Baker Street: The Music of Gerry Rafferty Quiz

Answer: Barbara Dickson

Gerry's second solo album, 'City to City', was released in 1978. Barbara Dickson was one of the backing vocalists who contributed to it. She had already established herself through folk music and television appearances, and she went on to have a successful career as both a recording artist and musical theatre performer.

Barbara's involvement with Gerry was part of a wider connection between the two Scottish musicians. She later recorded his song 'City to City' herself, releasing it as a single in 1978. In 2013, she released 'To Each & Everyone - The Songs of Gerry Rafferty', an album that was devoted entirely to his compositions.

Answer: The Humblebums

The Humblebums were formed in Glasgow in 1965 by Billy Connolly and guitarist Tam Harvey. Gerry joined the group in 1969, becoming its third member. After Tam left, he and Billy continued as a duo.

They released two albums, 'The New Humblebums' in 1969 and 'Open Up the Door' in 1970. The group split in 1971, with Billy concentrating on his comedy career and Gerry pursuing music as a solo artist.

Answer: Piano

Gerry wasn't just a singer and guitarist, as he also played piano and bass guitar. His musical abilities extended beyond performing his songs vocally, and he was comfortable contributing different instruments to his recordings.

His versatility was particularly evident during the making of his music. For some of the early demos for 'City to City', he played every instrument himself, showing how much of the musical groundwork he was capable of creating without relying entirely on other musicians.

Answer: His contract with Stealers Wheel

After Stealers Wheel broke up, Gerry became involved in legal disputes over the band's recording contracts and obligations. The situation prevented him from releasing new material for around three years.

The disputes were eventually resolved in 1978, allowing Gerry to sign with United Artists. The lengthy legal battle had been a frustrating period for him, but its conclusion finally gave him the freedom to move forward with his solo career.

Answer: Marylebone

Gerry wrote 'Baker Street' during the legal disputes that followed the break-up of Stealers Wheel. The arguments over the band's contract meant he spent a lot of time travelling overnight by train from Scotland to London for meetings with lawyers.

In London, he regularly visited a friend named Iain Campbell, a session guitarist who had played with Stealers Wheel, who lived in a mews house just off Baker Street in the Marylebone area. During one visit in 1977, the two stayed up playing guitars through the night. Gerry began writing the song on the train back to Scotland the following morning.

The song reflects his experiences of travelling, city life and the uncertainty he was going through at the time. It became one of his best-known songs.

Answer: City to City

Released in January 1978, 'City to City' was Gerry's second solo album. It reached number six on the UK Albums Chart and topped the US Billboard 200.

On the US Billboard Hot 100, 'Right Down the Line' peaked at number 12, 'Home and Dry' reached number 28 and 'Baker Street' also rose to number two.

Answer: Saxophone

Session musician Raphael Ravenscroft played the famous saxophone part on 'Baker Street'. Billboard later described it as one of the most recognisable saxophone riffs in pop music history. It's been said that Ravenscroft was paid £27 for the recording session.

Gerry said Ravenscroft was his second choice for the session because his first choice, Pete Zorn, was unavailable. Ravenscroft had originally been asked to record a soprano saxophone part but suggested using his alto saxophone instead. There has been disagreement over whether Ravenscroft or Gerry should receive credit for creating the famous riff, with Gerry saying that he had written the musical line before the recording.

Answer: Stuck in the Middle With You

Quentin Tarantino used 'Stuck in the Middle With You' in his 1992 film 'Reservoir Dogs', during one of the film's most famous scenes. The use of the cheerful song alongside the violent action introduced the song to another generation of listeners.

Gerry reportedly disliked the association with the film and refused permission for the song to be re-released in connection with 'Reservoir Dogs'. The song nevertheless experienced renewed interest following the film's release.

Answer: Star

Stealers Wheel had their biggest success with 'Stuck in the Middle with You', which reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart in 1973. However, the band had two further UK chart hits, showing that their success extended beyond their best-known song.

'Star' was released in 1974 and reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart, which made it their second-highest-charting UK single. 'Everything Will Turn Out Fine' had reached number 33 the previous year. Although Stealers Wheel's career was relatively short-lived, the group's recordings remain an important part of Gerry's early musical career.

Answer: Life Goes On

Gerry's album 'Life Goes On' was released in November 2009. It brought together six new recordings with reworked songs from his previous three albums, along with traditional songs, Christmas carols and a cover of the Beatles' 'Because'.

The album proved to be his final completed release before his death in January 2011. A later album, 'Rest in Blue', was released posthumously in 2021 and was compiled by his daughter Martha from recordings he had left behind.