Gerry Rafferty: 1947-2011

It seems there's been a rash of people dying before their time lately.  To that list add Scottish singer-songwriter Gerry Rafferty.  He died in Dorset, England on Tuesday at the age of 63.  His 1978 album City to City reached number 1 in the US and included the top 10 hit Baker Street.  I had the album and practically wore it out listening to it over and over.  His other top 10 hit was Stuck in the Middle With You, which he recorded with the band Stealers Wheel in 1972.  Bad career choices (declining to tour the US, turning down opportunities to play with Paul McCartney and Eric Clapton), alcohol and depression derailed his career, but the music lives on: