Baker Street saxophone star Raphael Ravenscroft dies

THE musician who played the most famous saxophone solo of all time on the classic hit Baker Street has died.

Raphael Ravenscroft played with a host of big names. Picture: SWNS

Raphael Ravenscroft recorded the renowned eight- bar sax riff on the 1978 Gerry Rafferty song.

Mr Ravenscroft, originally from Dumfries but who later moved to Exeter, Devon, also worked with Pink Floyd, Abba, Marvin Gaye and later Daft Punk and Duffy during his music career.

Friend Julie Bookham said yesterday that he died at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, aged 60.

Raphael Ravenscroft played with a host of big names. Picture: SWNS

She said: “Raphael suffered a stroke some time ago. We believe he had a heart attack. He was taken to hospital but died early [on] Sunday morning.”

Mr Ravenscroft’s other performing credits include work with Maxine Nightingale, Kim Carnes, Mike Oldfield, Chris Rea, Robert Plant, Brand X, Hazel O’Connor and Bonnie Tyler.

In 1979, he released the solo album Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway. He later played on albums and sessions with Duffy, Mary Hopkin and Daft Punk.

He was also the author of several books on the instrument’s technique, including the instruction manual The Complete Saxophone Player.

In the summer of 2012, he took a break due to ill-health and moved back to Devon.

He has married and divorced twice and separated from his third wife in 2009.

His daughter, from his second marriage, is the artist Scarlett Raven.