# Gerry Rafferty dies at age of 63 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 4, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420 "2011-01-04T23:02:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rayne\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/df705f/32.png) [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/1 "2011-01-04T23:02:30Z")
[BBC News article](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-12115604) “Rafferty had battled a drink problem and spent time in hospital in Bournemouth with liver failure.” A sad end to a fine singer. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/2 "2011-01-04T23:03:34Z")
[Bummer](http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/04/gerry-rafferty-dies-aged-63?intcmp=239). I guess there’s a viewing of _Reservoir Dogs_ in the near future for me. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/3 "2011-01-04T23:04:58Z")
Ahem… [Gerry Rafferty dies at age of 63 - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=591707) ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/4 "2011-01-04T23:05:20Z")
[Missed it by that much, Chief](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=591708). ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Credible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a8b319/32.png) [@Justin\_Credible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Credible)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/5 "2011-01-04T23:05:31Z")
That sucks. Remember a year or two ago when he went missing for a while and he was briefly assumed dead? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/6 "2011-01-04T23:07:04Z")
Merged two obit threads. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/7 "2011-01-04T23:07:31Z")
Could a kind Mod close (or merge) this thread ? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/8 "2011-01-04T23:39:47Z")
“Baker Street” is one of the great songs. Even that sounds like damning it with faint praise. A pantheon song. From a very fine album, BTW. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/9 "2011-01-04T23:48:41Z")
It’s a busy week for celebs dying. Wonder what’s up. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/10 "2011-01-05T00:01:29Z")
> [@detop](#): > > [Bummer](http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/04/gerry-rafferty-dies-aged-63?intcmp=239). I guess there’s a viewing of _Reservoir Dogs_ in the near future for me. For those haven’t gone looking for it, here’s the song, [“Stuck In The Middle With You”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPgFnRdTcKE) which was a large part of my teenybopper years. RIP Gerry. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/11 "2011-01-05T02:40:36Z")
[A more detailed obituary.](http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jan/04/gerry-rafferty-obituary) This is sad. He was so talented, and it seems, so tormented. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/12 "2011-01-05T03:04:31Z")
I knew this was going to happen soon…he had a serious problem with drinking. I think I read he used to piss in the plants in the lobby of the hotel he lived in. Too bad, he had a really incredible talent. I always liked the sound of his voice. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/13 "2011-01-05T03:46:47Z")
Sad day. _Stuck In The Middle With You_, _Get It Right Next Time_ and _Baker Street_ are great; [_Right Down The Line_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5yKaj3kGrQ) is one of my top 3 songs ever. Probably a little inappropriate to lift a glass in his memory. Oh well … I’ll be a little inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/14 "2011-01-05T14:57:45Z")
I always thought Rafferty wrote his own ending with [Baker Street](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Baker-Street-lyrics-Gerry-Rafferty/DD915592FAD9FC9A48256DB80015D417) You used to think that it was so easy, You used to say that it was so easy But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now. Another year and then you’d be happy Just one more year and then you’d be happy But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/15 "2011-01-05T16:20:35Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I always thought Rafferty wrote his own ending with [Baker Street](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Baker-Street-lyrics-Gerry-Rafferty/DD915592FAD9FC9A48256DB80015D417) > > You used to think that it was so easy, > You used to say that it was so easy > But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now. > Another year and then you’d be happy > Just one more year and then you’d be happy > But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now. He’s got this dream about buyin’ some land He’s gonna give up the booze and the one night stands And then he’ll settle down, in some quiet little town And forget about everything. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/16 "2011-01-05T16:41:22Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I always thought Rafferty wrote his own ending with [Baker Street](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Baker-Street-lyrics-Gerry-Rafferty/DD915592FAD9FC9A48256DB80015D417) > > You used to think that it was so easy, > You used to say that it was so easy > But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now. > Another year and then you’d be happy > Just one more year and then you’d be happy > But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now. Sounds more like he wrote that for his poor wife. That article linked above said she finally left him in 1990, when his alcoholism seemed hopeless. Yet he managed to live another 20 years as an endless drunk. What a bottomless sink of human misery must be involved. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/17 "2011-01-05T17:01:27Z")
> [@Gordon\_Urquhart](#): > > Sad day. _Stuck In The Middle With You_, _Get It Right Next Time_ and _Baker Street_ are great; [_Right Down The Line_](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5yKaj3kGrQ) is one of my top 3 songs ever. > > Probably a little inappropriate to lift a glass in his memory. Oh well … I’ll be a little inappropriate. Good to see some love for _Right Down the Line_. Also a favorite of mine. It’s an underrated song…overshadowed by \*Baker Street \*among Rafferty’s works. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/18 "2011-01-05T17:06:41Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I always thought Rafferty wrote his own ending with [Baker Street](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Baker-Street-lyrics-Gerry-Rafferty/DD915592FAD9FC9A48256DB80015D417) > > You used to think that it was so easy, > You used to say that it was so easy > But you’re tryin’, you’re tryin’ now. > Another year and then you’d be happy > Just one more year and then you’d be happy > But you’re cryin’, you’re cryin’ now. Neer, neer - neerneerneerneeerneeeeeerr ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/19 "2011-01-05T17:22:09Z")
> [@Justin\_Credible](#): > > That sucks. > > Remember a year or two ago when he went missing for a while and he was briefly assumed dead? Hell, I didn’t know they ever found him. I always thought he took a bridge and would never be found. The man had talent. It’s amazing how so many very talented people don’t find that to be enough, and need drugs and alcohol. But then, I suppose everyone has their demons, and perhaps their gifts have a high price. Or maybe they’re assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420/20 "2011-01-05T17:28:45Z")
I think if I became an overnight millionaire and then received a royalty cheque of £80,000 a year for doing nothing, I might have a few demons myself. ETA: Just sayin. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerry-rafferty-dies-at-age-of-63/566420.md?page=2)