Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs and Gerry Rafferty. City to City - HeraldScotland His most recent film, Beside Bowie The Mick Ronson Story, is released soon on DVD. The deeply introspective lyrics of Sleepwalking suggest Rafferty found success far from glamorous: tracks like "Standing at the Gates", "Change of Heart", and "The Right Moment" suggest the singer was exhausted, burnt-out, and desperately seeking a new direction and continued his long-running theme of alienation. Its important to understand that. Although Richard Thompson eventually rejected the Gerry Rafferty version of SHOOT OUT THE LIGHTS as too commercial . There was a generation gap and a culture gap, too. [20][21][22] As the singer recalled in a 1988 interview with Colin Irwin: .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, "When I wrote the song I saw that bit as an instrumental part but I didn't know what. "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.. The disputed history behind Gerry Raffertys 1978 hit. was a flop. Id got married, had a child, I was twenty-four, and one day it was like Id been living in a dream for six or eight years and suddenly I woke up. I said, If you give him 5 million, youll never get another album Its the worst thing you can do. Bonnie Raitt recorded a reggae treatment of "Right Down the Line" for her Slipstream album released 10 April 2012. If your local library has signed up with Rock's Backpages, please enter your card number below: Becoming a subscriber is easy. Gerry Rafferty Buy album Year of Release: 1978 Appears in: 141 charts Rank Score: 881 Rank in 1978: 35 Rank in 1970s: 375 Overall Rank: 1,918 Average Rating: 76 (159 votes) Comments: 8 2. this can result in this site earning a commission. It was the days of payola and the days of sheds being filled with records and all sorts of things, says Brewer. Bath From what shes said, I believe Linda was quite happy to have Gerrys hands on her, for a time. Remembering Gerry Rafferty, rock's most reluctant star Gerry Rafferty in Amsterdam, 1972. unrestricted remote and on-site access to each text and audio file in the database. He told me that he and Marcus had been best friends at a time and wanted to know what the connection to Steve Marcus was, since Ravenscroft is listed as the saxophonist on Baker Street. When I replied that Raffertys song sounded suspiciously familiar to Marcuss song Half a Heart, he didnt buy it on principle. One new note does creep in: a hint of gospel music -particularly on The Ark -and with this, a sense of hard-won peace. [3] Rafferty learned both Irish and Scottish folk songs as a boy. Speaking to The Independent newspaper later, the hotel's director commented: "It was such a shame. Maybe I should have realised, but I didn't. According to Rafferty's daughter Martha, it was around this time that her father discovered, by chance, Colin Wilson's classic book The Outsider, about alienation and creativity, which became a huge influence both on his songwriting and his outlook on the world: "The ideas and references contained in that one book were to sustain and inspire him for the rest of his life. All content on the site is the property of Rock's Backpages and protected by copyright laws. 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. [4], Rafferty left St Mirin's Academy in 1963. The music itselfthe orchestration, so to speak compliments the lyric in a perfect way. Has he undergone, by any chance, a religious experience? Gerry Rafferty at home. In a blog posting dated 31 March 2004 he wrote: "Let's get back to music: after all that's the only reason that this website has been set up." Gerry was one of those guys that had been turned down by every record company. [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. She wont have much time to correct her ignorance, however, because Rafferty is rushing off to L.A. and another round of press interviews. Rafferty recorded his first solo album, Can I Have My Money Back?, with Hugh Murphy, a staff producer working for the label. He never let "Baker Street" be used for advertising, despite lucrative offers. Rafferty confirms the contrast between then and now. No matter the true genesis of its sax riff, the song still endures. His background was soaked in Scottish socialism and poverty, his mind sharp and his personality acerbic, and he wasn't going to be dazzled by the glamour of success. And heres five grand, in cash, to help you.. "[55], Rafferty never changed his mind about the music business; if anything, his views hardened. But extricating himself from his management deal took Rafferty three more years, during which he commuted unhappily to London from the town outside Glasgow where he and his family still reside. It's been a huge earner for me. [citation needed], During November 2009, Rafferty released what would be his final album, Life Goes On. We use cookies to help provide you with the best possible online experience. He really cant stand anyone in the music industry, anyone in the music publishing industry, and all he wants to do is write songs for his daughter., So I go back to Gerry," says Brewer, "and say, Youve got to stop doing this were going to run out of record companies!. "[63][64], There were conflicting reports about what happened next. We will keep you informed of developments as they happen. Him and Billy used to play a game. In fact, most of what I played was an old blues riff. Gerry Rafferty 1 of 3 (Rare 2003 Interview) - YouTube Still, some would consider Raffertys decision not to tour America until next March, long after the excitement generated by Baker Street will have dissipated, an imprudent career move. And theres still another wrinkle on the other side of the pond. Its fellow honorees that yearCome Together, Candle in the Wind, and Build Me Up Buttercupdeliver some sense of the songs real reach. Isnt that interesting because I definitely did not compose it. The jazz-rock fusion album was almost exclusively of cover songs such as The Beatles title track. