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View Full Version : Is Gerry Rafferty still missing?


BombaySapphire3
01-31-2009, 07:02 PM
Gerry Rafferty of Stealer's Wheel and a solo artist has been missing since he checked out of a hospital last August AMA ..I love this man's music even though much of it was superficially light weight and poppy it had a real melancholy to it and lyrically he was gifted..Baker Street remain one of my all time favorites as it seems to tell the story of many seasoned drinker's lives my own included.He was a significant pop star in the late 1970s in both the US and UK so I'm surprised there has not been more press regarding his disappearance.I thought some of the U.K. ledgies might have some info?

trackaghost
01-31-2009, 07:06 PM
As far as I know he's still missing but there's been sightings of him here in the UK and in Europe. It's all very strange.

BombaySapphire3
01-31-2009, 07:10 PM
As far as I know he's still missing but there's been sightings of him here in the UK and in Europe. It's all very strange.
It is strange. The sightings are kind of like Bigfoot sightings at this point though from what I have read ..like someone claiming he ordered a meal at a restaurant at Piccadilly circus and there was even a sighting in Korea.

LukeA
01-31-2009, 08:23 PM
Wow- I had no idea. Interesting story.

GoS
01-31-2009, 09:52 PM
Wow, this is a very strange story. Almost like the Agatha Christie thing. Man, artists are just crazy!

GODDESS6
02-01-2009, 08:42 AM
i love, love his music too & i hadn't heard that he was missing~ how sad~

The Catdancer
02-01-2009, 05:16 PM
Gerry Rafferty of Stealer's Wheel and a solo artist has been missing since he checked out of a hospital last August AMA ..I love this man's music even though much of it was superficially light weight and poppy it had a real melancholy to it and lyrically he was gifted..Baker Street remain one of my all time favorites as it seems to tell the story of many seasoned drinker's lives my own included.He was a significant pop star in the late 1970s in both the US and UK so I'm surprised there has not been more press regarding his disappearance.I thought some of the U.K. ledgies might have some info?

What was he in the hospital for???

BombaySapphire3
02-01-2009, 05:55 PM
What was he in the hospital for???

from the info that I can glean he was apparently in for complications secondary to a lifetime of heavy drinking .It is reported he left all his belongings in the hospital room as well as urine soaked sheets.If he is still missing at this point sadly he may no longer be alive.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-02-2009, 09:52 PM
as well as urine soaked sheets.

Well, you can see why he might have left those behind.

Perhaps the reason there is very little news about this is because it is just an internet rumour.

Few people will be aware that Gerry started his career in a folk duo called the Humblebums with Billy Connolly.

LukeA
02-02-2009, 11:37 PM
Well, you can see why he might have left those behind.

Perhaps the reason there is very little news about this is because it is just an internet rumour.


What is? Its a matter of fact (and not rumor) that he is missing.

BombaySapphire3
02-03-2009, 12:56 AM
What is? Its a matter of fact (and not rumor) that he is missing.

Thank you ..there has been no verifiable sighting of him since August of last year as far as I or anyone else seems to know.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-03-2009, 03:56 PM
What is? Its a matter of fact

Fact? Based on what? One article in The Scotsman with no follow up and a couple of snippets in The Sun (hardly the pinnacle of accurate journalism)?

Strange then there is no mention of it at all on his brothers' message board, Effing Peasants.

BombaySapphire3
02-03-2009, 04:11 PM
Fact? Based on what? One article in The Scotsman with no follow up and a couple of snippets in The Sun (hardly the pinnacle of accurate journalism)?

Strange then there is no mention of it at all on his brothers' message board, Effing Peasants.

We're peasants..hmmm seems to me that most folks in Australia are direct descendents from the denizens of a penal colony.:lol: Also if there was no truth to the rumor wouldn't his brother want to mention it on his page to disspell it?

StandbackStevie
02-03-2009, 04:30 PM
Gerry Rafferty of Stealer's Wheel and a solo artist has been missing since he checked out of a hospital last August AMA ..I love this man's music even though much of it was superficially light weight and poppy it had a real melancholy to it and lyrically he was gifted..Baker Street remain one of my all time favorites as it seems to tell the story of many seasoned drinker's lives my own included.He was a significant pop star in the late 1970s in both the US and UK so I'm surprised there has not been more press regarding his disappearance.I thought some of the U.K. ledgies might have some info?

I agree with you Gerry Rafferty's I love the song "Baker Street" incredible early 80's song or late 70's also the steeler wheel big hit Stuck In The Middle awesome songs.:blob1:

Neb-Maat-Re
02-03-2009, 11:24 PM
We're peasants..hmmm seems to me that most folks in Australia are direct descendents from the denizens of a penal colony.:lol: Also if there was no truth to the rumor wouldn't his brother want to mention it on his page to disspell it?


Err, "Effing Peasants" is just the name of the brother's message board.

BombaySapphire3
02-04-2009, 12:41 AM
Err, "Effing Peasants" is just the name of the brother's message board.

