Died On This Date (January 4, 2011) Gerry Rafferty / Had Hit With “Baker Street”
themusicsover Gerry Rafferty
April 16, 1947 – January 4, 2011
Gerry Rafferty was a Scottish singer-songwriter who scored several hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s, most notably, “Baker Street” and “Right Down The Line.” Launching his career as a busker in London’s Underground during the late ’60s, Rafferty soon teamed up with future actor, Billy Connolly in a band called the Humblebums. In 1972, he helped form Stealers Wheel who had a hit with “Stuck In The Middle With You.” Six years later he released City To City which included the smash hit “Baker Street,” with one of the most instantly recognizable openings in pop music history. The album will go down in history as the one that knocked the groundbreaking juggernaut, Saturday Night Fever soundtrack out of the #1 slot in America. He released several more albums over the course of the next two decades, but none came close to the success of City To City. In August of 2008, Rafferty reportedly disappeared from a hospital where he was being treated for chronic liver problems, leaving all of his possessions behind. He resurfaced in the media in February 2009, apparently living in hiding and being cared for by a close friend. Other reports indicated however, that he was suffering from alcoholism but otherwise doing fine. What IS known is that he was still making music, having released Life Goes On in August of 2009. In November of 2010, Rafferty was taken to a hospital where he was placed on life support due to liver failure. He was later taken off support and subsequently passed away on January 4, 2011. He was 63.
Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.
What You Should Own
Kerry McGregor was a Scottish singer-songwriter and actress who found considerable fame when she participated on the popular UK competition program, The X-Factor. She performed in a wheel chair due to injuries she suffered when accidentally falling out of tree at the age of 13. In 1993, McGregor co-founded the band, Nexus and later joined QFX who nearly cracked the Top 20 on the UK charts with their album, Freedom. In 1997, she competed in the Eurovision Song Competition, coming in 2nd place behind Katrina & The Waves. In 2006, McGregor was a finalist on the 3rd season of The X Factor, surviving until the third week of competition. She was mentored by Sharon Osbourne. The season was ultimately won by Leona Lewis. McGregor also appeared in numerous stage shows and television programs throughout her career. In September of 2010, Kerry McGregor was diagnosed with liver cancer. She was 37 when she died of the disease on January 4, 2012.
Bob Weston was a British guitarist and songwriter who is perhaps best remembered for his time with Fleetwood Mac. Brought on as a replacement for Danny Kirwin in 1972. He played and sang on the band’s Penguin and Mystery To Me albums. He also shared writing credits on a few songs. During the band’s 1973 tour, Mick Fleetwood learned that Weston had been carrying on an affair with his wife, Jenny Boyd so the tour imploded, Weston was fired, and the band went on hiatus. Some have speculated that if it weren’t for this event and the turmoil that followed, Fleetwood Mac may have never included Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham who were brought on after Bob Welch quit. Weston went on to record a handful of solo albums and played on releases by the likes of Murray Head, 
Larry “Rhino” Reinhardt was a psychedelic rock guitarist who is most often recognized for his time spent playing in both Iron Butterfly and Captain Beyond. Born and raised in Florida, Reinhardt began playing professionally during the mid ’60s. His earliest bands of note were the Thunderbeats, the Load, and the Second Coming which also included Dickey Betts, 
Esme Barrera was an Austin, Texas music lover who became a familiar face throughout the city’s fabled music venues and just about anywhere music could be heard. Barrera worked with special needs students at a local elementary school, but still found time to work part-time at Austin’s venerable record store, Waterloo Records. She also volunteered as a counselor at a summer music camp known as Girls Rock Austin. After ringing in the New Year at a nearby club, Barrera reportedly walked home alone. At 2:45 am, her badly beaten body was discovered by a friend inside her home. She died of her injuries a short time later. Initial reports indicated that the incident may have been related to other attacks reported in the area that same day. A suspect was not immediately apprehended though composite sketches were distributed throughout the area. Barrera’s brutal death quickly spread throughout the indie rock world and condolences soon followed. Indiana singer Ted Leo tweeted “I was privileged to briefly know an inspirational person from Austin, Tx., who was murdered this NYE. Her name was Esme & she’ll be missed.” YACHT posted, “The world’s lost a shining light, music cheerleader, and great human. Our hearts go out to the friends and family of Esme Barrera. No words,” while Okkervil River tweeted info on how fans can contribute to cover funeral costs. Esme Barrera was 29 years old when she passed away. [UPDATE] In December of 2012, the Austin Police Department announced that the Esme Barrera case was officially closed due to the “death of the offender.” Police reportedly discovered the prime suspect dead of apparent self-asphyxiation in his own apartment a few weeks following Barrera’s death. The alleged perpetrator was found with a plastic bag over his head. He was also a suspect in at least five other similar attacks on women in the area.