The British rock band Supertramp has confirmed that founding member Rick Davies passed away on September 5 at his Long Island residence following an extended illness. He was 81 years old.
The musician, who established the progressive rock group alongside Roger Hodgson, had been battling cancer for several years.
The band released an official statement on Sunday expressing their sorrow at the loss of their co-founder.
"The Supertramp Partnership is very sad to announce the death of the Supertramp founder Rick Davies after a long illness," the statement read.
Rick Davies founded Supertramp in 1970
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"We had the privilege of knowing him, and playing with him for over fifty years. We offer our sincere condolences to Sue Davies."
Davies had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer affecting white blood cells, in 2015.
Born in Swindon in 1944, Davies developed an early passion for music after hearing Gene Krupa's Drummin' Man. He initially trained as a drummer before transitioning to keyboards.
His early group, Rick's Blues, featured Gilbert O'Sullivan on drums, who would later credit Davies as an important influence.
Rick Davies in 2010
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Following performances with various ensembles, Davies placed an advertisement seeking musicians for a new project in 1969.
Roger Hodgson responded to the advertisement, and despite their contrasting vocal styles and backgrounds, the pair discovered a strong musical chemistry.
After briefly performing under the name Daddy, they adopted the moniker Supertramp in January 1970.
The group secured a recording contract with A&M Records and began building their reputation through successive album releases.
Their initial major success arrived with the 1974 release Crime of the Century, which featured the Davies-composed single Bloody Well Right.
The band's popularity expanded with each subsequent release, including 1977's In the Quietest Moments, containing Hodgson's composition Give a Little Bit.
The group achieved international stardom with their 1979 release Breakfast in America, which has sold more than 30 million copies globally and earned two Grammy Awards.
Whilst Hodgson penned and performed their most successful single The Logical Song, Davies' electric piano work was central to the track, and he contributed the answering refrain in the final chorus.
Davies' composition Goodbye Stranger became the album's second chart success.
However, internal tensions culminated in Hodgson's departure in 1983 following creative disagreements that evolved into legal battles over songwriting royalties, with court proceedings occurring as recently as last month.
Supertramp achieved initial major success arrived with the 1974 release Crime of the Century
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Davies persisted with Supertramp following Hodgson's exit, releasing four additional albums with the final being 2002's Slow Motion.
He maintained an active performance schedule until 2022, frequently appearing under the moniker Ricky and the Rockets.
The 2015 multiple myeloma diagnosis necessitated intensive medical intervention, forcing the cancellation of a planned European reunion tour that year.
Despite his health challenges, Davies remained committed to performing in smaller venues and projects.
Rick Davies was diagnosed with cancer in 2015
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On social media platforms, the band paid tribute to Davies' "warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue", acknowledging him as "the voice and pianist behind Supertramp's most iconic songs".
They noted his distinctive Wurlitzer playing and soulful vocals as fundamental elements of the group's signature sound.
Davies leaves behind his wife Sue, who has served as Supertramp's manager since 1984.
Tributes have flooded social media, with one writing on X: "RIP Rick Davies, vocalist, composer and keyboard player with the band Supertramp.
Supertramp's 1974 breakthrough third album, Crime of the Century was the first vinyl album I ever bought. Listen to the title track-very relevant in these times!"
A second added: "RIP Rick Davies. Such a great musician!"
Another penned: "RIP Rick Davies of Supertramp. His melodies and distinctive voice will live on for longtime and new fans of their music."
"RIP Rick Davies, you wrote/co-wrote some of my favourite songs and I was lucky enough to see you perform them. Your soul and music will live forever," someone else added.
One more posted: "RIP Rick Davies. Another contributor to the soundtrack of my youth." (sic)