Rick Davies, co-founder, singer, and keyboardist of the iconic prog-rock and pop band Supertramp, died on Saturday (September 6) at the age of 81, following a long battle with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Davies, who founded the band in 1969 alongside guitarist Richard Palmer, drummer Robert Millar, and vocalist-bassist Roger Hodgson. Davies co-wrote many of the group’s biggest hits – including “Goodbye Stranger,” “Breakfast in America,” and “Bloody Well Right” – and helped propel Supertramp to international success with albums like Crime of the Century and the quadruple-platinum Breakfast in America, which won the band two Grammys as well as earning them an Album of the Year nomination. “The Supertramp Partnership is very sad to announce the death of Supertramp founder Rick Davies after a long illness,” the band wrote in a statement. “We had the privilege of knowing him, and playing with him for over 50 years. We offer our sincere condolences to Sue Davies.” Born in Swindon, England, Davies originally pursued drums before discovering his true calling on the piano, shaping the band’s distinctive sound over five decades. (Rolling Stone)
