Davies wrote and sang on numerous Supertramp hits like 'Bloody Well Right' and 'Goodbye Stranger', and was the band’s last original member following the departure of Roger Hodgson in 1982.
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Supertramp co-founder, co-vocalist and keyboardist Rick Davies has died, aged 81.
The news was announced last night via an official statement shared with Variety, and later announced via the band’s social media accounts.
The statement shared that the British musician died on Friday 5 September at his home in Long Island.
“The Supertramp Partnership is very sad to announce the death of the Supertramp founder, Rick Davies after a long illness,” the statement reads. “We had the privilege of knowing him, and playing with him for over fifty years.”
Rick Davies formed Supertramp in London in 1970 with Roger Hodgson – joined by original line-up members Dougie Thomson, Bob Sienbenberg and John Helliwell.
The band found worldwide success with their third album, ‘Crime of the Century’ in 1974 – which included the hit song written by Davis, ‘Bloody Well Right’.
The band reached their commercial peak with 1979's ‘Breakfast in America’, which had the international Top 10 songs ‘The Logical Song’, ‘Take The Long Way Home’ and ‘Goodbye Stranger.’
‘Breakfast in America’ has sold more than 30m copies worldwide and won two Grammy awards.
Beloved songs written by Davies include ‘Rudy’, ‘Goodbye Stranger’, ‘Ain’t Nobody But Me’, ‘From Now On’ and ‘Just Another Nervous Wreck ‘ - as well as co-writing countless hits with Hodgson, like ‘It’s Raining Again’ and ‘Give a Little Bit’.
Roger Hodgson left the band after the release of the album ‘...Famous Last Words...’ in November 1982. Davies carried on leading the band until their break up in 1988.
In 1996, the group reformed with their original line-up, sans Hodgson, and kept releasing music and touring until their final album ‘Slow Motion’ in 2002.
The Davies-led Supertramp were due to reunite for their first tour in four years in 2015, but it was called off as the frontman was diagnosed with multiple myeloma - a type of cancer concentrated in bone marrow that attacks plasma cells.
This is attributed as the cause of his death.
The statement on social media reads: “As co-writer, along with partner Roger Hodgson, he was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history. His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands’ sound.”
“Beyond the stage, Rick was known for his warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue, with whom he shared over five decades. After facing serious health challenges, which kept him unable to continue touring as Supertramp, he enjoyed performing with his hometown buds as Ricky and the Rockets. Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.”
Davies is survived by his wife, Sue, who has been Supertramp’s manager since 1984.
RIP Rick Davies 1944 – 2025.