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The liner notes to the compilation album Right Down the Line, written by Jerry Gilbert with Rafferty's close co-operation, note his consistent refusal to tour the United States and "generally 'play the industry game'. Remembering Gerry Rafferty, rock's most reluctant star. For me, singing and writing is very therapeutic. He then worked in a butcher's shop, as a civil service clerk, and in a shoe shop. I would never have left him if there'd been a glimmer of a chance of him recovering. He said, You are not a good man! According to Burns, a lot of the songs that seem to have some longevity tend to feature, for the most part, real instruments. For a while, the saxophone was a key feature of that dynamic. After listening to the two songs side-by-side, I have to say they are close enough that it seems almost certain that the British saxophone player [Ravenscoft] must have heard Steves record. He added that since Half a Heart came out 10 years before Baker Street, someone must have heard the record. 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. Subscriptions to Rocks Backpages are available for institutional or personal use. It disappeared., But when we spoke on the phone later, hed changed his mind. 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. And a whole suite of Irish traditional songs and Scots traditional songs". "[77], In November 2012, Rafferty's hometown of Paisley paid tribute to the singer by naming a street in the Shortroods area "Gerry Rafferty Drive". "[55] As the 1980s progressed, Rafferty's growing drinking problem placed his marriage under impossible strain;[38] his wife divorced him in 1990,[61] although they remained close. And managers cant fucking tell you whats best for you in terms of when you should do gigs, rates and so on. [34] According to Michael Gray, Rafferty's personal manager at the height of his success, he turned down many opportunities to work with other artists:[38] " he retained a healthy scepticism not just about the music industry but about society, money and politics in general. If you feel uncomfortable with it you shouldn't do it. People werent quite used to that., Of course, theres also something about the saxophone. Thats why I especially liked the Everly Brothers.. "[53] Billy Connolly agrees that Rafferty had different priorities: "I wanted success and fame and I got it, to a degree. But depending on whom you ask, the intrigue doesnt quite end there. They'll know where to find me." According to Michael Gray, the singer's personal manager in the early 1980s: "It never occurred to me in all the time I knew him that he was heading for alcoholism. At first it was part of the melody, and Rafferty reckoned hed sing it. (Singer/songwriters were crawling out of every apartment at that time.) But two of the initial recruits deserted before they even recorded, and as musicians came and went, Stealers Wheel deteriorated into Rafferty and Egan backed by a cast of dozens. A gospel -influenced love song inspired by the weary resignation of a relationship that has run its course, this moving masterpiece has all the style . I went to the studio after I played the gig and I think one of the first songs we played was Baker Street. And I said, This is fantastic. [31], "His song "Baker Street" was about how uncomfortable he felt in the star system, and what do you know, it was a giant world hit. 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. But Gerry Rafferty is wearing a button warning, Dangerous Times Ahead, and hes known bad times in the past as well. He hated capitalism. And I don't plan to be in the public eye too much now either. Breaks Down His Killer White House Correspondents Dinner Set, Bernie Sanders: Many GOP Leaders 'Don't Even Believe in Democracy'. Stuck In The Middle With You had Joe Egan miming Gerrys lead vocal as he had left the band by the time they shot it. 28 in the US Top 40 in early 1979. Rafferty was born on 16 April 1947 into a working-class family of Irish Catholic origin in Underwood Lane in Paisley,[1] a son and grandson of coal miners. Joel Whitburn, "The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (6th Edition)", p. 493. Click here for academic and other group subscriptions. Many of them collaborated with Rafferty (who plays rhythm guitar and rudimentary keyboards) on an excellent but little-noted 1971 solo album, Can I Have My Money Back? It also included a few original compositions, including a song called Half a Heart. The first nine seconds may give you chills. "You were very lucky to get that interview because he didn't do many. He had been signed to A&M. Gerry Rafferty: Folk Roots Interview (1988) - Redstone Tech Ravenscroft considered his contribution to Baker Street to be substantial enough to warrant a songwriting credit or a percentage of publishing money. Billy Connolly recalls his first impressions of Gerry Rafferty. In the