Relax! Gerry Rafferty is alive and well in Tuscany

[BurtWorm]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/18/gerry-rafferty-alive-tuscany-music

Gerry Rafferty, the singer who wrote the 1978 hit Baker Street, who was rumoured to have gone missing, is alive and well and writing music in his Tuscany home.

The Paisley-born singer, who formed folk group the Humblebums with comedian Billy Connolly before going on to front Stealers Wheel and writing Stuck in the Middle With You, hit the headlines in August when he trashed his room at the Westbury hotel, where he had been staying for four days. He then checked himself out of London's St Thomas's hospital where he was receiving treatment for liver failure.

Earlier this week there were reports that his friends were concerned about his safety as he had been missing for six months.

His office said in a statement today: "Contrary to what some sections of the media are suggesting, Gerry is extremely well and has been living in Tuscany for the past six months. In his house there, which is situated just north of Florence, he continues to compose and record new songs and music. He would like to send a personal thank you to all of his fans who have expressed their concern for his wellbeing and he hopes to release a new album of his most recent work in the summer of this year."

Rafferty had been battling alcoholism for years and concerns were raised when he walked out of hospital leaving clothes and belongings behind. Speculation mounted on music websites that he had been kidnapped. One fan wrote: "Don't worry. He's fine. I served him in a restaurant just off Piccadilly Circus tonight, then helped him to his hotel. Thought he looked familiar, so I went back and asked the porter his name."

It is estimated that Rafferty makes a reasonable income each year from royalties from his most famous track, Baker Street, which came from his 1978 solo album, City to City. Stuck in the Middle With You made Rafferty and co-writer Joe Egan a fortune when it was used on the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's 1992 film Reservoir Dogs.