Supertramp Co-Founder Rick Davies Dies at 81

Rick Davies, co-founder, frontman and principal songwriter of progressive-rock band Supertramp, died at his Long Island home on September 5 after a prolonged battle with cancer. His passing was confirmed by the band on Monday, September 8.

The news of Davies’s death marks the end of an era for classic rock. As the only constant member of Supertramp since its 1970 inception, Davies penned and performed many of the group’s defining hits, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history.

Born in Swindon, England, on July 22, 1944, Davies initially played drums before discovering his affinity for keyboards. In 1969, he placed an advertisement that led to his partnership with Roger Hodgson, and the two launched Supertramp (originally called Daddy) in early 1970. Davies’s songwriting and distinctive Wurlitzer piano defined the band’s sound on landmark albums such as Crime of the Century (1974) and Breakfast in America (1979), yielding classics like “Bloody Well Right,” “Goodbye Stranger” and “Give a Little Bit.”

After Hodgson’s 1983 departure, Davies carried Supertramp forward as sole frontman, releasing four more albums through 2002’s Slow Motion. Despite cancelling a 2015 reunion tour due to his cancer diagnosis, he returned to live performance in 2022 with Ricky and the Rockets, demonstrating enduring resilience and dedication to his craft.

Davies is survived by his wife, Sue. His legacy lives on through a catalog of songs that continue to resonate on classic rock radio worldwide.

Career Highlights

  • Co-founded Supertramp in 1970; only constant member until 1988
  • Wrote and sang hits: “Bloody Well Right,” “Goodbye Stranger” and “Give a Little Bit”
  • Led Supertramp through post-Hodgson era (1983-2002)
  • Battled multiple myeloma for over a decade, returning to stage in 2022

Tributes and Legacy

Fans and fellow musicians have taken to social media to honor Davies’s wit, musicianship and the soulful voice that helped define Supertramp’s sound. His songs remain fixtures of rock playlists, testifying to his lasting influence.

This is a developing story.