summer of 1978, Gerry Rafferty's song "Baker Street" became a top-five hit in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. . [4], Rafferty grew up in a council house in the town's Ferguslie Park, in Underwood Lane, and was educated at St Mirin's Academy. Shortly after news of the singer's death, Lily Allen tweeted the message "Rest in Peace Gerry x" with a video link to the song "Right Down the Line", reputedly one of her favourite music tracks. [26] In a 2003 interview with The Sun (Scotland), Rafferty commented on how profitable his biggest song had been: "Baker Street still makes me about 80,000 a year. 4: Whatever's Written In Your Heart (from 'City To City', 1978) If there's one song that proves Gerry Rafferty's peerless songwriting ability, it's Whatever's Written In Your Heart. the Amazon Associates Program via amazon.com. Gerry Rafferty - Interesting stories about famous people, biographies [3] It was the third release from Rafferty's City to City LP as the follow-up to his first major hit as a solo artist, "Baker Street". [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. He didn't know how good he was. He praises Carla for helping him through all the bad times and tells her every day he loves her more and more. Well do 4-3-2. They said, What? I said, 4% from the first album, 3% from the next album and 2% from the album after that, I wont disclose how much I earned, but it was a substantial amount of money.. [48], Rafferty maintained his enthusiasm for this new approach to recording for the next three years. . He recalled, "My father was Irish, so growing up in Paisley I was hearing all these songs when I was two or three. It's much more effective than taking Prozac!" [citation needed], Also in 1983, Rafferty announced his intention to take a break and devote more time to his family: "It dawned on me that since Baker Street I had been touring the world, travelling everywhere and seeing nowhere. Before he parted ways with Rafferty, Brewer recalls a visit from saxophone player Raphael Ravenscroft. Marcus passed away in 2005 and none of the tributes to him seem to make mention of it. At thirty-one, hes clearly overcome much of the anger he felt as a younger man toward both women and the music business. by Celtic fusion artist Martyn Bennett. [45], Another World, released in 2000, was originally available only via direct order from his website,[46] but since 2003 has been available on the Hypertension label. Barry Recap: A Tragic Death Shakes Up Bill Haders Dark Satire Singer, who would pass away in 2011, is sitting on top of the world as he gives this interview in New York City's Plaza Hotel, Gerry Raffertys Baker Street Blues: Rolling Stones 1978 Feature, You Are Grimes Now: Inside Music's Weird AI Future, Pharrells Something in the Water Fest Cancels Final Day Due to Severe Weather, Stagecoach: Kane Brown Breaks Mental Health Stigma With 'Memory,' Talks Depression, Kiss Paul Stanley Has 'Thoughts' About Parents Who Support Kids Gender Identities, Kanye West Fallout Sparks Class Action Lawsuit Against Adidas, Roy Wood Jr. [80], This article is about the singer. Gerald Rafferty (16 April 1947 4 January 2011) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. There is a mid-Atlantic blandness lurking behind the rococo roots veneer. 1 on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts in the US. Rafferty has been a one-hit wonder before, five years ago, when Stealers Wheel topped the charts with Stuck in the Middle with You. Stealers Wheel was led by Rafferty and Joe Egan, friends since both were sixteen-year-olds playing in bands in their hometown of Paisley, a bleak industrial city near Glasgow. Some of these old ladies used to pass out. "[25], Ravenscroft went on to play on Rafferty's next two albums. Also, according to legend, he was only paid 27 for his contribution, while Rafferty was said to have made 80,000 in annual royalties until his death in 2011. Guitarist Richard Thompson helped by performing on the track "Take The Money and Run", and the title track was a UK No. [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". He has the cautious fatalism of a coal miner, the trade both his father and grandfather pursued. He was so rude about his fanbase, about the American people and going on the road, that at the end of the day, that was it it was all over. After the duo separated in 1971, Transatlantic owner Nathan Joseph signed Rafferty as a solo performer. Right Down the Line - Wikipedia [15] Twenty years later, the song was used prominently in the 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs; Rafferty refused to grant permission for its re-release. Rafferty and Fuschini rented a large home together in Upton, near Poole. Curiously though, the composition of Half a Heart is credited to Gary Burton, a vibraphonist and composer, who went to Berklee College of Music with Marcus in the early 1960s and lived down the block from him when the two moved from Boston to New York to start their music careers. Featuring 18 tracks, the album contains six new recordings, covers of Christmas carols, plus also some traditional songs that had previously been available on the Gerry Rafferty website. "[5] Two decades later, speaking to the press after Rafferty's funeral, Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers confirmed Rafferty's dislike of celebrity: "He was not entirely comfortable with fame. "[5], In 1995, Rafferty was deeply affected by the death of his older brother Joseph, an event from which family and friends said he never fully recovered. Rock's Backpages is the world's most comprehensive online database of pop music writing, a unique resource unavailable elsewhere online. Scott is the Content Director of Music at Future plc, responsible for the editorial strategy of online and print brands like Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer, Prog, Guitarist, Guitar World, Guitar Player, Total Guitar etc. This article appeared in the August 24, 1978 issue of Rolling Stone. Mainly philosophy, art, religion, psychology and many a biography."). 