Tribute to Rick Davis, Founding Member of Supertramp

Rick Davis, known for co-founding the iconic 1970s British rock band Supertramp, has died at the age of 81. He passed away at his Long Island residence after a long struggle with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, as reported by the band.

Remaining members of Supertramp took to social media to honor Davis, expressing their heartfelt condolences. They shared how deeply saddened they were by his passing.

In a post, they stated, “We are very sad to announce the death of Supertramp founder Rick Davis after a long illness.” He is recognized for his work on the hit song “Goodbye Stranger.” They mentioned that he passed away on September 5th, emphasizing that they had known and played with him for over five decades.

“As part of the duo with Roger Hodgson, Davis was instrumental in crafting Supertramp’s most unforgettable tracks, leaving a lasting legacy in rock music,” the tribute continued. “His soulful voice and unique piano style contributed significantly to the band’s signature sound.”

Alongside this tribute, they included lyrics from the 1979 hit “Goodbye Stranger,” which read, “Goodbye Stranger was amazing / I hope you find your paradise…”

Davis co-founded the band in 1970 with Hodgson and, shortly after, they welcomed musicians Dougie Thomson, Bob Siebenberg, and John Helliwell. The group performed together from 1973 until 1983.

Some of their well-known songs include “Give a Little Bit,” “Breakfast in America,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “The Logical Song.” Over the years, Supertramp received four Grammy nominations, including one for Album of the Year for “Breakfast in America.”

These albums were pivotal in establishing their global fame, but unfortunately, tensions began to surface around the release of their 1982 album “The Famous Last Words,” leading to creative differences and a period of disbandment.

Despite this, Davis and the other band members remained together until their last album, “Slow Motion,” was released in 2002.

Born in Swindon, England, in 1944, Davis faced a cancer diagnosis in 2015, just as the band was preparing for a 25-day European tour. This led to the cancellation of the reunion as he had to prioritize his health.