Rick Davies, the musician who co-founded Supertramp and sang on many of the band’s best-known songs, has died aged 81.
The English singer and keyboard player died on Saturday, ten years after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.
In a statement, the band said: “Rick was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history. His soulful vocals and touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the band’s sound.”
From Swindon to Supertramp
Davies was born in Swindon in 1944. He played in several small groups before placing an advert in Melody Maker magazine in 1969. With financial backing from Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes, he formed Supertramp.
Alongside Roger Hodgson, Davies wrote and sang on the band’s breakthrough album Crime of the Century in 1974. The record featured Bloody Well Right, which gave them their first US hit.
Global Fame
Their biggest success came with Breakfast in America in 1979. It sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and included hits such as The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger and the title track. The album earned two Grammy nominations.
Hodgson left the band in 1983 after tensions with Davies, but Davies continued to record and tour with Supertramp. A planned reunion in 2015 was cancelled following his cancer diagnosis.
Remembered by Fans and Friends
Away from the stage, Davies was known as a private man devoted to his wife, Sue, whom he married more than 50 years ago. In his later years, he played with a local group, Ricky and the Rockets.
“Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire,” the band said. “Great songs never die, they live on.”
