Very Sad News, R.I.P.
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Gerry Rafferty Dead at Age 63
Posted on Jan 4th 2011 3:45PM by Derek Evers
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Gerry RaffertyEstate of Keith Morris / Redferns
Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty passed away today after a long battle with alcoholism and liver failure. He was 63.
Born Gerald Rafferty in Paisley, outside of Glasgow, Rafferty was best known for the hit 'Stuck in the Middle With You,' which he wrote with friend Joe Egan as part of the soft-rock group Stealers Wheel, and his 1978 solo hit, 'Baker Street.' 'Baker Street,' from his solo debut 'City to City,' was the highest charting single in his career, reaching No. 2 in the US and No. 3 in the UK. 'City to City' would go on to sell over 5 million copies, while both 'Baker Street' and 'Stuck in the Middle With You' remain in constant rotation on soft-rock radio to this day.
Despite his success and strong family ties, his life spiraled out of control due to constant struggles with alcoholism. His wife Carla divorced him in 1990 due to his drunken behavior, and his most recent press came from a drunken binge he had at a five-star London hotel -- an escapade that ended with him being admitted to a hospital from which he later disappeared. He would go on to release a statement saying he was "well," but Rafferty never went on to record any more albums.
In November of 2010, Rafferty was admitted to a hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset, suffering from liver failure. He was given little chance of survival, and was eventually taken off life support. He showed brief signs of improvement from time to time, but lived out his remaining days in critical care.
Gerry Raffery is survived by a daughter Martha, his granddaughter, Celia, and brother, Jim.
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