Gerry Rafferty, 'Stuck in the Middle With You' singer, dies at 63

Gerry Rafferty, the smooth-voiced singer behind "Baker Street" and "Stuck in the Middle With You," has died. He was 63.

The UK singer died Tuesday (Jan. 4) of liver failure in London after a battle with alcoholism.

The Scotland-born Rafferty began performing early, first in the band the Mavericks on weekends, then busking in the London Underground. He then played with Billy Connolly in The Humblebums and recorded his first solo album.

In 1972, he teamed up with his chum Joe Egan to form Stealers Wheel, a group known for its hit "Stuck in the Middle With You." Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino's 1992 movie "Reservoir Dogs" contains an iconic scene in which Michael Madsen's character Mr. Blonde tortures someone to the song. [Warning: Violence and language.]

Here's the original video without the creepy violence:



After disbanding, Rafferty and Egan teamed up again for The Fifth Column, and then Rafferty released the solo album "City to City," which contained the single "Baker Street," a huge hit in the UK and the United States. "Right Down the Line" also did well from the album.

A listen to "Baker Street":



Rafferty also co-produced "This Is the Story," the debut album for the Proclaimers.

He's survived by his daughter Martha, granddaughter Celia and a brother, Jim.