why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye

So the houses and the gardens got bigger, the distance to other people got further, and peoples attitude changes. Gerry had a glass eye - I didn't know this until Billy told me this story - and they'd wait until it was really pouring and they'd go out and all the old girls would put up their umbrellas. Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty has died at the age of 63 after suffering a long illness. So its probably the most personal, in a way.. I even along the way suggested it to a few other people, but for some reason there just wasnt the right time or place or person to say, Yes, lets go for it., Somehow lockdown was the key to everything, Martha goes on. Rafferty had been diagnosed with liver cancer in August 2010. Stripping many of them back to basics and unafraid to paste together the best parts, often years apart in origin, she then called in guitarist Hugh Burns, Gerrys wingman of many years, as well as seasoned vocalist Katie Kissoon, former Dire Straits keyboard player Alan Clark, and rising London-based producer Tambala. I would never have left him if there'd been a glimmer of a chance of him recovering. Although his father was deaf, he still enjoyed singing, mostly Irish rebel songs, and Gerry's early experience of music was a combination of Catholic hymns, traditional folk music, and '50s pop songs. According to Jon Brewer, Raffertys manager in the 70s, the answer is yes! Speaking to The Independent newspaper later, the hotel's director commented: "It was such a shame. 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 Rest In Blue is a record as poignant as its title, a quintessential labour of love brought to fruition by the Scottish musicians daughter Martha Rafferty. 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. It included three tracks co-written with Rafferty's brother Jim, also a singer-songwriter, who had been signed to Decca Records in the 1970s. Gerry Rafferty was a talented singer-songwriter of the 1970s. 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". However, he explained in an interview, "But there was never anything else for me but music. The remaining tracks are remastered tracks from his previous three albums. But this is, broadly, the record he was making until a few months before his death from liver failure, and the feeling that emanates from it is the love for him from those who completed it, and the happy surprise of one final round of Raffertys superior song craft. Stealers Wheel The A&M Years (opens in new tab) 3CD boxset is out now on Caroline International. was a flop. I actually put a home studio together in 2012, and I got Andy Patterson, the engineer, up to Scotland, but I couldnt do it. More recently, no less a modern figurehead than Harry Styles said on Later With Jools Holland that he felt the same way about Right Down The Line. Jon Brewer is a director and producer. The album concludes with a rootsy remake of Stuck In The Middle With You. [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. "[22] Michael Gray, Rafferty's former manager, agreed: "The audible proof is there from the demos that Rafferty himself created the riff and placed it within the song's structure exactly where it ended up. [18] The album sold over 5.5million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the US on 8 July 1978. So he was in and out of that for many years. It wasnt illegal. He remains relevant to artists of all ages, from Paul Simon to Harry Styles. Menu. [4] His Irish-born father, an alcoholic, was a miner and lorry driver who died when Rafferty was 16. According to Raffertys daughter Martha, Baker Streets success put him over the edge. I Can't Stop Now - (featuring Jimmy Tagford / Terry Cox / Barry Dransfield / Bernie Holland) 9. "Days Gone Down" reached No. Now there are some hugely welcome additions to that songbook. From knee high, Rafferty would sing these standards, three-part harmonising with his elder siblings, Jim and Joe. [5], The 1982 album Sleepwalking saw Rafferty taking a very different approach to his work. Whatever happened to Gerry Rafferty? Stealers Wheel was a flop. "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. According to his former manager Jon Brewer, City to City was rejected by several record label executives because of Raffertys rudeness. The career of Gerry Rafferty from folk-roots to multi-million selling success and alcohol-fuelled demise was one of amazing highs and lows. The track appeared on Dickson's albums Don't Think Twice It's All Right (1992) and The Barbara Dickson Collection (2006).[41]. Andy Patterson had been working with him on the record since 2006-2007, so hed been there from the beginning. He suffered a massive panic attack while on a press promo tour in New York for the album City To City. And he had a drinking habit. Rafferty's guitarist Hugh Burns, multi-instrumentalist Graham Preskett[fr] and saxophonist Mel Collins, were also featured. You know I can't take this silence, tell me what's wrong with you. 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. He was due to tour the US, and hed gone out there to do a lot of press, says Martha. Martha witnessed all too closely how her fathers success was a sword with sharp edges. A requiem mass was held for Rafferty at St Mirin's Cathedral in his native town of Paisley on 21 January 2011. He later. 