Rick Davies, the British musician who co-founded Supertramp and helped define their sound, has died at 81 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
The members of Supertramp shared the sad news and expressed their deep sadness at his passing, reflecting on more than fifty years of collaboration and friendship. Davies’ songwriting and performances left an indelible mark on rock music, shaping the sound of a generation. Next, a closer look at the life and career of the legend.
Rick Davies’ Road to Rock Stardom
Rick Davies was born in Swindon, England, in 1944, into a household that valued hard work and practicality. His mother ran a hair salon while his father worked in the merchant navy, and from an early age, Davies showed a remarkable ear for music.
A secondhand record player and a few leftover albums sparked his fascination, and he quickly found himself captivated by rhythm and melody. Drums were his first love, and by the age of twelve, he was playing in a local brass band, laying the foundation for a lifelong career in music.
As a teenager, Davies moved from drums to keyboards, teaching himself to play by ear and experiment with different styles. He formed his first band, Rick’s Blues, while studying at Swindon College, and even mentored future star Gilbert O’Sullivan. Though a family crisis briefly paused his musical ambitions and led him to work as a welder, Davies’ drive never waned. By the mid-1960s, he was performing with The Lonely Ones, which eventually took him abroad and introduced him to the funding that would make his next project possible.
In 1969, Davies placed an ad that would change his life, attracting Roger Hodgson and setting the stage for the formation of Supertramp. The duo’s contrasting voices and backgrounds became a hallmark of the band, and together they crafted songs that blended progressive rock, jazz, and blues influences.
Supertramp’s rise to fame was gradual but undeniable, culminating in the international success of Breakfast in America. Davies’ songwriting and distinctive baritone, alongside his knack for piano-driven arrangements, helped define the band’s sound and cemented hits like “Goodbye Stranger” and “Bloody Well Right” in rock history.
After Hodgson’s departure in 1983, Davies became the sole leader of Supertramp, guiding the band through a period of experimentation and continued touring. He later reunited the group for new albums and tours, even as he faced serious health challenges, including multiple myeloma.
Outside of music, he shared his life with his wife Sue, a longtime manager, and maintained a deep connection to his family in England. Rick Davies leaves a legacy as one of rock’s most distinctive voices and a guiding force for Supertramp’s enduring music.