Ok my apologies,..The way you worded it was kind of ambigious.I did check the page and it seems to be one of those forums where very few post and you have to be rigorously screened before you can..very similar to how The Black Ledge was setup.

BTFLCHLD
02-04-2009, 12:43 PM
interesting.... exclusive interview with former Paisley Daily Express editor Norman Macdonald (http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/2009/01/16/the-final-curtain-for-the-old-regal-cinema-87085-22703290/)

In an attempt to locate the original interview to determine date, located -0- :shrug:

The final curtain for the old Regal Cinema
Jan 16 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

THE old Regal Cinema on High Street is to be demolished, marking the end of an era for Paisley and its people.

The town once boasted seven cinemas and had more picture houses per head of population than anywhere in Europe.

When the bulldozers move in over the next few weeks fond memories will be triggered for those who once filed through its doors.

Built in 1934, the Regal changed its name to the ABC in 1960s, during which time it was always packed with thousands of young Buddies rushing along to the Minors on a Saturday morning.

Amongst those fans was our very own singer-songwriter Buddie Gerry Rafferty. The Baker Street singer revealed how he went along to the Minors and sang along to their theme tune in an exclusive interview with former Paisley Daily Express editor Norman Macdonald. It was renamed the Regal when it was bought by CAC in 1978 and closed as a cinema in 1981.

The building was bought over by County Bingo and was run as a bingo and social club before being sold on to Gala, which triggered its closure on March 5, 2006.

Ellen Farmer, chair of the Old Paisley Society, said it was a great shame that the building was being bulldozed.

She said: “Unless there’s another use for it, I suppose there’s nothing else to be done with the building.

“I think back to my own children and they went to the ABC Minors and they’re in their 40s now. I went as well when I was younger!

“It’s sad, a lot of people will have a lot of fond memories of the building and will be sorry to see it go.”

Buddie Michael Fedigan added: “What was once a architectural art nouveau gem in the history of Paisley’s cinema’s past has been left to rot and decay. It shall be a sad day in the history of Paisley to see the building go.

“Why couldn’t it have been re-opened as a cinema in the heart of Paisley instead of having to travel to Linwood or Glasgow to see a movie?

“This is yet another blow to the Paisley High Street.

“What is Renfrewshire Council actually doing? Couldn’t they have stepped in a long time ago and made sure something positive was done with the building for Paisley?

“One by one we seem to be losing all our proud history of the town.”

The building will be down by the end of February.

Surveyor Gordon Speir from Central Demolitions said: “We started on-site this week.

“The building has a lot of asbestos in it so we’ll be working on removing that over the next two to three weeks.

“It won’t take long to come down.

“We’ll probably do it over a weekend because there will be some road closures because of where it is situated. We don’t have an exact timetable yet but the building will definitely be down by the end of next month.”

BombaySapphire3
02-04-2009, 01:10 PM
Yeah there is really no indication of when the actual interview with Gerry took place but his attendance there seems to be many years ago.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-04-2009, 04:14 PM
Ok my apologies.

No problem.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-04-2009, 04:35 PM
interesting.... exclusive interview with former Paisley Daily Express editor Norman Macdonald (http://www.paisleydailyexpress.co.uk/renfrewshire-news/local-news-in-renfrewshire/2009/01/16/the-final-curtain-for-the-old-regal-cinema-87085-22703290/)

In an attempt to locate the original interview to determine date, located -0- :shrug:



Good find!

I've emailed the paper to see if they can shed light on when this interview was. Hopefully they will respond.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-08-2009, 04:31 PM
The reporter did respond, however the intervirew referred to was several years ago, so no indication of Gerry's current whereabouts.

However, Gerry has always been reclusive, so no news is not necessarily an indication he has come to harm.

The Catdancer
02-08-2009, 05:58 PM
from the info that I can glean he was apparently in for complications secondary to a lifetime of heavy drinking .It is reported he left all his belongings in the hospital room as well as urine soaked sheets.If he is still missing at this point sadly he may no longer be alive.

Oh wow, I had no idea. Sad story :distress:

BombaySapphire3
02-09-2009, 12:34 AM
The reporter did respond, however the intervirew referred to was several years ago, so no indication of Gerry's current whereabouts.

However, Gerry has always been reclusive, so no news is not necessarily an indication he has come to harm.

I hope he is alive and well somewhere ..I'm aware of him being somewhat of a recluse.His refusal to tour much even at the height of his fame is said to have contributed to his fading into obscurity by the mid 1980s.

Almost Simon
02-09-2009, 09:41 AM
I hope he is alive and well somewhere ..I'm aware of him being somewhat of a recluse.His refusal to tour much even at the height of his fame is said to have contributed to his fading into obscurity by the mid 1980s.

Despite fading out of the limelight I believe he earns a very good annual wage off the back of his ‘Baker Street’ royalties. It’s still a staple of UK Gold radio after 30 years. Classic tune. As is Nightowl, another huge favourite of mine.

Ench
02-19-2009, 02:52 AM
Gerry Rafferty found in Tuscany, I'm told.

BombaySapphire3
02-19-2009, 01:23 PM
Gerry Rafferty found in Tuscany, I'm told.

