Legendary rock musician Rick Davies from Supertramp has passed away.

Superstar Rick Davies, founder of the band Supertramp, passes away - Exploring the Core of Supertramp: An Inside Look

Rick Davies, Founder of Supertramp, Passes Away at 81

Rick Davies, the British musician and founder of the iconic rock band Supertramp, has passed away at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by Supertramp's website and Universal Music.

Born in 1944 in Swindon, a town in southwest England, Davies' musical journey began as a teenager when he founded his first band, Rick's Blues. His passion for music led him to place an ad in the British music magazine "Melody Maker" in August 1969, seeking "a real opportunity". It was through this ad that he met Roger Hodgson, who would become his musical partner and the co-founder of Supertramp.

Formed in London in 1970, Supertramp quickly rose to fame, becoming one of the most famous rock groups of the late 70s. Albums like "Crime of the Century" (1974), "Breakfast in America" (1979), and "Paris" (a live album from the same year) were major milestones, with "Breakfast in America" spending 15 weeks at the top of the charts and securing the band cult status.

Davies' emotive vocals and playing on the Wurlitzer organ were the heartbeat of Supertramp's sound. His unique style, along with Hodgson's, contributed to the band's progressive rock and pop style, with hits like "Dreamer" and "Breakfast in America" becoming instant classics.

However, the band faced a significant turning point when Hodgson left in 1983 to pursue a solo career. Their relationship had deteriorated over the years due to disputes over song rights and money. Supertramp continued without Hodgson, but success was slowly waning. Davies had to cancel a further European tour with Supertramp due to his illness.

Off stage, Davies was known for his warmth, resilience, and dedication to his wife Sue. Recently, he gave small concerts with his band Ricky and the Rockets in his adopted home of Long Island.

Roger Hodgson, the other co-founder of Supertramp, released an instrumental album this year featuring 15 Supertramp songs, but without Rick Davies' iconic vocals. Negotiations for a reunion of Supertramp for their 40th anniversary were reportedly broken off by Hodgson in 2010.

Davies had been battling bone marrow cancer for nearly a decade. Initially, he wanted to be a drummer but started playing the piano when he discovered that local bands needed blues pianists. This serendipitous turn of events led him to his destiny as the founder of Supertramp, a band that left an indelible mark on the music industry.

As we mourn the loss of Rick Davies, we remember his contributions to music and the impact he had on countless fans around the world. His music will continue to live on, a testament to his talent and passion.