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Rick davies, founder and lead singer of the British rock band Supertramp, has died at the age of 81. The musician passed away on September 8, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of progressive rock hits and a complex band history.
Supertramp achieved significant commercial success with their sixth studio album, Breakfast in America. released in 1979, the album sold over eighteen million copies and earned the band two Grammy Awards in 1980 for ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group.’ Davies, alongside bandmate Roger Hodgson, was a primary songwriter and vocalist for the group, known for their intricate arrangements and distinctive sound.
While Supertramp enjoyed widespread popularity internationally, they were especially beloved in the Netherlands. In 1977, concerts in Amsterdam and Rotterdam drew crowds of 25,000, as noted by NRC Handelsblad.However, a review at the time also critiqued the band’s music as somewhat homogenous, stating it ”goes into one ear and the other…Except for a haze of atmosphere, there is little hanging.”
In later years, Davies faced health challenges, including cancer treatment that forced the cancellation of a European concert tour in 2015. Internal disputes over royalties also surfaced, with three band members suing Hodgson and davies, who managed the royalties. Davies ultimately complied with a court order to compensate band members for three songs.
Following his inability to tour due to bone marrow cancer, Davies performed with friends in his hometown of Swindon under the name Ricky and the Rockets. He is survived by his wife, Sue Davies, who also served as Supertramp’s manager.