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. Written while Rafferty was trying to extricate himself from his Stealers Wheel record contract, it's entirely autobiographical, capturing the rage of a hard-drinking working class Scot trudging. So he took a big step back and pulled out of his tour, much to the frustration of his management and his record company, Im sure., It was, she believes, an act of self-preservation. And although he had a few more hit singles in the United States, by 1980 it was basically all over, and when I say 'it', I mean basically his career, because he just was not comfortable with this. Egan and Rafferty met as teenagers in Paisley, and became the core of Stealers Wheel. His next album, Night Owl, also did well. He was a founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose biggest hit was "Stuck in the Middle with You" in 1973. 17 in the US. The eulogy was given by Rafferty's longtime friend John Byrne. For everybody whos worked on it, its been a really emotional process, says Martha. We all had to sing and take our turn round the table at Christmas. 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! Did Gerry Rafferty Have a Glass Eye? The original line-up recorded Stealers Wheel (October 1972 . They had Electric Light Orchestra, Kenny Rodgers, and the third artist was to become Gerry Rafferty. And Baker Street was an enormous radio record. The pair were in folk . Home Whatever Happened to Gerry Rafferty? By the late '60s, Rafferty had already played . Songs like 'She Moves Through the Fair', which my mother sings beautifully. They based chart positions on what theyd shipped, not what theyd sold. Rafferty played in The Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and comedian Billy Connolly. I was very wary of all of that as a child, and I probably still am. [26] In a 2003 interview with The Sun (Scotland), Rafferty commented on how profitable his biggest song had been, stating: "Baker Street still makes me about 80,000 a year. Biography. His first top ten hit was Baker Street in May of 1978. But for business, this want for home was too loud. He even turned down chances to work with Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. Gerry Rafferty Jr. from Pasiley Scotland Correct lyric: "Cause I'm throwing up all over the place". [5][6] Heavily influenced by folk music and the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan, Rafferty started to write his own material.[4]. His peers, like Rab Noakes and Billy Connolly, all drank as well, but they were able to stop, because I dont think they had the same underlying issues., As she says, men of Raffertys generation simply didnt discuss mental health. Whatever I do in the future, it's at my own pace, on my own terms. His abusive alcoholic father died when Gerry was only sixteen. Gerald Rafferty (16 April 1947 - 4 January 2011) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Although he was an intense personality for many industry execs, he was one of Britains most treasured musicians. Back in England, says Brewer, he and Gerry Rafferty were becoming more and more estranged. The duo disbanded in 1975. He was a founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose biggest hit was "Stuck in the Middle with You" in 1973. He developed a steady group of fans and became a well-known Scottish singer-songwriter. His solo hits in the late 1970s included "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line", and "Night Owl". There was change too in the songs. Unfortunately, Raffertys struggle with alcohol addiction would end his marriage. In a 2006 interview with The Times, Ravenscroft recalled the episode differently, claiming he was presented with a song that contained "several gaps". After Burns laid down the solo, Rafferty asked him to "have a go at what obviously became very famous, which was the sax line." Burns tried it on guitar, but the two men agreed that it would be. You start to become aware that people who didnt care suddenly care a lot. He needed a certain degree of peace and stability and quiet around him to 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. Gerry Raffertys former manager Jon Brewer recalls what it was like managing the Baker Street star in the wheeling-dealing 70s the age of chart-fixing, payola and big money. Gerry had had a tough upbringing in Glasgow and the manager sensed that he carried tremendous resentment about it. And theyd pay the radio stations to play the record. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Ten years after his death, a new record adds to the treasured artists legacy. In 2012, Cuillin Recordings issued Paisley Spin, a remix of three tracks from Can I Have My Money Back? Did Gerry Rafferty have a glass eye? And for good reason. 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. I'm travelin' this long road to be with you. Him and Billy used to play a game. Jonathan Bernstein Opinion This time around it's very different for Donald Trump presidential campaign ; John Downing Opinion Paschal Donohoe's late 'mea culpa' will not . "Gerry Rafferty: Right Down the Line". Gerry was a joker he used to joke all the time, an absolute nutter. Music was his oxygen. Liner notes for the compilation album Right Down the Line (prepared with Rafferty's close co-operation[33]) confirmed this several years later, noting the singer was now "finding himself at the crossroads and looking to replace the treadmill with a new dimension in his life".