Post by Rob Durkee on Jan 4, 2011 16:10:51 GMT -5
Gerry Rafferty, who was best known for his huge 1978 hit “Baker Street” plus sang lead on the 1973 hit “Stuck In The Middle With You” by Stealers Wheel, died of liver failure on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. He was 63.
“Baker Street” to this day has been the subject of a controversy as to whether it was or wasn’t a #1 single. As soon the magazine that Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” went by figured out its chart, that publication would immediately get that chart to Casey’s staff (probably via fax). As the story goes, that magazine allegedly reported “Baker Street” to be a #1 single. However, a while later, the same magazine called Casey’s people to say that changes were being made in the chart…and an updated one would be forthcoming. The newer chart had “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb staying at #1 for a seventh week and “Baker Street” holding at #2.
As Matt Wilson, the long-time AT40 staffer who discovered the first Long Distance Dedication letter ever, noted, “It was the shortest stay at #1 ever.”
Ironically, that seventh week at #1 enabled “Shadow Dancing” to become the #1 single for 1978. At #2 for 1978 was “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees, which had spent eight weeks at #1.
“Baker Street” to this day has been the subject of a controversy as to whether it was or wasn’t a #1 single. As soon the magazine that Casey Kasem’s “American Top 40” went by figured out its chart, that publication would immediately get that chart to Casey’s staff (probably via fax). As the story goes, that magazine allegedly reported “Baker Street” to be a #1 single. However, a while later, the same magazine called Casey’s people to say that changes were being made in the chart…and an updated one would be forthcoming. The newer chart had “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb staying at #1 for a seventh week and “Baker Street” holding at #2.
As Matt Wilson, the long-time AT40 staffer who discovered the first Long Distance Dedication letter ever, noted, “It was the shortest stay at #1 ever.”
Ironically, that seventh week at #1 enabled “Shadow Dancing” to become the #1 single for 1978. At #2 for 1978 was “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees, which had spent eight weeks at #1.
