Meta Description: Joe Egan, co-founder of Stealers Wheel, known for “Stuck In The Middle With You,” passes away at 77. Discover his legacy and career highlights.
Joe Egan of Stealers Wheel Passes Away at 77
Scotland-born musician Joe Egan, who co-fronted the folk-rock band Stealers Wheel with Gerry Rafferty, has sadly passed away at the age of 77. Egan, best known for the hit song “Stuck In The Middle With You,” leaves behind a rich musical legacy.
Passing and Announcement
Although the cause of death has not been revealed, the news of Joe Egan’s passing was confirmed by the Facebook page of Gerry Rafferty, who himself passed away in 2011. The account, now managed by Rafferty’s daughter Martha, shared touching images and memories of the two musicians together. Martha captioned the post: “Very sad news that the other half of Stealers Wheel, Joe Egan, passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon with his nearest and dearest around him. I will always remember him as a sweet and gentle soul. May he rest in peace.”
Stealers Wheel and “Stuck In The Middle With You”
Stealers Wheel achieved fame with their debut single, “Stuck In The Middle With You,” released in 1973. The track saw a cultural resurgence two decades later when Quentin Tarantino featured it in his film Reservoir Dogs. Although Rafferty briefly left the band, he returned following the single’s success. The band released two more albums before disbanding in 1975, unable to replicate the success of their debut.
Post-Band Careers
After Stealers Wheel disbanded, Gerry Rafferty found solo success with hits like “Baker Street,” while Joe Egan’s solo efforts, 1979’s Out of Nowhere and 1981’s Map, did not achieve similar acclaim. Egan eventually left the music industry and ran a publishing company. Despite a 2008 Stealers Wheel reunion, neither Egan nor Rafferty participated.
Lifelong Friendship
Egan and Rafferty remained close friends until Rafferty’s death. In a 2013 interview with the Paisley Daily Express, Egan expressed his sorrow over losing his former songwriting partner, recounting their frequent phone conversations despite living in different parts of the UK. “Gerry’s death has already left a huge gap in my life. We lived in each other’s pockets for so long and, latterly, would speak regularly on the phone,” he recalled.
Egan continued: “Like everyone else I suppose we had our fallouts because we spent so much time living in each other’s pockets. But we were still in touch until very recently. In fact, I’d be sitting at home in Paisley with a glass in my hand and Gerry would be the same down south. We would talk on the phone for hours and reminisce about the old days.”
Joe Egan’s passing marks the end of an era for Stealers Wheel fans and the folk-rock music scene. His contributions to music, especially through “Stuck In The Middle With You,” will be remembered by many.