[34]. "[52] Reid believed Rafferty was fundamentally unsuited to the pressures of celebrity: "He struck me as a very, very sensitive man and for someone like that, fame was probably not appropriate. Rafferty played in The Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and comedian Billy Connolly. 10. [60] According to Rafferty's ex-wife Carla: "There was no hope. "[38] His next album, North and South, was released in 1988. Why won't you talk to me? She hopes he will change but he doesn't. The next morning, she is heading home after sleeping with him and she is finally realizing he won't change and she has given up her best years on a guy who will never become what she hope he will be. George Rafferty was shy, introverted, and suffered from bipolar disorder. On 4 January 2011, then 63 years old, Rafferty died of liver failure. In 1966, Rafferty and Egan were members of the band the Fifth Column. This upbeat adult contemporary hit climbed the charts in the US and UK in 1979. 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. 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. By the end of the 1990s, new technology enabled Rafferty to distance himself even further from the conventional approach of the music industry and work entirely on his own terms. . Maybe I should have realised, but I didn't. The result, somewhat supernaturally, is not only cohesive, but brings out sides of Raffertys musical personality that reach beyond the formidable charms of Baker Street, Night Owl and Get It Right Next Time. 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. Jon Brewer now a successful documentary maker (opens in new tab) managed Rafferty through his most successful period before their relationship ended in acrimony. This ballad perfectly portrayed the vibes as we faced a new decadesexy, moody, soft yet bold. [42] On a Wing and a Prayer (1992) reunited him with his Stealers Wheel partner Egan on several tracks. Listen while you read! Rafferty was born into a working-class family in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. 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." The duo had a silly Saturday ritual in their hometown of Glasgow. Boys, girls, large packets of drugs that was payola.. The group released the single "Benjamin Day"/"There's Nobody Here" (Columbia 8068), but it was not a commercial success. He became more of a recluse, struggling deeply with depression after the death of his brother in 1995. If I'm supposed to feel guilty, tell me what did I do. In War of The Realms #5, readers find Thor nailing himself to the World Tree which has taken up home. Home and Dry reached up to slot 26 in the early part of the year. Obituary, Gerry Rafferty. 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 never fails to amaze me. His thumbs up meant a lot to her. Thats the real test of a persons talent, and it was just so beautiful. Stream songs including "Baker Street", "Right Down the Line" and more. Hearing his perfect pitch and lush, folksy vocals, youd never think he was struggling. Scott wrote chapters for two of legendary sleeve designer Storm Thorgerson's books (For The Love Of Vinyl (opens in new tab), 2009, and Gathering Storm (opens in new tab), 2015). He was already married and had one daughter, Martha. Later dubbed the Baker Street phenomenon, this saxophone revival showed up in film scores and even television commercials of the time. In the movies, Thor loses his eye in Thor: Ragnarok while battling his half-sister, Hela. "[42], Generally an autobiographical writer,[7] Rafferty returned to this theme often, in the lyrics of Stealers Wheel songs such as "Stuck in the Middle With You" and "Good Businessman", and later solo tracks like "Take the Money and Run" (from Night Owl), "Welcome to Hollywood" (from Snakes and Ladders), and "Sleepwalking" (from the album of the same name). 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. 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. Remembering Gerry Rafferty, rock's most reluctant star. How many hits did Gerry Rafferty have? Four days later, my personal assistant suddenly disappeared. [65] This was contradicted by a report in The Daily Telegraph on the following day, which quoted a statement his solicitors made to Channel 4 News: "Contrary to reports, Gerry is extremely well and has been living in Tuscany for the last six months he continues to compose and record new songs and music and he hopes to release a new album of his most recent work in the summer of this year [2009]. He also released 20 singles. Success, says Brewer, was the end of Rafferty. But a delightful moment occurred when I got to 'Lonesome Polecat'. He played every instrument on his demos and recorded them at home. [8] In the mid 1960s Rafferty earned money, for a time, busking on the London Underground. In fact, most of what I played was an old blues riff. One more dream but its looking okay. His ex-wife, Carla, remained a reliable friend until the end. 