RIP Rick Davies Of Supertramp…
Sad new for fans of classic 70’s art rock…the lead singer of the band Supertramp, Rick Davies, has died.
As reported by CNN:
“Rick Davies, the lead singer and co-founder of British rock band Supertramp, has died at age 81, the band announced Monday.
Davies, who wrote and sang songs including “Goodbye Stranger” and “Bloody Well Right,” died on Saturday of blood cancer multiple myeloma, the band said in a statement posted on its Facebook page and website.
“As co-writer, along with partner Roger Hodgson, he was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history,” the statement said.
“His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands’ sound,” it added.
Here’s a look at some of the great music he left us with…beginning with his terrific live performance of “Bloody Well Right”…
Supertramp Forever!
To honor Davies and the band, let’s look at some of the most beautifully produced progressive pop music of the 70’s!
Supertramp was formed in 1970, with main band members Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson – and the band was known for their innovative and intelligently produced music – written primarily by Davies and Hodgen – and it is their relationship that molded and ultimately broke up the band.
Supertramp burst onto the scene with their brilliant “Crime Of The Century” featuring the hits “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right”, performed here by Supertramp in 2011 with Rick Davies singing lead vocal on the song he wrote:
The band continued to release albums throughout the 70’s, with a sound that mixed progressive rock with catchy, intelligent pop – and moody, introspective ballads…
“Even In The Quietest Moments”
This album only had one hit single, but the album is full of great songs that speak of alienation and loneliness…softer and less playful than some of their music, it includes the single “Give A Little Bit”, and of course, the title track, written by co-founder Roger Hodgson, who performs it here solo – an absolutely beautiful song:
By that time the band was successful, but no one saw what was on the horizon – an album full of hit singles AND great album tracks – Supertramp’s masterpiece:
Time For Some “Breakfast In America!”
“Breakfast in America” was released in 1979, and shot to the top of the US music charts! The album had four hit singles, including “The Logical Song”, “Goodbye Stranger”, “Take the Long Way Home”, and “Breakfast in America”.
The first song to capture the world’s attention was “The Logical Song”, with its witty lyrics and offbeat sound – here is songwriter Roger Hodgson performing it:
Roger Hodgson wrote this hit when he was still in his teens, before he even met Rick Davies and co-founded Supertramp. Roger won the Ivor Novello Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters for “The Logical Song”.
“Take a look at my girlfriend, she’s the only one I’ve got!”
In 1979, the group embarked on a 10-month, 120 city concert tour that required 52 tons of gear, 10 miles of cable, $5 million worth of equipment and a 40 man crew – all to support the monster hit that was “Breakfast In America”!
Here is Hodgson’s live version of the song, with a funny little intro:
The youtube video included this quote:
“It’s consistently one of the most popular songs in the set and it just seems to ignite a wave of joy in the audience when they hear the first chords. Never could I have imagined when I wrote this song at age 19 that it would be gaining in popularity, if that is even possible, over 40 years later. It’s the playful, fun, jubilant quality that people love to hear and sing along to.” – Roger Hodgson
Another massive hit from the album was Davies’ “Goodbye Stranger”…here is a live performance:
Unfortunately, even with this massive success, Hodgson and Davies weren’t getting along, and the band had only one more major hit, just as the era of MTV began.
The band’s next album was their last with both Hodgson and Davies, the hit “Famous Last Words”, which included this smash hit:
“It’s Raining Again”!
It’s MTV time, so the band released a video to support the song:
Hodgson left Supertramp after this album, and the two have never performed together since.
So, listen to these classic albums and remember a great Artist who left us with so much terrific music…
I am a big fan of 70’s music, and I loved Supertramp…I also loved this band:
This was Steely Dan’s debut album, and I own everything they’ve done since…sadly, co-founder Walter Becker dies man-years ago, but I shared a tribute to him and the band as well here…
Another one of the greatest 70’s bands of all time still performs, and just announced new dates in Las Vegas – as the Eagles perform at the iconic Sphere…
I saw the band in 2016 when they had their “History Of The eagles” tour – before co-founder Glenn Frey died – and posted some clips as an homage to him as well, which you can see by clicking here:
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Leave a comment and let me know your favorite “Breakfast In America” song!
Categories: 70's Music, Art, Classic Rock, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
It’s always sad to hear when our superstar singers have died. Nice tribute to one of the greats, John.
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Thanks for passing this on, John. I had not heard about Rick’s death. Much like blogger Peg’s comment, I played Breakfast in America more than any other album the year it came out. Supertramp had one of the most distinctive sounds, probably because it was so unique.
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Have to admit, I kind of loved them
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Timeless because you still hear it when shopping, airports, etc!
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yes!
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Sad news. I had several of their albums and loved their music.
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There are albums like CSN, Pretzel Logic and Breakfast In America from bands I like that I can listen to over and over…they had a unique sound – thanks for the comment!
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Those are all excellent albums, all of which I bought back in the day.
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Loved Supertramp back in the day! I had the Breakfast in America album and played it nonstop. Haven’t heard some of these songs in decades but I still remember most of the lyrics. Sorry to hear Rick Davies died, so many of our icons from back then are passing now. Great tribute for a really “super” musician.
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Thank you for the note…sad to lose artists we love growing up with
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