Joe Egan dead: Scottish singer-songwriter & Stealers Wheel co-founder dies aged 77

The band, formed in 1972, rose to fame with their hit song "Stuck in the Middle with You," which reached the Top Ten in both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100.

The news of his death was confirmed on the Facebook page of the late Rafferty, who died in 2011. His daughter Martha, who runs the official page, shared a series of images of Rafferty and Egan together alongside her message.

She wrote: “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.”

Egan and Rafferty were former schoolmates and had played together in various smaller bands before forming Stealers Wheel. The band's success, however, was short-lived due to internal conflicts and management issues, leading to their breakup in 1975. Despite the band's brief lifespan, "Stuck in the Middle with You" remains a classic rock staple and has been featured in various media, including Quentin Tarantino's film "Reservoir Dogs."

After Stealers Wheel disbanded, Joe Egan pursued a solo career, releasing two albums: "Out of Nowhere" (1979) and "Map" (1981). Egan eventually left the music industry in the 1990s.

Tributes have since poured in for the musician from fans. One wrote: “RIP Joe Egan. Hell of a voice, hell of a songwriter, another of Paisley’s finest shuffled off.” Thomas Walsh wrote: J”oe Egan has passed away. The wheel has left the stealer. His talent was immense and it shone beautifully, alas, all too briefly. His songs under the 'Stealers Wheel' moniker meant as much to me as Gerry's. They still do.”