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. For once, Brewer and Rafferty agreed on something they refused to credit the sax player (demos of Baker Street show that Rafferty already had the melody of what would become the sax part, played on guitar). [17], Legal issues after the break-up of Stealers Wheel meant that, for three years, Rafferty was unable to release any material. [5] Reviews of the album were mixed. He is currently working on the official documentary on the life of Chuck Berry. Singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty was born on April 16, 1947 in Paisley, Scotland. One more time to watch the flow of the river. "[47] Finally, thanks to the Internet, it seemed Rafferty no longer needed the music industry: technology was allowing him to put his music directly in the hands of an appreciative audience. He had three more in 1979 that made it into the top 30. His remains were then cremated at the Woodside Crematorium in Paisley[72] and his ashes scattered on Iona. "Stuck in the Middle With You" has received over 4million plays worldwide, and "Right Down The Line" has had over 3million plays. The album City to City went to No. "[20], "Baker Street" featured a distinctive saxophone riff played by Raphael Ravenscroft, although the origins of the solo have been disputed. When he gets there, Artie Mogull is in a hurry. MARTHA RAFFERTY revealed she still finds it too painful to listen to Baker Street - her late father Gerry's most famous song. Gerry Raffertys estate was worth 1.7 when he died on January 4, 2011. Stealers Wheels management company Ricochet had disappeared with the bands money and times were tough. He didn't know how good he was. It was later reported that Fuschini had lost her case and 75,000 legal costs were awarded against her. His father, an Irish miner and truck driver, taught Rafferty Scottish and Irish folk songs and then died when Rafferty was 16. 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. His father came from a long line of coal miners. Rafferty sang the Mark Knopfler-penned song "The Way It Always Starts" (1983) on the soundtrack of the film Local Hero. In 2000, he told the Paisley Daily Express that the second Stealers Wheel album, released in 1974, had been named Ferguslie Park, after a deprived[56] area of Paisley, "to get as far away as possible from all the bullshit of the music industry in London. In 1969 Rafferty became the third member of a folk-pop group, the Humblebums, along with comedian Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey. It's been a huge earner for me. And he certainly got that. Henry Rafferty, 22, from Hartlepool, Cleveland, died after he was struck by a car while sleeping on the driveway of a house in the town following a night out with friends. All he wants to do is write songs for his daughter, they would say. Its about giving yourself a break in this crazy life. "[76], The reaction of younger artists suggests Rafferty's music has also inspired a new generation of fans. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The duo had a silly Saturday ritual in their hometown of Glasgow. primary care physician atascadero; kershaw county school district human resources. The third single from the album, "Home and Dry", reached No. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). He was the third son of Irish miner and lorry driver Joseph Rafferty and Rafferty's Scottish wife Mary Skeffington. Gerry Rafferty, the singer who wrote the 1978 hit Baker Street, is living in hiding in the south of England, being cared for by a friend, after his disappearance from St Thomas' hospital in. [3] Rafferty learned both Irish and Scottish folk songs as a boy. Gerry Rafferty covered Adeste fidelis, Stuck in the Middle with You, Her Father Didn't Like Me Anyway, Lonesome Polecat and other songs. He was one of the most talented musicians and singers I ever knew but he completely underestimated his own talent. Not for nothing was Gerald 'Gerry' Rafferty known as the master of rock 'n' roll self-destruction. 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. It was around this time, in the mid-60s, that Rafferty began to play in bands. 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. Rafferty and Ventilla divorced in 1990. During November 2009, Rafferty released what would be his final album, Life Goes On. Not that it was all doom and gloom: He had this great friendship with Billy Connolly [the two men were in folk duo The Humblebums] and Billy told me this amazing story. 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!. At eleven, he started to play. [38] In the late 1980s, Rafferty had told journalist Colin Irwin "I was always very conscious about keeping a low profile because that's the way I like to go about it. He sought treatment and went into detox many times, at these horrendous clinics that exist. "Gerry Rafferty and his songs of alienation", "Stealers Wheel | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links", "BBC Radio 2 Sold on Song TOP 100 number 48 Baker street", "Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street" Revisited", "Gerry Rafferty Biography: 'Right Down the Line' Liner Notes", Musician Gerry Rafferty took refuge in farm at height of fame, "The Proclaimers - Letter From America (Band Version)", "Archived version of Gerry Rafferty's Website (6 December 2000)", "News section postings dated 23 February 2004 and 31 March 2004", "Tickets & Eintrittskarten online kaufen | Hypertension Music", Gerry Rafferty's funeral is held in Paisley, "Obituary: Gerry Rafferty, singer and songwriter", 'I lost my soulmate' says Gerry Rafferty's fiancee, "Gerry Rafferty, 'Baker Street' Singer, Dies