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Did Bob Holness play saxophone on Baker Street? Was Bob Holness the Baker Street saxophonist?
(40 minutes later)
As the nation mourns the sad passing of singer Gerry Rafferty, the myth involving his famous song Baker Street and a certain quiz show host has received a fresh airing. So how did it come about?As the nation mourns the sad passing of singer Gerry Rafferty, the myth involving his famous song Baker Street and a certain quiz show host has received a fresh airing. So how did it come about?
Mention Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street and it's not long before someone pipes up with the classic "Did you know…" associated with the song.Mention Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street and it's not long before someone pipes up with the classic "Did you know…" associated with the song.
The story goes that quiz show host Bob Holness, a radio and television presenter known to millions for his 12 years on ITV's Blockbusters, played the saxophone solo that defined the track.The story goes that quiz show host Bob Holness, a radio and television presenter known to millions for his 12 years on ITV's Blockbusters, played the saxophone solo that defined the track.
It's not true, of course. The real saxophonist was a Scottish musician named Raphael Ravenscroft.It's not true, of course. The real saxophonist was a Scottish musician named Raphael Ravenscroft.
So firmly is this untruth embedded in people's minds that in Twitter discussions following Rafferty's death, it was Holness's name that came up time and again, although sometimes in a very knowing way.So firmly is this untruth embedded in people's minds that in Twitter discussions following Rafferty's death, it was Holness's name that came up time and again, although sometimes in a very knowing way.
It is thought the myth first appeared as a blatant spoof in the Believe It Or Not column in NME's Thrills page, in 1990.It is thought the myth first appeared as a blatant spoof in the Believe It Or Not column in NME's Thrills page, in 1990.
Music writer Stuart Maconie, who was once NME's assistant editor, has claimed responsibility.Music writer Stuart Maconie, who was once NME's assistant editor, has claimed responsibility.
"My personal and silly part in a sad story is that as an NME writer I invented the urban myth claiming that Bob played the sax solo on Gerry's 1978 hit Baker Street," he said, writing this week."My personal and silly part in a sad story is that as an NME writer I invented the urban myth claiming that Bob played the sax solo on Gerry's 1978 hit Baker Street," he said, writing this week.
"That's not true. What is, is that Gerry's enigmatic, wry songcraft and his way with a nagging melody made him a reluctant star in successive eras of 70s pop."That's not true. What is, is that Gerry's enigmatic, wry songcraft and his way with a nagging melody made him a reluctant star in successive eras of 70s pop.
"But most famously his single Baker Street was a worldwide hit - helped by his melancholic delivery and that unforgettable sax line, played not by Blockbusters host Bob but Raphael Ravenscroft.""But most famously his single Baker Street was a worldwide hit - helped by his melancholic delivery and that unforgettable sax line, played not by Blockbusters host Bob but Raphael Ravenscroft."
But Maconie may not provide the whole story. Tommy Boyd has also laid claim to being the first to make the connection, years before Maconie, while a DJ on London's LBC, looking for false stories for a quiz. But Maconie may not provide the whole story. Tommy Boyd has also said he was the first to make the connection, years before Maconie, while a DJ on London's LBC, looking for false stories for a quiz.
"The idea of someone as neat and tidy as Bob being able to swing out a raunchy sax came easily, and I ran 'True or false: Bob Holness played sax on Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street?' for one night.""The idea of someone as neat and tidy as Bob being able to swing out a raunchy sax came easily, and I ran 'True or false: Bob Holness played sax on Gerry Rafferty's Baker Street?' for one night."
Whatever the exact genesis, it gained momentum and Holness was often questioned about it.Whatever the exact genesis, it gained momentum and Holness was often questioned about it.
Years later, he said: "I would have loved to have been responsible for that tremendous sax solo but I can't play a note."Years later, he said: "I would have loved to have been responsible for that tremendous sax solo but I can't play a note."
It's one of those pop legends that has been repeated many times, says Simon Warner, lecturer in popular music studies at the University of Leeds.It's one of those pop legends that has been repeated many times, says Simon Warner, lecturer in popular music studies at the University of Leeds.
"It used to pop up in pub quizzes and pub conversations - was Bob Holness the man who played the sax or not?"It used to pop up in pub quizzes and pub conversations - was Bob Holness the man who played the sax or not?
"I remember Baker Street being out and the sax solo had quite a memorable quality to it. The rift left its mark on pop fans. It was a hit and everyone knew the line, so when this rumour was put around, people took an interest."I remember Baker Street being out and the sax solo had quite a memorable quality to it. The rift left its mark on pop fans. It was a hit and everyone knew the line, so when this rumour was put around, people took an interest.
"Blockbusters was beginning to make an impression at the time so there was this double level of popular cultural exposure, through the music and the TV programme. It's so absurd that it had a ring of truth to it.""Blockbusters was beginning to make an impression at the time so there was this double level of popular cultural exposure, through the music and the TV programme. It's so absurd that it had a ring of truth to it."
But beware from discounting all fanciful facts involving Bob Holness.But beware from discounting all fanciful facts involving Bob Holness.
He was the second actor to portray James Bond, starring in a radio adaptation of Moonraker in 1956.He was the second actor to portray James Bond, starring in a radio adaptation of Moonraker in 1956.
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