Paisley music figures pay tribute to Stuck in the Middle With You hit writer Joe Egan

Iconic Paisley musician Joe Egan has been remembered as a “sweet and gentle soul” and an “inspiration” as Buddies mourn his death.

Joe Egan, of Stealers Wheel, died at the age of 77 on Saturday.

Egan, who co-wrote the band’s cross-Atlantic hit Stuck in the Middle With You, was a bandmate of fellow Buddie music legend Gerry Rafferty, who he met during their time together at St Mirin’s Academy.

It was Gerry’s daughter Martha who broke the news of Joe’s death.

Posting on her dad’s official Facebook page on Sunday, she said: “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’s Stuck in the Middle With You became a Top 10 hit in both the US and the UK in 1973 – reaching sixth in the Billboard Hot 100. Its usage in the 1992 movie Reservoir Dogs would see it go through a popular resurgence too.

After Egan had spent time playing with the Sensors and the Maverix, Egan and Rafferty formed the band Stealers Wheel in their hometown in 1972, but by the time their self-titled debut album had been released the same year, Rafferty had already left.

After the success of Stuck in the Middle With You Rafferty would return and the duo released their second album Ferguslie Park, the artwork of which was designed by Ferguslie artist John Byrne.

The album includes the catchy song Star and includes Nothing’s Gonna Change My Mind and Waltz (you know it makes sense) – all Egan songs.

Ferguslie Park and 1975’s Right or Wrong album were commercially unsuccessful and the band split soon after the release of the latter following stagnating sales figures and artistic differences.

Mike Dillon, former owner of Paisley’s renowned Apollo Music store, said he had many fond memories of discussing music with Joe on his many visits to the shop.

He told the Paisley Daily Express : “I’m very sad to hear of the passing of Joe Egan, he was a customer of Apollo Music and one of the nicest guys you could meet, he would spend time with the staff talking about music.

“I’ve always thought that he was a hugely underrated singer songwriter, I’m sure he will be fondly remembered for many years to come.”

Tommy McGrory, Paisley’s well-known music man and owner of iconic Shuttle Street venue The Bungalow, has called Egan an inspiration.

He said: “I remember watching Top of the Pops when I was 18 and up popped Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty performing Stuck in the Middle With You.

“I was amazed and inspired that two Paisley boys were on the telly. Since then I have been a fan of Joe’s. Sad to lose such a talented and lovely guy.”

Born in Ferguslie Park on October 18, 1946, Egan also released two solo albums, Out of Nowhere in 1979 and Map in 1981.

Later in life he worked as a publisher.

Rafferty and Egan remained in contact for decades despite never reuniting.

Rafferty died in 2011 after battling liver disease.

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