Rock Legend Dies: Supertramp Founder Rick Davies Loses Cancer Battle at 81 as Tributes Pour in for Music Icon
- Rick Davies, co-founder and lead singer of Supertramp, passes away at 81 after long battle with cancer
- The British rock band’s breakthrough came with 1974’s Crime of the Century, featuring Davies’ hit single Bloody Well Right
- Supertramp’s iconic album Breakfast in America earned two Grammys and sold over 10 million copies in Canada, cementing their status as rock legends
Rick Davies, the founder and lead singer of legendary rock band Supertramp, has died at the age of 81 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The music world is in mourning as tributes pour in for the British rock icon who left an indelible mark on the industry.
Davies passed away on Friday at his home in Long Island, New York, surrounded by loved ones. The news was met with an outpouring of grief and admiration from fans and fellow musicians alike, who hailed Davies as a “generational talent” and a “mentor” who inspired countless artists.
“The Supertramp Partnership is very sad to announce the death of Supertramp founder, Rick Davies, after a long illness,” the band said in a statement. “We had the privilege of knowing him and playing with him for over fifty years. We offer our sincere condolences to Sue Davies.”
Born in Swindon, England in 1944, Davies discovered music at a young age, first as a drummer and then as a keyboardist. He co-founded Supertramp in 1970 with Roger Hodgson, and the band went on to achieve incredible success with hits like “The Logical Song”, “Take the Long Way Home”, and “Goodbye Stranger”.
Despite creative tensions that led to Hodgson’s departure in 1982, Davies kept the band alive through the 1990s, releasing their final studio album, Slow Motion, in 2002. A planned 2015 European reunion tour was scrapped after Davies was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
As news of his death spread, fans and fellow musicians took to social media to pay tribute to Davies’ legacy. “I’m in disbelief, grieving with all my fellow ‘Trampers,'” wrote one longtime listener. Composer Bear McCreary added: “Tearfully celebrating the life and music of Supertramp’s Rick Davies. A generational talent, he wrote ‘Bloody Well Right,’ one of the most iconic songs of the decade.”
Davies’ impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. His lyrics inspired generations of music lovers, and his songs will continue to be celebrated for years to come. As one fan reflected: “His lyrics accompanied me in joys and crises, his songs made me think, question, and feel. I formed myself personally and politically listening to him.”
Rest in peace, Rick Davies. Your music will live on forever.