![]() ![]() However, he explained in an interview, "But there was never anything else for me but music. He then worked in a butcher's shop, as a civil service clerk, and in a shoe shop. Rafferty left St Mirin's Academy in 1963. Heavily influenced by folk music and the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan, Rafferty started to write his own material. And a whole suite of Irish traditional songs and Scots traditional songs". Songs like 'She Moves Through the Fair', which my mother sings beautifully. He recalled, "My father was Irish, so growing up in Paisley I was hearing all these songs when I was two or three. Rafferty learned both Irish and Scottish folk songs as a boy. His Irish-born father, an alcoholic, was a miner and lorry driver who died when Rafferty was 16. ![]() Rafferty grew up in a council house in the town's Ferguslie Park, in Underwood Lane, and was educated at St Mirin's Academy. A son of Joseph and Mary (Skeffington) Rafferty, he had two brothers, Jim and Joe (died 1988). Rafferty was born on 16 April 1947 into a working-class family of Irish Catholic origin in Underwood Lane in Paisley, a son and grandson of coal miners. A heavy drinker for much of his life, Rafferty died from liver failure in 2011.Įarly years Foxbar in Paisley, Renfrewshire, where Rafferty grew up In 1978, he recorded his second solo album, City to City, which included "Baker Street", his most popular song. After they disbanded in 1971, he recorded his first solo album, Can I Have My Money Back? 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". He joined the folk-pop group the Humblebums (of which Billy Connolly was a member) in 1969. His mother taught him both Irish and Scottish folk songs when he was a boy later, he was influenced by the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. Rafferty was born into a working-class family in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland. His solo hits in the late 1970s included " Baker Street", " Right Down the Line", and " Night Owl". He was a founding member of Stealers Wheel, whose biggest hit was " Stuck in the Middle with You" in 1973. Gerry also sings The Way It Always Starts, on the excellent Local Hero soundtrack, written by Mark Knopfler.Gerald Rafferty (16 April 1947 – 4 January 2011) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Personally, I never listened beyond North & South. ![]() They do sound more like products of their time though ('82 & '88 respectively). Sleepwalking and North & South are not really essential but still fine albums for fans, North & South being the better album ( Shipyard Town is a fine song). Next, I'd suggest the first two Stealer's Wheel LPs Stealer's Wheel & Ferguslie Park, recorded between Can I Have My Money Back and City to City, also featuring 'Patrick' artwork. They also feature beautiful artwork by John Patrick Byrne. My favourite track from this is the McCartney-esque To Each And Everyone.įollowing closely behind these would be Snakes & Ladders from 1980.Īll of these albums are really meticulously arranged and beautifully recorded, thanks to Gerry's fastidiousness in the studio. These albums are almost two sides of the same coin.Įqually as essential, IMHO, is the first solo LP, Can I Have My Money Back? Apart from the opening song, every track is gold and the album is pretty diverse. That's followed closely by follow-up Night Owl (also a strong album the title track, The Way That You Do It, Get It Right Next Time & Family Tree are some of Gerry's best songs). As others have said, City to City is the obvious first choice (opener The Ark remains my favourite ever GR song) as it contains the most famous singles but some stellar albums tracks too. ![]()
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