Rick Davies, co-founder and driving force behind Supertramp, shaped one of rock’s most distinctive sounds through his voice, piano, and songwriting. His work on classics such as The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger, and Take the Long Way Home continues to resonate with generations of fans.

On September 5, at age 81, Davies passed away peacefully at his Long Island home after a decade-long battle with multiple myeloma, a serious bone marrow cancer. Despite his illness, he remained resilient and connected to music until the end.

Born in Swindon, England, Davies showed an early passion for music, even as he struggled in school. In 1969, he co-founded Supertramp with Roger Hodgson. Their contrasting backgrounds—Davies with working-class roots and Hodgson from private schooling—proved a powerful blend that shaped the band’s timeless sound.

By the early 1970s, Supertramp was gaining attention, but their 1979 album Breakfast in America catapulted them to global fame. The record hit number one on the Billboard chart, produced multiple enduring hits, and earned Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.

Creative differences eventually split Davies and Hodgson. Hodgson departed in 1983 to pursue a quieter life, while Davies kept Supertramp alive with new lineups, carrying the band’s music through the 1980s and reviving it again in the 1990s.

In 2015, a planned tour was canceled after Davies was diagnosed with cancer. Though illness kept him from the stage, he shared in 2018 that he had rediscovered joy in playing music, free from intensive treatments.

Beyond Supertramp, Davies cherished over fifty years of marriage to his wife Sue and enjoyed playing with a local band, Ricky and the Rockets, reconnecting with the simple joy of music.

His bandmates and fans remember him for his soulful voice, mastery of the Wurlitzer, and lasting contributions to rock. His music remains a soundtrack to countless lives, ensuring his legacy endures.a