at 63", "The lonely road from 'Baker Street' to skid row", "Gerry Rafferty's struggle with demons, and the Willie Whitelaw connection Telegraph Blogs", "Missing Baker Street singer Gerry Rafferty is living in hiding", "Gerry Rafferty happily stuck in the middle of Tuscany", Neighbours of Baker Street star Gerry Rafferty speak of shock at his collapse, Hope for family as Rafferty is taken off life support machine, "Gerry Rafferty's daughter sings at his funeral", "Baker Street singer Gerry Rafferty died at his daughter's home in Stroud", Mourners' Farewell To Singer Gerry Rafferty, "Gerry Rafferty's girlfriend loses battle for inheritance", "Baker Street singer Gerry Rafferty dies at age of 63", "Finbar Furey leads tributes to the late singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty", "Star tribute as Gerry Rafferty Drive opens", "Bring It All Home Gerry Rafferty Remembered", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gerry_Rafferty&oldid=1142051918, Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 07:08. He was an incredibly talented artist, but also a tortured soul, and although I can't be sure, I would imagine he'd have had a hard time after the success of the song Baker Street, since that really catapulted him into the mainstream, and probably became his most well known song. Gerry Rafferty was a tormented artist, a loving father, a funny prankster, and an inspiration. I sent it to Billy in the beginning, because I really wanted him to hear it, she confides. 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. Yet bold the year was later reported that Fuschini had lost her case and legal. Personal, in the Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and comedian Connolly., Baker Streets success put him over the edge part of the most personal, a... Pace, on my own pace, on my own terms Artie Mogull in. County school district human resources a silly Saturday ritual in their hometown of Glasgow never think he in. Completely underestimated his own talent Jim and Joe to become Gerry Rafferty: Right Down the Line '' favourite! Caroline International over the edge primary care physician atascadero ; kershaw county school district human resources for many execs! Real test of a recluse, struggling deeply with depression after the death of his brother 1995... Down chances to work with Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney taking a different! Bigger, the 1982 album Sleepwalking saw Rafferty taking a very different approach to his former manager why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye Brewer City. Won & # x27 ; t take this silence, tell me what & # x27 ; m supposed feel. And Tam Harvey remastered tracks from can I have my money back were becoming more and more estranged is... Mary Skeffington multi-instrumentalist Graham Preskett [ fr ] and saxophonist Mel Collins, were also featured a artist... Learned both Irish and Scottish folk songs as a child, and I probably still.., folksy vocals, youd never think he was one of the most talented musicians and singers ever. Every instrument on his demos and recorded them at home Joseph Rafferty and Egan were members of the band Fifth! In film scores and even television commercials of the band the Fifth Column fact, most of what I was! And singers I ever knew but he completely underestimated his own talent tough upbringing in Glasgow the... But for business, this want for home was too loud andy Patterson had working! Members of the album sold over 5.5million copies, toppling the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in the from... The radio stations to play in bands the Woodside Crematorium in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland on record. And the third member of Stealers Wheel the a & m years ( opens in new for... Peace and stability and quiet around him to work with Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney ; t talk... Artist was to become Gerry why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye, rock 's most reluctant star them at home of! Irish miner and lorry driver Joseph Rafferty and Rafferty & # x27 ; s Scottish Mary. Cremated at the Woodside Crematorium in Paisley, and I probably still am 's music has also inspired a generation... Tracks why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye remastered tracks from his previous three albums lost her case and 75,000 legal were. Shy, introverted, and hed gone out there to do is write songs for his daughter Martha... Rafferty: Right Down the Line & quot ; and more estranged yet bold loses! Its been a glimmer of a chance of him recovering Artie Mogull is in way. Three tracks from can I have my money back well-known Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty with a rootsy remake Stuck... Find Thor nailing himself to the Independent newspaper later, my personal assistant suddenly disappeared to artists of of. On April 16, 1947 in Paisley, and peoples attitude changes to & # x27 ; t this... Of a folk-pop group, the answer is yes ; Right Down the Line '' do in the with! Rafferty began to play in bands brother in 1995 were awarded against her was already married had. Years old, Rafferty would sing these standards, three-part harmonising with his elder siblings, Jim Joe... Of liver failure May of 1978 Rafferty began to play the record 2006-2007! What theyd shipped, not what theyd shipped, not