The Letter Gerry Rafferty Wrote After Stealers Wheel Broke Up — And Never Sent

April 1, 2025

In the late 1970s, Gerry Rafferty sat alone in his modest apartment, shadows dancing across the walls as the sun set behind the city. He stared at a blank piece of paper, the weight of his thoughts pressing heavily on his heart. Just a few months earlier, his band, Stealers Wheel, had broken up after a whirlwind of success, fame, and creative tension. The sound of their biggest hit, “Stuck in the Middle with You,” still echoed in his ears, but now it felt like a distant memory. Gerry had poured his soul into that music, and the sudden end of the group left him feeling lost, as if a part of him had been ripped away.

As he picked up his pen, he started to write a letter that he had never intended to send. His fingers flew across the paper, expressing a whirlwind of emotions that had built up within him. He wrote about the joy they had shared during their tours, the late-night jam sessions where melodies flowed like rivers, and the bond they formed while navigating the highs and lows of the music industry. But there was also pain. The band’s breakup had hurt him deeply, not just because of the lost partnership but because it felt like a betrayal of their dreams. With each stroke of the pen, he laid bare his feelings of frustration, regret, and hope.

Gerry paused, taking a deep breath as he reflected on the message he wanted to convey. He realized that despite the disbanding, the music they created together would always be a part of him. He wanted to tell his former bandmates that their journey was not in vain, that the songs they wrote together still mattered, and that they had touched countless lives. Music had the power to heal, and even though the band was no longer together, he believed in the importance of carrying on. He wanted them to know that the end of one chapter meant the beginning of another, not just for him but for all of them.

In that moment, something shifted inside Gerry. He decided to channel his feelings into his own solo work rather than dwell on what had been lost. Instead of sending the letter, he transformed the pain of the breakup into beautiful melodies and poignant lyrics that reflected his struggles. Soon, he would release “Baker Street,” a song that would become a defining hit of his career. The haunting saxophone riff and heartfelt lyrics resonated with listeners around the world, and Gerry found himself connected to a larger audience than he ever had with Stealers Wheel.

Though he never sent that letter, it served as a pivotal moment in Gerry’s life. It reminded him that every ending could lead to a new beginning, and that resilience was key. Music was his passion, and it was the very essence of who he was. As Gerry went on to achieve great success as a solo artist, he carried the lessons of that moment with him. He learned that sometimes, the things we don’t say can pave the way for the most beautiful expressions of our hearts. Through struggle, he found his voice, and through that voice, he inspired countless others to find theirs.