Gerry Rafferty Is Alive And Well - After Six Months Of Rumors About His Disappearance

However, the song “Baker Street” was found beaten to death by FM Radio in 1978 and then again by Classic Rock Radio in the 90’s and beyond. Truly, a great song the first five thousand times you hear it - not to mention the impact it’s had on saxophone sales over the years. With no disrespect to Gerry or anyone involved with the tune …it seems Baker Street signaled the end of an era.  It was a constant reminder that the art of “free form” radio was becoming a science.

In the late sixties and early seventies you could turn on your FM Rock Radio Station and (most of the time) be pleasantly surprised by what you’d hear… and rarely hear the same song more than once on the same day.  By the late seventies on most FM Rockers you could now pretty much bank on hearing Baker Street, Freebird or Stairway To Heaven …right after Dust In The Wind …within an hour or two from the time you tuned in.   (Still can?  In 2009?)  OK, we’re exaggerating a bit here but, it’s one of those tunes that - even if you haven’t heard it for twenty years, it still seems like that sax solo was just on the radio five minutes ago. Or was that Quarterflash?  

Actually, Harden My Heart seemed to rival Baker Street on the very same stations in the early eighties for “most played tune with a sax solo”.  Another great record but, it seemed to be always on - everywhere - especially on the stations that weren’t “supposed” to play the same songs over - and over.  

So what’s up with Gerry these days?  Contrary to the many rumors that have been circulating about his disappearance - including a possible kidnapping - it turns out he’s alive, well … and writing music in Tuscany.  You can READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.  Naturally, at ClassicRockForever, we have this warped vision of search parties combing the Tuscan countryside - each armed with an Alto Sax and belting out the opening notes of Baker Street.  ”Gerry?  Can you hear us?  Gerrrrrrry?.”  If for some reason the melody escapes you, listen to the links below to have it embedded in your brain for another ten years.   

Note:  Check out the Foo Fighters’ Baker Street cover — one of our favorites.

UPDATED:  Don’t know how forgot this one but, we did:  Al Stewart’s Year Of The Cat (!). Maybe it didn’t get as much airplay in the later years? Lots of solo action in this one including, of course, a Sax solo performed by Alan Parsons - who also produced the record.  Thanks to G-Man for reminding me.