Raphael Ravenscroft dead: 'Baker Street' musician who played the most famous saxophone solo for just £27, dies aged 60

However, the famous song, which shot to No.3 in the UK Singles Charts in 1978, is said to have earned Rafferty £80,000 a year in royalties

Raphael Ravenscroft, the musician who played the most famous saxophone solo of all time on Gerry Rafferty’s hit record “Baker Street”, has died after a suffering a suspected heart attack.

Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Ravenscroft found instant fame after the release of the 1978 track – despite reportedly being paid only £27 for the recording session with a cheque that apparently bounced.

However, the song is said to have earned Rafferty £80,000 a year in royalties.

“I'm irritated because it's out of tune,” Ravenscroft said during one radio interview in 2011. “Yeah, it's flat. By enough of a degree that it irritates me at best.”

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He made amends with Rafferty by recording tribute song “Forgiveness” in 2011.

The tune saw him duet on the saxophone with the voices of the famous Tenebrae choir.