Supertramp singer and co-writer Rick Davies dies at 81

Supertramp founder Rick Davies, who wrote and sang some of the rock band’s best-known hits, has died at the age of 81.

The English vocalist and keyboardist died on Saturday, a decade after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, the band said.

“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,” a statement said.

“His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands’ sound.”

Davies and Hodgson shared writing credits, with Davies predominantly responsible for songs including 1974’s Bloody Well Right, their US chart breakthrough; and 1979’s Goodbye Stranger.

Born in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 1944, Davies started off in a series of bands including one called The Joint. They didn’t make it big but did attract the support of Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes, who offered to back Davies if he started a new group.

So Davies put an advert for new bandmates in Melody Maker magazine in 1969, and Supertramp were born, with funding from Miesegaes for their first few years.

Davies shared writing and vocals with Hodgson, and the band found chart success with their third album, Crime of the Century, in 1974.

They made it big in the USA five years later with the album Breakfast In America, which included hit singles The Logical Song and the title track, as well as Goodbye Stranger. The LP sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Relations between the two frontmen soured, however, and Hodgson left the group in 1983.

Davies continued to record and tour with Supertramp. They announced a reunion tour in 2015, but it was cancelled when Davies was diagnosed with cancer.

“Beyond the stage, Rick was known for his warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue, with whom he shared over five decades,” the band added in their statement.

“After facing serious health challenges, which kept him unable to continue touring as Supertramp, he enjoyed performing with his hometown buds as Ricky and the Rockets.

“Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.”

Supertramp’s classic line-up also included bassist Dougie Thomson, saxophonist John Helliwell and drummer Bob Siebenberg.

In 1977, Davies and Hodgson agreed to reduce their 50% share of songwriting royalties in order to give the trio and the band’s manager a cut – a move Hodgson said was intended “to keep the band functioning and happy”.

That arrangement lasted until 2018, and Thomson, Helliwell and Siebenberg sued Hodgson and Davies in 2021.

Davies settled out of court in 2023. Last month, a US appeals court ruled that Hodgson must share royalties with his ex-bandmates.