Stealers Wheel was formed by Scottish musicians Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan in 1971. The two were born and raised in Paisley, Scotland, where they attended school together and forged a friendship based on a mutual love of music. Over the years, the band’s lineup took on multiple forms and underwent many changes. The group started off as a five-piece band, consisting of Egan and Rafferty writing songs and performing all vocal arrangements, drummer Rod Coombes, lead guitarist Paul Pilnick, and bassist Tony Williams. It was this lineup that produced Stealers Wheel’s eponymous debut album, Stealers Wheel, in late 1972. The self-titled album gave Stealers Wheel their first and greatest success in the form of hit single “Stuck in the Middle With You.” 

Several tumultuous months after their first album was released, Egan and Rafferty decided they were better suited as a duo, agreeing to bring in session musicians to assist on future studio albums rather than maintaining a full band lineup. The two went on to produce two more albums, Ferguslie Park (1974), and Right Or Wrong in (1975), before disbanding in 1975.

The lasting popularity of “Stuck in the Middle With You” has secured Stealers Wheel’s place in music history. Although sometimes regarded as a “one-hit wonder,” Stealers Wheel’s three-album catalog is still widely cherished by fans. The many philosophical and existential themes explored in Egan and Rafferty’s songwriting remain relevant to this day. 

Rod Coombes, Paul Pilnick, and Tony Williams reunited to revive Stealers Wheel in the early 2000s and are still making music as Stealers Wheel as of 2021.