Gerry Rafferty happily stuck in the middle of Tuscany
Baker Street singer Gerry Rafferty has assured fans he is not missing, but happily living in Tuscany and writing his next album.

By Sarah Knapton
Last Updated: 10:29PM GMT 17 Feb 2009

Gerry Rafferty: It was feared the multi-million selling musician could have been kidnapped. He was actually living in Tuscany. Photo: MICHAEL OCHS/GETTY
Concern grew for the former Stealers Wheel frontman after friends and family said they had not heard from the singer for six months.

Rafferty caused alarm after vanishing from St Thomas' hospital in London last summer when he was being treated for liver failure.

Earlier this week The Guardian newspaper reported he was hiding in the south of England and being cared for by a friend.

But his solicitors issued a statement refuting the story and saying Rafferty was "extremely well", composing new songs at his home in Italy.

A statement given to Channel 4 News said: "Contrary to reports Gerry is extremely well and has been living in Tuscany for the last six months.

"At his house there, which is situated just north of Florence, he continues to compose and record new songs and music.

"He would like to send a personal thank-you to all of his fans who have expressed their concern for his wellbeing and he hopes to release a new album of his most recent work in the summer of this year."

The Paisley-born singer, who had formed the Humblebums with Billy Connolly before going on to front Stealers Wheel and writing Stuck in the Middle With You, hit the headlines in August when he trashed his room at the Westbury hotel, where he had been staying for four days.

His former Stealers Wheel bandmate Tony Williams, who is now a councillor in Blackpool, said he had been concerned for Rafferty although he had not seen him for many years.

He said: "I'm delighted he's fine."



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/4683901/Gerry-Rafferty-happily-stuck-in-the-middle-of-Tuscany.html

BTFLCHLD
02-19-2009, 01:53 PM
Concern grew for the former Stealers Wheel frontman after friends and family said they had not heard from the singer for six months. hmmm...he must not be that close to any of them. :shrug:

Neb-Maat-Re
02-22-2009, 06:49 PM
A similar report from The Gauardian.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/feb/17/gerry-rafferty-in-hiding

Good to hear he is OK after all.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-22-2009, 06:50 PM
hmmm...he must not be that close to any of them. :shrug:

Well, if someone is reclusive, you might be used to not hearing from them for long periods.

Neb-Maat-Re
02-22-2009, 06:52 PM
Despite fading out of the limelight I believe he earns a very good annual wage off the back of his ‘Baker Street’ royalties. It’s still a staple of UK Gold radio after 30 years. Classic tune. As is Nightowl, another huge favourite of mine.

I read one report of 80,000 pounds per year from Baker Street alone.

Although, you can't always believe what you read on the internet.

Neb-Maat-Re
12-02-2010, 04:12 PM
There was such a fuss last year about Gerry allegedly going missing, I'm surprised there hasn't been a mention of his current serious state:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/hope-for-family-as-rafferty-is-taken-off-life-support-machine-1.106786

Meowi
12-03-2010, 02:53 AM
The newspaper Scotland on Sunday reported that Rafferty was asked to leave the Westbury Hotel in London during July 2008. This report stated that the hotel manager had claimed that other residents were distressed by his habit of relieving himself in various corners of the hotel and that his suite was also in a disgraceful and unusable condition.[5] He then checked himself into St Thomas' Hospital suffering from a chronic liver condition. The same report claimed that on 1 August 2008, Rafferty had disappeared, leaving his belongings behind, and that the hospital had filed a missing persons report.[5] However, this was rebutted by the Metropolitan Police who stated that no such missing persons report existed.[9]
After unconfirmed sightings and unauthenticated reports that he was in contact with his family, on 17 February 2009 The Guardian reported that Rafferty, "who has battled alcoholism for years", was in hiding in the south of England, being cared for by a friend.[10] Subsequently, Rafferty's spokesperson Paul Charles told The Independent newspaper that he had been in touch with Rafferty two weeks previously and that he was alive and well but had no plans to either record or tour.[11] This was then contradicted by a further report in The Daily Telegraph on the following day which quoted from a statement by his solicitors issued to Channel 4 news: "Contrary to reports, Gerry is extremely well and has been living in Tuscany for the last six months......he continues to compose and record new songs and music......and he hopes to release a new album of his most recent work in the summer of this year [2009]".[12][13] The album, titled Life Goes On, was released in November 2009.[14] In November 2010, Rafferty was admitted to a hospital in Bournemouth, Dorset, suffering from liver failure. His family were told that there was little chance of his survival, although after he was taken off life support, his condition began to improve. He remains in a critical condition.[15]

louielouie2000
12-03-2010, 03:29 AM
Thanks for the update, Matt. I had no idea all of this was going on. What a sad, tragic, yet fascinating story. I have several family members who are addicts, so Gerry's story definitely hits very close to home for me. It's always seemed like such a cruel duality that so many incredibly intelligent, ultra-talented individuals battle lifelong addiction and self-destruction. I suppose the source of many of those individuals talents are rooted in that affliction, though. I wish Jerry and his family all the best, though I know how these stories always end. :distress: