Rick Davies, who was a founding member of the 70s British rock band Supertramp, has died at age 81, DailyMail reports.
According to the report by DailyMail, following a battle with cancer, the singer-songwriter Rick Davies passed away in his Long Island home on Friday.
The sad news was announced in a statement from the band, which gave its condolences to Rick’s widow Sue.
Rick Davies co-founded Supertramp in 1970 alongside fellow singer-songwriter Roger Hodgson.
They later enlisted Dougie Thomson, Bob Siebenberg, and John Helliwell, performing together from 1973 to 1983.
‘The Supertramp Partnership is very sad to announce the death of the Supertramp founder, Rick Davies after a long illness.
‘Rick passed away at his home on Long Island on September 5th. We had the privilege of knowing him, and playing with him for over fifty years. We offer our sincere condolences to Sue Davies,’ the band’s public statement read.
The band also took to Instagram on Sunday to share a tribute using Davies’s lyrics from the 1979 track Goodbye Stranger: ‘Goodbye stranger it’s been nice / Hope you find your paradise…’
They also revealed that Davies had battled Multiple Myeloma for over 10 years.
According to the Mayo Clinic: ‘Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to fight infection, but in this disease, these abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the bone marrow, leading to various symptoms such as bone pain and fractures, frequent infections, fatigue, weight loss, and anemia.’
The music collective was known for hits including Give a Little Bit, Breakfast in America, The Logical Song, and Take the Long Way Home.
They racked up four Grammy nominations during their time together, including 1980’s Album of the Year category for Breakfast in America.
Two of their albums went diamond in Canada.
Following their 1982 album, titled …Famous Last Words…, Hodgson exited the band in pursuit of a solo career after creative disputes.
Davies and the remaining members stayed together, and the following decades saw the bandmates reunite sporadically.
Their final album, Slow Motion, was released in 2002.
In 2015, the year Davies was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, they orchestrated a 25-date European tour, but the endeavor was cancelled due to Davies’s health issues.
Rick Davies was born in 1944 in Swindon, England. He’d celebrated his birthday just weeks ago on July 22.
He ventured into music as a young boy, becoming a drummer and later a keyboardist.
According to Variety, one of his first bands, called Rick’s Blues, included Alone Again, Naturally singer Gilbert O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan would later highlight Davies as a mentor.
In 1969 Davies met Hodgson when he replied to an ad in search of musicians.
Together they formed a new band called Daddy, later switching to Supertramp in January 1970.
Tributes from fans poured in online in the wake of the tragic news.
Australian social media influencer Punt Road took to X to post a video of Supertramp performing.
It was shared with the caption: ‘Farewell Rick Davies, founding member of Supertramp.
He co-wrote such hits as ‘The Logical Song’, ‘Take The Long Way Home’, ‘Breakfast In America’ & ‘Goodbye Stranger’ (the video below). A pickup from my parents, I’ve loved Supertramp since I was a kid. RIP.’
One longtime listener wrote on X, ‘I’m in disbelief, grieving with all my fellow ‘Trampers.’
Composer Bear McCreary paid tribute, writing on the platform, ‘Tearfully celebrating the life and music of Supertramp’s Rick Davies.
‘A generational talent, he wrote “Bloody Well Right,” one of the most iconic songs of the decade. Sending condolences and gratitude to his family. #RIP.’
Freelance music publicist Eric Alper wrote: ‘Rick Davies, founder of Supertramp, has passed away at 81 after a decade-long battle with multiple myeloma. His soulful voice and touch on the Wurlitzer shaped timeless songs like “Bloody Well Right” and “Goodbye Stranger.” A true legend.’
Montreal-based The Terry and Ted Podcast took to Instagram to write: ‘RIP Rick Davies, co-founder of Supertramp – a band that had a special connection with Montreal and was part of the city’s soundtrack in the 1970s and 80s.’
Another fan shared, ‘His lyrics accompanied me in joys and crises, his songs made me think, question, and feel. I formed myself personally and politically listening to him.’
The person added, ‘Today, we need more music that moves us, that makes us think about justice, vulnerability. Thank you, Rick.’
And a Supertramp fan account took to Instagram to share a black and white photo of Davies with the caption: ‘Rick Davies 1944-2025. We have lost a true talent. Rest in much peace Mr. Davies.’