978. "Baker Street" featured a very distinctive saxophone solo by Raphael Ravenscroft which remains a mainstay of soft-rock radio airplay. In October 2010 the song was recognised by the BMI for surpassing 5 million plays worldwide. "Stuck in the Middle With You" has received over 4 million plays worldwide, and "Right Down The Line" has had over 3 million plays.
Nevertheless, that folk finesse remained intact, and those wistful vocals still entice. Ultimately, Rafferty's legacy will likely always be confined to that sole solo hit, aided and abetted by the fact that it remains a staple on oldies radio and the odd commercial and film soundtrack (It appeared prominently in Quentin Tarrentino's Reservoir Dogs). He met a sad and ignominious demise after falling prey to an ongoing struggle with alcoholism, a battle that also cost him his marriage some 20 years ago.
I mentioned this to my wife Alisa. "Guess who died today?" I inquired, curious if she'd get the connection.
"Who?" "Gerry Rafferty. Ever hear of him?"
"Oh sure. The guy who did that song 'Baker Street.' What did he die of?"
"Alcoholism. A bad liver."
"That's a shame," she replied. "Great song though."
I suppose that's it then. One great song is all that's needed to create a brilliant epitaph. And in Gerry Rafferty's case, it served him well.
Thanks for the childhood memories too ni-chan! XD Though I didn't hear that song until the early 80s XD I was 1 year old (and some change) when that song was out! X3