Not a great start to the new year. First the news of Pete Postlethwaite, then the news today of the passing of Gerry Rafferty earlier today.

Both were extraordinary talents in their respective fields. Pete Postlethwaite was a cracking character actor, whose arguably most famous roles as the enigmatic lawyer, Mr. Kobayashi, in the cult classic The Usual Suspects, and the disillusioned-but-still-bloody-fighting yorkshire miner Danny in Mark Herman’s Brit-classic Brassed Off set him on the road to success, with a string of classy and memorable roles in 50+ films and as many TV roles.

Conversely, Gerry Rafferty was someone whose hit list was somewhat shorter…at least on paper. But the classic tracks he penned, including the iconic Baker Street and of course the enormously successful Steelers Wheel classic Stuck in the Middle seem to be rediscovered by successive generations.

Farewell both. you will be missed.

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