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And he now had more of what he didn't like. ), Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. "[35], Based at 16th-century[36] Tye Farm in Hartfield, near the Kent-Sussex border, Rafferty installed electric gates to protect his privacy, built a recording studio, and worked largely by himself[37] or with Murphy. Theres no question about that either. Rafferty says working with the legendary authors of Hound Dog and producers of (among others) the Coasters was trying. Rafferty and Joe Egan formed the group Stealers Wheel in 1972 and produced several hits, most notably "Stuck in the Middle with You" and "Star". [79], In October 2013, Peter Cameron released a biography of Rafferty entitled Stuck in the Middle with Gerry Rafferty, published by the independent publisher Linn. Thats the price I paid for being Gerry Raffertys manager.. Joseph Rafferty died when Gerry was just sixteen, but if he bequeathed anything to his last-born son it was an affinity for songs in the Irish and Scottish folk tradition. His solo hits in the late 1970s included "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", and "Night Owl". He wouldnt sit in my Rolls, he wouldnt sit in my offices, we had to meet in these pubs and it all became very strange. [73], Newspapers printed lengthy obituaries for the singer; in The Guardian, Michael Gray charted Rafferty's long downward spiral into alcoholism,[38] while a full-page obituary in The Times summarised his career more positively: "As well as being a singer of considerable talent who at one time had the pop world at his feet, Gerry Rafferty was also a consummate songwriter, blessed with sensitivity and an enviable melodic flair that at its best recalled Paul McCartney. Do you remember how old ladies used to have those little baskets on wheels they used to push around the shops? I'm older and my audience is older. Billy Connolly recalls his first meeting with Gerry Rafferty - BBC Let me meet Gerry.". That means youre there dead on two oclock, you have a coffee break at exactly five oclock, and then you finish at eight oclock on the dot and you dont go over regardless of what youre doing. Please visit our Institutional Subscriptions page for further information and to arrange for a trial or quote. And he married her! Brewer's offices were just across the road. Released as a single in July 1978, it reached #12 on the U.S. GERRY RAFFERTY rarely comes up in interviews, seldom works on the road and is in London even less often. "[34] It was ironic that Raffertya lover and collector of religious icons, who would later name one of his publishing companies "Icon Music"[54]was also an iconoclast. But Gerry Rafferty is wearing a button warning, 'Dangerous Times Ahead,' and he's known bad times in the past as well. Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! The eulogy was given by Rafferty's longtime friend John Byrne. Rafferty had apparently not changed his will after meeting Enzina Fuschini in 2008 and left her nothing. They got married and ran off together. ZigZag, All rights reserved. Words and phrases he used years ago crop up in similar contexts on City to City. They based chart positions on what theyd shipped, not what theyd sold. Stealers Wheel was a flop. The Internet is a conspiracy-theory clearing house, and yet the connection between Baker Street and the opening riff of Half a Heart lives in semi-ubiquity. After being taken off life support, Rafferty rallied for a short time, and doctors thought that he might recover. [citation needed], Rafferty drew a clear distinction between the artistic integrity of a musician, on the one hand, and the music industry's need to create celebrities and sell products, on the other. Roy Wood Jr. And theyd pay the radio stations to play the record. I just had to get away, away from groups, managers, record companies, the whole thing. Artists write the best songs when theyre hungry., "Anyway, they gave him five million and he pissed off and bought a house in the Caribbean. After the completion of Another World in 2000, Rafferty planned to move back to Scotland and bought Eaglestone House,[57] "a substantial listed 1860s mansion" in the Highland village of Strathpeffer,[58] although he sold the property two years later and never actually moved in. Let's Talk About Night Owl - Rock and Roll Globe Things came to a head when the star told Brewer that he was planning to go on the David Frost TV show. Soundtrack: 50/50. During this time, he met Enzina Fuschini, an Italian artist living in Dorset. Rafferty continues to ponder and juxtapose the differences between urban and pastoral life, and many of his new songs (especially, and most eloquently, Whatevers Written in Your Heart) still seem attempts to bridge the communication chasm between a man and a woman.
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