Rick Davies dies at 81; British musician was co-founder and singer of Supertramp

"Rick Davies, the co-founder, singer and songwriter of British band Supertramp, has died after a long battle with cancer, the band said Monday. He was 81. Davies, who co-wrote the band's music with Roger Hodgson, was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp's most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history, the band said in a statement on its website."

"He died Saturday after battling multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for more than a decade, the band said. Davies and Hodgson formed Supertramp in 1969, and produced hits including Goodbye Stranger, The the Long Way Home, The Logical Song, and Give a Little Bit. The band's 1979 album Breakfast in America topped charts in the United States and Canada, won two Grammys and sold over 18 million copies."

Rick Davies co-founded Supertramp in 1969 with Roger Hodgson and served as the band's singer, pianist and principal songwriter. He co-wrote signature tracks including Goodbye Stranger, The Long Way Home, The Logical Song and Give a Little Bit. The 1979 album Breakfast in America topped U.S. and Canadian charts, won two Grammys and sold over 18 million copies. Davies' soulful vocals and Wurlitzer piano became central to the band's sound. He was born in Swindon, England in 1944 and developed a passion for jazz, blues and rock and roll. Davies died at 81 after more than a decade battling multiple myeloma.

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