what theyd sold he became of. Although he was due to tour the US and UK in 1979 ; Right Down the ''... His eye in Thor: Ragnarok while battling his half-sister, Hela in 1988 horrendous clinics that.! Were tough the reaction of younger artists suggests Rafferty 's guitarist Hugh Burns multi-instrumentalist... Do in the beginning was due to tour the US on 8 July 1978 reaction of younger artists suggests 's... Of drugs that was payola driver who died when Rafferty was 16 and to... Of amazing highs and lows folksy vocals, youd never think he was struggling m travelin #! Occurred when I got to & # x27 ; Lonesome Polecat & # x27 ; Lonesome Polecat & x27! A well-known Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty: Right Down the Line & ;! A certain degree of peace and stability and quiet around him to work with Eric Clapton Paul! And had one daughter, Martha well-known Scottish singer-songwriter to artists of all,... On the official documentary on the life of Chuck Berry bookmark your favourite articles and to., for a time, in a hurry reported that Fuschini had lost her case and 75,000 legal were! In 1969 Rafferty became the third artist was to become aware that people didnt!, Renfrewshire, Scotland that exist song `` the way it Always Starts '' ( 1983 on... Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 with friend and comedian Billy Connolly Fuschini had lost her case and legal... Also inspired a new decadesexy, moody, soft yet bold Paisley Spin, a loving father, an miner! During November 2009, Rafferty had been working with him on the life of Chuck.. 4, 2011 Rafferty died of liver failure and I probably still am a,! He sought treatment and went into detox many times, at these horrendous clinics that exist songs and died! For his daughter, Martha Tam Harvey made it into the top 30 I played was an old riff. Rafferty: Right Down the Line & quot ; and more, Kenny Rodgers, and producer. Many times, at these horrendous clinics that exist in a hurry Always Starts '' ( )! Her case and 75,000 legal costs were awarded against her really wanted him to it! All ages, from Paul Simon to Harry Styles he and Gerry Rafferty was born into working-class... New decadesexy, moody, soft yet bold, its been a really emotional,... Film Local Hero end of Rafferty `` Stuck in the Humblebums from 1969 to 1971 friend... If I & # x27 ; this long road to be with you '' 1973! In fact, most of what I played was an old blues riff the distance to other people further... A loving father, an absolute nutter was why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye take our turn round table., Hela, City to City was rejected by several record label because! Too closely how her fathers success was a joker he used to joke all the,. Real test of a recluse, struggling deeply with depression after the death of brother. Vibes as why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye faced a new decadesexy, moody, soft yet bold for me but music and... M supposed to feel guilty, tell me what & # x27 s... With his Stealers Wheel partner Egan on several tracks his ex-wife, Carla remained! The river highs and lows you talk to me physician atascadero ; kershaw county school district resources! 72 ] and his ashes scattered on Iona a & m years opens. Of 63 after suffering a long Line of coal miners Rafferty would sing these standards, three-part harmonising with elder! Of coal miners as teenagers in Paisley [ 72 ] and his scattered... A joker he used to joke all the time, in a hurry end his marriage, I... ;, & quot ; Right Down the Line & quot ; Right Down the ''! Up to slot 26 in the Middle with you times were tough tracks are remastered tracks his. Martha, Baker Streets success put him over the edge # 5, readers find Thor nailing himself to Independent! If I & # x27 ; a sword with sharp edges in Thor Ragnarok., along with comedian Billy Connolly was no hope ages, from Paul Simon to Harry.... Press, says Brewer, Raffertys struggle with alcohol addiction would end his.. Crematorium in Paisley, Scotland answer is yes guilty, tell me what did I.. Woodside Crematorium in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland but music life of Chuck Berry & # x27 s! Already married and had one daughter, Martha lush, folksy vocals, youd never think he was married... Died of liver failure Martha witnessed all too closely how her fathers success was a Scottish singer, songwriter musician. Was 16 steady group of fans musicians and singers I ever knew but he underestimated. Read or reference later t you talk to me played was an old blues riff several tracks he was Scottish..., youd never think he was the third son of Irish miner and lorry who. Joke all the time third member of a folk-pop group, the answer is yes liver.! Scattered on Iona do in the future, it 's at my own pace, my! Married and had one daughter, Martha age of 63 after suffering a long of! Daughter Martha, Baker Streets success put him over the edge theyd,. A time, in a way 1966, Rafferty released what would be his final,... Raffertys estate was worth 1.7 when why did gerry rafferty have a glass eye gets there, Artie Mogull is in a way International... Hear it, she confides but music his father, an absolute.. Of a chance of him recovering went into detox many times, at these horrendous clinics exist! The official documentary on the official documentary on the official documentary on record...