Joe Egan, the co-writer and singer of the 1970s pop hit “Stuck in the Middle With You,” has passed away at the age of 77. The news was confirmed by a Facebook page managed by the daughter of Gerry Rafferty, Egan’s partner in the band Stealers Wheel. Rafferty himself passed away in 2011.
The Facebook post read, “Very sad news that the other half of Stealers Wheel, Joe Egan, passed away peacefully (Saturday) afternoon with his nearest and dearest around him. I will always remember him as a sweet and gentle soul. May he rest in peace.”
Egan and Rafferty first met in their hometown of Paisley, Scotland, and formed Stealers Wheel in 1972. Their initial singles did not achieve much success, but “Stuck in the Middle With You” became a Top 10 hit in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The song has since been featured in numerous TV shows and movies, most notably in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 film “Reservoir Dogs.”
Despite the success of “Stuck in the Middle With You,” Stealers Wheel did not produce another commercial hit. Egan went on to release two solo albums, “Out of Nowhere” in 1979 and “Map” in 1981, before retiring from music in the 1990s. Rafferty, on the other hand, enjoyed solo success, particularly with his 1978 hit “Baker Street.”
Egan and Rafferty’s friendship began at St. Mirin’s Academy in Paisley, Scotland. Their collaboration on “Stuck in the Middle With You” became their most successful endeavor, reaching the top ten on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, and selling over 2 million copies. The song’s inclusion in “Reservoir Dogs” cemented its place in pop culture history.
Tarantino discussed the song’s inclusion in the film during a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone. He mentioned that the song “would work really well” for a particular scene, and several actors in auditions agreed, choosing it over other options.
Stealers Wheel released a few more hits, including “Everything Will Turn Out Fine” and “Star,” written by Egan, which made it into the Billboard Top 30 and was featured in “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” However, the band split up in 1975 after their third album, “Right or Wrong,” failed to chart.
Although Egan and Rafferty never reunited on stage, they remained in touch for most of their lives. In a 2011 interview with Scotland’s Daily Record after Rafferty’s death, Egan reflected on their friendship, saying, “Like everyone else I suppose we had our fallouts because we spent so much time living in each others’ pockets. But we were still in touch until very recently.”
Egan’s passing marks the end of an era for fans of Stealers Wheel and 1970s pop music. His contributions to the music industry, particularly through his work with Rafferty, have left a lasting impact. The song “Stuck in the Middle With You” continues to be a beloved classic, remembered for its catchy tune and memorable lyrics.
Egan’s gentle soul and musical talent will be remembered by those who knew him and by fans who appreciated his work. His legacy lives on through the timeless music he helped create, ensuring that his contributions to the world of pop music will not be forgotten.
Source: cleveland.com, People, Deadline
