Wow, 2011 couldn’t wait to show up it’s older brother 2010 (aka The Killer)! Not a mere 4 days into the year and we are hit with the sad news of the passing of Scottish singer/songwriter Gerry Rafferty and Japan bassist Mick Karn. Both bowed out on January 4, 2011.

Gerry Rafferty was best known for perennial soft rock hits like “Baker Street” and the euphonious “Right Down The Line”, not to mention “Studio In The Middle” (which got some street cred for its inclusion in Reservoir Dogs). But for those of us who count J.J. Cale, Steely Dan and Fleetwood Mac (Buckingham/Nicks era) as decidedely NOT guilty pleasures, Mr. Rafferty’s husky and hushed vocals and overall chill vibe was always welcome. It’s an influence seen recently in Midlake’s “Roscoe” from The Trials of Van Occupanther (2006). Great song:

And because we’ll never tire of this (hear the similarities??):

And let’s not forget Mick Karn. Dude could play the bass (and a slew of other instruments). He was most famous as a member of Japan (David Sylvian) but after they split he had a long career that included playing with Peter Murphy (Bauhaus, duh!) in Dalis Car and numerous solo records right up till 2009.

Check out Dalis Car tear it up on Old Grey Whistle Test (live, i think).