The British rocker died after battling cancer for over a decade
Rick Davies, founder, lead singer, songwriter and keyboardist of Supertramp, passed away on Saturday, September 6th, at the age of 81 after battling multiple myeloma for over ten years.
Born in Swindon, England in 1944, Rick’s love of music began in his childhood listening to Gene Krupa’s “Drummin’ Man,” which grew into a lifelong passion for jazz, blues and rock’n’roll. 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 band’s 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 bear testament to the fact that great songs never die; they live on,” the group shares on its socials.
Davies, along with co-founder Hodgson, was one of the two main songwriters for Supertramp. Their contrasting styles—Davies’s bluesy, jazz-tinged progressive rock and Hodgson’s more melodic pop sensibilities—defined the band’s unique sound. Davies’s distinct raspy baritone was featured on many of Supertramp’s hits, including “Bloody Well Right,” “Crime of the Century,” and “Goodbye Stranger.”
After Hodgson’s departure in 1983, Davies continued to lead Supertramp, releasing several more albums and touring until his diagnosis with multiple myeloma in 2015, which led to the cancellation of a planned tour.
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that forms in a kind of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells are found in the bone marrow (the soft, inner part of bones where new blood cells are made) and are a vital part of the immune system. They produce antibodies that help the body fight off infections.
In multiple myeloma, these plasma cells become cancerous and multiply out of control, accumulating in the bone marrow. This overgrowth of abnormal plasma cells crowds out healthy blood cells, which can lead to various problems, including issues with bones, anemia, kidney, and a weakened immune system.
