Stealers Wheel

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Stealers Wheel (correctly spelled without an apostrophe in front of the "s") was a British folk/rock band formed in Paisley, Scotland in 1972 by former school friends Joe Egan (born 1944) and Gerry Rafferty (born 1947).

In the beginning of the 1970s, the band was considered as the British version of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and, after two unsuccessful singles, came to worldwide fame with their hit "Stuck in the Middle With You". The track in the style of Bob Dylan and the Beatles reached the top ten of the single charts in Great Britain and the US in 1973 - number 6 in the USA, number 8 in UK - and sold over one million copies on a worldwide basis. Some years later a dance version was a UK Top 10 hit for Louise; the music video for this version of the song drew heavily upon the new reputation it had following its appearance in Reservoir Dogs, though obviously in a sanitised way. The first two albums were produced by the well-known Leiber & Stoller, the last because of disagreements and managerial problems by Mentor Williams. All three had particularly striking, slightly surrealist sleeve designs by artist John Patrick Byrne.

Although the band's self-titled debut album sold quite well, (number 50 in the US-album-charts) and was critically acclaimed, Stealers Wheel could not repeat this success with following releases. In 1973/1974 the two singles "Everything Will Turn Out Fine" and "Star" would also reach the top 30 of both the UK and US charts, but only the latter track is still relatively popular today. Former Spooky Tooth member Luther Grosvenor (later of Mott The Hoople) participated in the recordings for "Everything Will Turn Out Fine" and replaced Rafferty who left the band for quite some time.

Because Rafferty and Egan could not agree whether they should continue as a full band or duo, and because of artistic differences, there was a delay of over 18 months in the release of their third and last album. After frequent changes in the line-up Stealers Wheel broke up in 1975 and their last album Right Or Wrong was released without a band to promote it. Almost two years after Ferguslie Park (1973) the group was hardly known and the two last single releases silently faded away in the charts.

In 1992 director Quentin Tarantino used the track "Stuck In The Middle With You" in the soundtrack of his debut film Reservoir Dogs, bringing new attention to the band. All three albums have been unavailable for years, but in 2004/2005 the British independent label Lemon Recordings (of Cherry Red) re-released them with remastered sound and new liner-notes.

[edit] Band members

• Gerry Rafferty : Vocals, Lead Guitar (1972-1975) (born 16.4.1947, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
• Joe Egan : Lead Vocals, Keyboard (1972-1975) (born Joseph Egan, in 18.10.1946, in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
• Paul Pilnick : Lead Guitar (1972) (born 17.3.1944, in Liverpool, Lancshire).
• Tony Williams : Bass (1972) (born Anthony Williams, 19.3.1947, in Blackpool, Lancashire).
• Rod Coombes : Drums (1972) (born Roderick Coomes, 15.5.1946).
• Joe Jammer : Guitar (1973-1975)
• Andrew Steele : Drums (1973-1975) (born Andrew Roy Malcolm Steele, 2.8.1941, in Henden, North-west London died 18.4.2005, in Alaska, USA).
• Gerry Taylor : Bass (1973-1975)
• Benie Holland : Guitar (1975)
• Dave Wintour : Bass (1975)
• Luther Grosvenor : Vocals, Guitar (November 1972 - July 1973) (born Luther James Grosvenor, 23.12.1946, in Evesham, Worcestershire).

Further members, who did not participate in any recordings

• Rab Noakes : Guitar, Vocals (1972) (born Robert Noakes, 13.5.1947, in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland).
• Roger Brown : Vocals (1972)
• Ian Campell : Bass (1972)
• Delisle Harper : Bass (1973) (born Delisle McKenzie Harper, 20.11.1942).

[edit] Discography

• 1972 - Stealers Wheel

1. Late Again
2. Stuck In The Middle With You
3. Another Meaning
4. I Get By
5. Outside Looking In
6. Johnny's Song
7. Next To Me
8. José
9. Gets So Lonely
10. You Put Something Better Inside

• 1973 - Ferguslie Park

1. Good Businessman
2. Star
3. Wheelin'
4. Waltz (You Know It Makes Sense)
5. What More Could You Want
6. Over My Head
7. Blind Faith
8. Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind
9. Steamboat Row
10. Back On My Feet Again
11. Who Cares?
12. Everything Will Turn Out Fine

• 1975 - Right Or Wrong

1. Benediction
2. Found My Way To You
3. This Morning
4. Let Yourself Go
5. Home From Home
6. Go As You Please
7. Wishbone
8. Don't Get Me Wrong
9. Monday Morning
10. Right Or Wrong

• 1990 - The Best Of Stealers Wheel

1. Stuck In The Middle With You
2. Nothing's Gonna Change My Mind
3. Star
4. This Morning
5. Steamboat Row
6. Next To Me
7. Right Or Wrong
8. Go As You Please
9. Benediction
10. Waltz
11. Blind Faith
12. Late Again
13. Wheelin'
14. José

[edit] References