Rick Davies, the co-founder, vocalist, and principal songwriter of the legendary British rock band Supertramp, died at age 81 at his home on Long Island on September 5, 2025, after a decade-long battle with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. The news was announced by The Supertramp Partnership on September 7, with tributes flooding in from fans and fellow musicians alike, recognizing Davies' profound influence on rock music and his enduring legacy as the creative force behind some of the genre’s most iconic songs.
Davies’ journey from a childhood in Swindon, England, to the heights of global stardom was paved with an unyielding passion for music. According to the band’s statement, his love for music began early, inspired by jazz drummer Gene Krupa’s ‘Drummin’ Man,’ and blossomed into a lifelong devotion to jazz, blues, and rock’n’roll. As recounted by Variety, Davies started out as a drummer and later shifted to keyboards, a move that would define his sound and the future of Supertramp. One of his first bands, Rick’s Blues, even included future pop star Gilbert O’Sullivan on drums, who would later cite Davies as a key mentor.
In 1969, after the breakup of his group The Joint, Davies set out to form a new band. He placed an ad in Melody Maker magazine, which caught the attention of Roger Hodgson. Their musical chemistry was immediate, and together with guitarist Richard Palmer and drummer Robert Millar, they formed a band initially called Daddy, soon renamed Supertramp in January 1970. The band’s early years were buoyed by financial support from Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes, allowing them to focus on their music and hone their craft.
Supertramp’s breakthrough came with their third album, Crime of the Century (1974), featuring the Davies-penned single “Bloody Well Right,” which marked their first major success in the United States. The band’s classic lineup—Davies, Hodgson, Dougie Thomson, Bob Siebenberg, and John Helliwell—found its stride, blending progressive rock with pop sensibilities. The partnership between Davies and Hodgson became the backbone of Supertramp’s distinctive sound, with Davies’ soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer piano providing the heartbeat of their music.
The band’s commercial peak arrived with the 1979 release of Breakfast in America. The album, which included hits such as “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” and “Take the Long Way Home,” became a global phenomenon, selling over 30 million copies worldwide and earning two Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year in 1980. As BBC News described, “His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the band’s sound.” The success of Breakfast in America propelled Supertramp to international stardom, with their music resonating across generations and continents.
But creative tensions simmered beneath the surface. By the release of the 1982 album Famous Last Words…, relations between Davies and Hodgson had deteriorated. Hodgson left the band in 1983 to pursue a solo career, citing creative differences and personal disputes, including disagreements over songwriting royalties—a legal saga that continued for decades. According to BBC News, the band’s arrangement to share royalties among members lasted until 2018, after which Thomson, Helliwell, and Siebenberg sued both Hodgson and Davies. A settlement was reached out of court in 2023, but as recently as August 2025, a US appeals court ruled that Hodgson must share royalties with his former bandmates.
Despite these challenges, Davies was determined to keep Supertramp alive. He assumed full leadership of the band, taking over lead vocals and songwriting duties. The group released four more albums after Hodgson’s departure, including Brother Where You Bound (1985), Free as a Bird (1987), and their final studio album, Slow Motion, in 2002. Davies’ resilience and vision kept the Supertramp spirit alive, even as the band’s lineup evolved over the years. He continued to perform, often under the name Ricky and the Rockets, delighting fans with his signature sound well into the 21st century.
In 2015, Supertramp announced a 25-date European reunion tour, but plans were abruptly canceled when Davies was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The diagnosis marked the beginning of a decade-long battle with cancer, which ultimately forced him to step back from touring and focus on his health. Nevertheless, Davies remained a beloved figure in the music community, admired for his warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife, Sue, who has been Supertramp’s manager since 1984. The band’s tribute described him as “the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history.”
Supertramp’s impact on rock music is undeniable. The band received four Grammy nominations and saw two of their albums certified diamond in Canada. Their music, a blend of introspective lyrics, intricate arrangements, and memorable melodies, continues to inspire new generations of musicians and fans. Songs like “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “The Logical Song” remain staples on classic rock radio and streaming playlists worldwide.
Davies’ legacy is not only found in his music but also in the relationships he built and the perseverance he demonstrated through adversity. As noted by Fox News, “Beyond the stage, Rick was known for his warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue, with whom he shared over five decades.” Even after health challenges made touring impossible, he found joy performing with friends in Ricky and the Rockets, proving that his love for music never waned.
The band’s official statement, shared on social media and their website, captured the sentiment felt by many: “Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.” Accompanied by the poignant lyrics from “Goodbye Stranger”—“Goodbye stranger it’s been nice / Hope you find your paradise…”—the tribute served as a fitting farewell to a musician whose work touched millions.
Rick Davies leaves behind a remarkable body of work and a legacy of perseverance, creativity, and kindness. His influence on popular music and the lives of those who knew him, both personally and through his art, will endure for generations to come.
