PREVIEW

Supertramp star Rick Davies dies aged 81. The British singer and keyboardist passed away on Saturday 6 September after battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for 10 years. A statement was posted on the band's social media pages. ”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 bands' sound (sic).” “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 bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.” Davies met Hodgson, with whom he shared songwriting and vocal duties, after putting out an advert to find bandmates and after a brief stint under the name Daddy, they became Supertramp in 1970. The band experienced a breakthrough with their third album, Crime of the Century, in 1974, but didn't hit the big time until 1979, with their album Breakfast in America. The record sold more than 30 million copies worldwide. Hodgson quit the group in 1983 after the release of their seventh album, ...Famous Last Words and Davies continued for four more albums, concluding with 2002's Slow Motion. Supertramp announced a reunion tour in 2015, but it was cancelled when Davies was diagnosed with cancer. In recent years, Davies and Hodgson were involved in a legal dispute over Supertramp royalties with their bandmates Dougie Thomson, John Helliwell and Bob Siebenberg. This was still rumbling on as of last month. Davies is survived by his wife Sue, whom he married in 1977.
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