Gerry Rafferty, the man behind hits like STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU and BAKER STREET, has died, aged 63.
The Scottish musician passed away from liver failure on Tuesday (04Jan11) after a long battle with alcoholism.
Rafferty fell ill in November (10) and was hooked up to a life-support machine after he was admitted to hospital.
His family members were told he had little chance of survival, but his health improved slightly over Christmas, and Rafferty died at his home with his daughter, Martha, by his bedside.
The singer began his career as a busker, before forming folk group the Humblebums with comedian Billy Connolly. He rose to fame in the 1970s with Stealers Wheel and enjoyed solo success when the group disbanded in 1975.
His Stealers Wheel hit Stuck in the Middle with You has been recorded by the Eagles of Death Metal, Michael Buble and Sheryl Crow, among others, and the song was also used as the soundtrack to a gripping torture scene in Quentin Tarantino's 1992 film Reservoir Dogs.
But his biggest hit was 1978's Baker Street, which became a worldwide smash.
Rafferty also enjoyed success as a record producer - he co-produced the Proclaimers acclaimed 1987 debut album This is the Story.
His funeral in London later this month (Jan11) is expected to be a star-studded affair - his celebrity fans include Sir Paul MCCartney and Eric Clapton.