Stealers Wheel co-founder and voice of 'Stuck in the Middle With You' Joe Egan passes away at 77
- Replies 9
The music world has lost another star with the peaceful passing of Joe Egan, the co-founder of Stealers Wheel and the voice behind the timeless classic ‘Stuck in the Middle With You’.
At 77 years old, Egan's departure leaves a void in the hearts of music lovers and a legacy that will continue to resonate through the ages.
The news of Egan's passing was shared in a touching tribute by Martha Rafferty, the daughter of Egan's late bandmate Gerry Rafferty.
‘Very sad news that the other half of Stealers Wheel, Joe Egan, passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon with his nearest and dearest around him,’ she posted on her father’s social media page.
Accompanied by nostalgic photos of the two musicians, she remembered Egan as 'a sweet and gentle soul' and wished him eternal peace.
Before his rise to musical fame, Joe Egan harboured dreams of becoming a professional footballer, but fate had other plans.
During his teenage years at St. Mirin's Academy in Paisley, Scotland, he crossed paths with Gerry Rafferty.
The two shared a hometown and a passion for music, which led them to form Stealers Wheel in the early 1970s.
‘I will always remember him as a sweet and gentle soul. May he rest in peace,’ the message continued.
Their journey to stardom took time. After releasing two singles that failed to significantly impact Stealers Wheel struck gold with their third attempt.
‘Stuck in the Middle With You’ quickly climbed the charts, reaching the Top 10 in the United States and the United Kingdom and selling over two million copies.
The song's infectious melody and relatable lyrics captured the essence of pop-rock, propelling their debut album to Number 50 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The song's legacy was further cemented when it featured in a pivotal scene in Quentin Tarantino's cult classic, Reservoir Dogs.
This exposure introduced 'Stuck in the Middle With You' to new generations, and it has since been featured in a plethora of TV shows and movies, including ER, The Guilt Trip, Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the Middle, That 70's Show, Raising Hope, Top Gear, Cold Case, and The Simpsons.
Despite the success, Egan and Gerry Rafferty parted ways shortly after their 1975 album failed to chart.
Although Stealers Wheel never reunited, the duo maintained a connection over the decades. Gerry Rafferty passed away in 2011 at 63, and now, with Egan's passing, both halves of the iconic duo have left the stage.
Joe Egan's contribution to music will not be forgotten. His work with Stealers Wheel and his influence on the pop-rock genre remains a testament to his talent and creativity.
As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the joy his music has brought countless fans worldwide.
You can watch one of his iconic performances below:
Credit: Alan Rafferty / YouTube
Rest in peace, Joe Egan. Your melodies will continue playing in our hearts and turntables for years.
At 77 years old, Egan's departure leaves a void in the hearts of music lovers and a legacy that will continue to resonate through the ages.
The news of Egan's passing was shared in a touching tribute by Martha Rafferty, the daughter of Egan's late bandmate Gerry Rafferty.
‘Very sad news that the other half of Stealers Wheel, Joe Egan, passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon with his nearest and dearest around him,’ she posted on her father’s social media page.
Accompanied by nostalgic photos of the two musicians, she remembered Egan as 'a sweet and gentle soul' and wished him eternal peace.
Joe Egan, co-founder of Stealers Wheel, died at 77. Credit: Alan Rafferty / YouTube
Before his rise to musical fame, Joe Egan harboured dreams of becoming a professional footballer, but fate had other plans.
During his teenage years at St. Mirin's Academy in Paisley, Scotland, he crossed paths with Gerry Rafferty.
The two shared a hometown and a passion for music, which led them to form Stealers Wheel in the early 1970s.
‘I will always remember him as a sweet and gentle soul. May he rest in peace,’ the message continued.
Their journey to stardom took time. After releasing two singles that failed to significantly impact Stealers Wheel struck gold with their third attempt.
‘Stuck in the Middle With You’ quickly climbed the charts, reaching the Top 10 in the United States and the United Kingdom and selling over two million copies.
The song's infectious melody and relatable lyrics captured the essence of pop-rock, propelling their debut album to Number 50 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The song's legacy was further cemented when it featured in a pivotal scene in Quentin Tarantino's cult classic, Reservoir Dogs.
This exposure introduced 'Stuck in the Middle With You' to new generations, and it has since been featured in a plethora of TV shows and movies, including ER, The Guilt Trip, Gilmore Girls, Malcolm in the Middle, That 70's Show, Raising Hope, Top Gear, Cold Case, and The Simpsons.
Despite the success, Egan and Gerry Rafferty parted ways shortly after their 1975 album failed to chart.
Although Stealers Wheel never reunited, the duo maintained a connection over the decades. Gerry Rafferty passed away in 2011 at 63, and now, with Egan's passing, both halves of the iconic duo have left the stage.
Joe Egan's contribution to music will not be forgotten. His work with Stealers Wheel and his influence on the pop-rock genre remains a testament to his talent and creativity.
As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the joy his music has brought countless fans worldwide.
You can watch one of his iconic performances below:
Credit: Alan Rafferty / YouTube
.png){kind=icon}
and my thoughts and prayers are with his family
