Rick Davies truly defined the sound of a generation with his voice, piano, and songwriting, shaping Supertramp into one of the most distinctive bands in rock history. His work on classics like The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger, and Take the Long Way Home left an imprint that still resonates deeply with fans today.
On September 5, at the age of 81, Davies passed away peacefully at his home in Long Island after living with cancer for more than a decade. He had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015, a serious bone marrow cancer that weakens the body’s ability to produce healthy white blood cells. Even in the face of this long illness, he remained resilient and connected to music until the end.Born in Swindon, England, Davies showed an early passion for music, despite struggling in school. As his mother once reflected, “Music was the only thing he was any good at at school.” That passion guided him toward a life-changing partnership. In 1969, he co-founded Supertramp alongside Roger Hodgson. Though the two came from contrasting backgrounds—Davies rooted in working-class grit and Hodgson shaped by private schooling—their chemistry was undeniable. They shared vocals, traded musical ideas, and crafted songs that would speak to millions.