To lose one distinguished musician in a day is unfortunate; to lose two musicians in a day is most unusual. But so it was that Wednesday 5th January 2011 witnessed the passing of Gerry Rafferty and Mick Karn.

Gerry Rafferty will be best known for his iconic song “Baker Street”, but his music career began in the 1960s with the Humblebums, an ensemble he formed with comedian Billy Connolly. They went their separate ways in 1970, and Gerry Rafferty tasted his first commercial success in 1973 with the band Stealer’s Wheel and their hit “Stuck in the middle with you”. Although the single only reached No8 in the charts, it’s continued popularity gave it the status of a No1 record. This was also the case with Gerry Rafferty’s solo success “Baker Street”, when he re-surfaced in the Top 10 in 1978. Once again, the song’s enduring popularity for the next 30 years, meant that it boxed well above it’s it’s weight in terms of it’s No 3 chart peak placing. The song’s constant presence on radio station playlists allegedly earned Rafferty £80,000 per annum in royalties.

“Baker Street” depicted Gerry Rafferty’s formative years as a busker on the streets of London, and indeed was reminiscent of fellow singer songwriter and former busker, Ralph McTell’s one hit wonder “The Streets of London”. Although Gerry Rafferty had commercial success and critical acclaim with his albums “City to City” and the follow up “Night Owl”, which spawned the single of the same name, success after this was fleeting. Like a meteorite, Gerry Rafferty’s career burned brightly, but all too briefly!!

The same could be said of Mick Karn, and his group Japan, fronted by the photogenic and stylish David Sylvian. They were a band that promised so much, but somewhat frustratingly never fulfilled their true potential.  Japan were formed in 1974, during the Glam Rock era, but failed to compete with the the glitz and glamour of David Bowie, Marc Bolan and T-Rex, The Sweet, Slade and Gary Glitter. Their time came in 1980 with the Glam Rock / New Wave hybrid era, known as “New Romanticism”. Although their chart success was modest – they frequently reached the lower reaches of the Top 75, they were best known for their Top 10 hits “Ghosts” and “Second that Emotion”.  However such was the artistic merit of their music combined with the arty charisma of lead singer David Sylvian and bass guitarist Mick Karn, their place in the Rock Hall of Fame is assured and guaranteed. I recall seeing Japan perform at Sheffield Town Hall in September 1982, and my lasting and abiding memory of that evening was Mick Karn’s distinctive, idiosyncratic movement around the stage like a clockwork toy. Bass guitarists were not meant to have a presence on stage: they were meant to be low profile in the mould of Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, John Entwistle of The Who and Queen’s John Deacon. That autumnal night in Sheffield, Mick Karn had a mesmerising presence on stage, totally eclipsing his lead vocalist and lead guitarist. And that’s how I will always remember him!!

If you wish to immortalise Gerry Rafferty’s single “Baker Street” or Japan’s album “Tin Drum” as a framed and mounted souvenir, then click on…. http://www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/ A framed vinyl record or CD from any of Gerry Rafferty or Japan’s back catalogue would make a unique present or original gift for a special celebration  ie a 40th or 50th Birthday, A Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, an Engagement or Valentine’s Day!! THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!