“Baker Street” singer Gerry Rafferty dies, age 63

LONDON,  (Reuters Life!) – Scottish singer-songwriter  Gerry Rafferty, whose 1970s hits include “Baker Street” and  “Stuck in the Middle With You,” has died at age 63, his agent  said today.
“I can confirm that Gerry very sadly passed away,” Paul  Charles said in an email, giving no further details.

Gerry Rafferty
Gerry Rafferty

British media reported that Rafferty died peacefully at  home with his daughter Martha by his side. He had battled a  drinking problem and spent time in hospital at Bournemouth in  the south of England, with liver failure, the BBC reported.
Rafferty was born in Paisley, Scotland, and played in  several bands before forming the folk rock outfit Stealers  Wheel in 1972.
The group’s eponymous debut album featured “Stuck in the  Middle With You,” a hit single that enjoyed a new lease of life  when it was was used in Quentin Tarantino’s movie “Reservoir  Dogs.”
Stealers Wheel broke up in 1975, but three years later  Rafferty released the solo album “City to City” which produced  the song “Baker Street” and sold millions of copies worldwide.
In October, “Baker Street,” which includes the famous  saxophone solo, was recognized by the royalty collection  organization BMI for more than five million plays globally.
“Stuck in the Middle With You” has been aired more than  four million times.