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RIP: Raphael Ravenscroft, who played the iconic saxophone solo on Gerry Rafferty’s ‘Baker Street’

Back when Gerry Rafferty died in January 2011, everyone on the internet was oh-so-quick to point out that it wasn’t him playing the iconic saxophone solo on his 1978 hit “Baker Street.”

That distinction belonged to talented Scottish saxophonist Raphael Ravenscroft, who died this past Sunday at the age of 60 from an apparent heart attack.

According to the NME, “Ravenscroft recorded with the likes of Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye and Abba, more recently working with Daft Punk and Duffy. He was initially paid £27 for his ‘Baker Street’ riff, later earning as much as £80,000 a year from the royalties.”

The song reached number two on the US Billboard chart and number three in the UK.

Let’s raise a glass.

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