Gerry Rafferty: Renegade Heart

by Bryan Cooney

FOR much of his gifted life, Gerry Rafferty swaddled himself in blankets of mystery and imagination. The late singer-songwriter made millions writing the Seventies classic, Baker Street, but was unable to reach an accommodation with either marriage, fame or alcohol. Now, for the first time, the facts rather than the fiction are presented regarding the enigmatic Scot, whose outstanding back catalogue provides inspiration for many of today's leading artists. Bryan Cooney’s biography of this tortured man’s life offers an objective and absorbing perspective of him through the eyes of family, friends, musicians and associates.

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2012

Reviews

[J R Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely Worth A Read

As a huge Rafferty fan I was keen to read this as there’s not a lot of Rafferty information out there. It took me a while to get used to Cooney’s flowery writing style, I’m not adverse to flowery writing but just not used to it in biography, but I warmed to it as I read. (I was pleased I was reading it on Kindle where the dictionary is only a tap away). The book deals as much with Cooney’s efforts to gain access to his interviewees and their back stories as with Rafferty himself, in part due to many of those he’d wish to interview declining and those that did reluctant to dish the dirt. While Cooney is a self avowed Rafferty fan this is no hagiography and he draws his own subjective conclusions on Rafferty’s complex and enigmatic life and character. Rafferty’s introverted and closeted lifestyle post Baker Street makes him an exceptionally difficult subject for a biography and Cooney has done as well as can be expected considering his chosen subject matter. I enjoyed it.

[Dan Ream · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far this is the only book I’ve found about the life of musician Gerry Rafferty and that alone made it interesting. The author sought out his family and musicians who worked with him, but did not get the cooperation of his ex-wife or his daughter whose perspective would have helped. Rafferty’s alcoholism gradually overcame him and he died from its effects. Apparently when drinking he was very difficult to be around. Sad story of an immensely talented man whose demons overcame him .

[John Ferrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable

Another wonderful talented Scottish
Musician taken from us too soon by the
Curse of the demon drink. Its about time
Money was made available for medical
Research into this illness that seems to take
So many scottish men. At least we still have
The songs .

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a moving and detailed, if somewhat unorthodox, biography of Gerry Rafferty, the supremely talented (and frustratingly uncooperative) Scottish singer/songwriter who gave us "Baker Street" and "Stuck in the Middle With You," among many other memorable songs. Cooney speaks with many of Rafferty's collaborators — from studio musicians to producers and managers to Rafferty's older brother Jim — creating a portrait of a complex man who loved making music but loathed performing it live, and whose refusal to play the fame game likely prevented him from becoming an even bigger music star. The book, published soon after Rafferty's death from alcoholism at age 63 in 2011, is unique in that Cooney includes much about himself and his attempts to track down people who knew and worked with the reclusive musician — an approach that sheds light on the journalist-turned-biographer's substantial challenges in telling the Rafferty story. Highly recommended for fans of 1970s rock music, and Rafferty fans in particular.

[Tim Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stirring Eulogy To Great Scottish Musician

Gerry Rafferty was a worldwide music sensation with massive hit records in the late seventies but he remained a private person, only occasionally touring and not inviting interviews or even contact with fans. He could have been up there with charting serious artists like Dire Straits and Sting in the eighties but he refused to join the party.

This book reveals the torment that Gerry suffered from alcoholism and fear. It also reveals a funny generous man who was passionate about his craft. It also reveals the impact on him of his awful childhood in Paisley, Scotland.

[WR James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rafferty as a musician. It's difficult to get the truth about the guy, as the family mafia have it closely locked down, but this makes a good fist of it and is illuminating. For fans, definitely worth a read.