Rick Davies' Birthday
Well today is Sunday, which means yet another blog posting by me. Today Rick Davies of Supertramp fame turns 74, and as such we will take a ride through his career. Personally, I've been a great fan of Supertram ever since my father turned me on to them in my teens.
It started back in 1969 when Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes (also known as "Sam") approached Rick Davies and decided to support Rick financially so that he could start his own band. After placing an ad in Melody Maker, Rick Davies recruited Roger Hodgson and the two were soon joined by Keith Baker (percussion) and Richard Palmer (guitars). Their 1970 self-titled debut was very lackbuster and nothing like the sound of Supertramp shown on later records. After a tour, the band came back in 1971 with "Indelibly Stamped." The record was even less received than their debut and featured Robert Miller on drums (Keith Baker joined Uriah Heep), and flute/saxophone player David Winthrop. After an unsuccessful tour, the band hit rock bottom so much so that by the fall of '72, Sam withdrew his financial support.
But all was not lost for Rick Davies who elected to give it another go in 1973. By then Rick and Roger had entered into a songwriting partnership simillar to Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles. Three other members were recruited in the band Bob Seibenberg became the new drummer (credited at first Bob C. Benberg for being in the UK illegally), Doogie Thompson became the new bassist, and saxophonist/keyboardist/woodwind player John Helliwell was added as well. He became the Master of Ceremonies in this period (as can be heard on their 1980 live Paris album he speaks perfect French by the way if you haven't listened to that, do listen to it).
It's always been said that third time is a charm, and lo and behold that's exactly what happened to Supertramp! Released in September 1974, "Crime of The Century" turned the band around and propelled them to success. The 1975 single "Dreamer" hit the top 20 in the UK, and "Bloody Well Right" hit the Top 40 in the US. During 1974-1975, Supertramp was at an artistic peak, and rift between Rick and Roger began to weaken.
The 1975 record "Crisis? What Crisis?!" was rush-recorded due to the hectic touring schedule. Although the band is not proud of it, Still, "Crisis" was critically acclaimed after it was released in November 1975. However, the 1977 album "Even in The Quietest Moments," yieleded the Top 40 US hit "Give a LIttle Bit," which was covered in 2004 by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Ultimately, the peak was hit in 1979 with "Breakfast in America." The record yieleded four singles (only the title track was not released in Canada). It was here that Rick Davies' and Roger Hodgson's differences came to a screeching halt. Roger went as far as play project lead and did lots of intense mixing. During the "Breakfast in America Tour," on November 29, 1979, the Paris Pavillion show was recorded for the 1980 live album "Paris."
The 1982 record "...Famous Last Words," would be the last with Roger Hodgson who had moved to northern California with his family. When the tour ended in 1983 Hodgson left to finish his first solo album, "in the Eye of the Storm," released in 1984.
Meanwhile Rick Davies continued with different members for the 1985 record "Brother Where You Bound?" The title track features none other than Pink Floyd's David Gilmour playing guitar. In return, John Helliwell appeared on the Pink Floyd record "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" two years after "Brother...".
By the time of the 1987 record, "Free as a Bird," it was decided Mark Hart of Crowded House fame would join Supertramp full-time. He would sing Roger Hodgson's songs as evident on the album "Live '88" released in 1989. After a ten-year hiatus, Supertramp came back with 1997's "Some Things Never Change," followed by a lengthy tour which resulted in the 1999 album "It Was The Best of Times," a live album contrary to popular belief.
The last studio album by Supertramp to date was 2002's Slow Motion. The band released several compilations through the years and reunited in 2010 for their 40th Anniversary. Rick Davies cannot see Roger Hodgson rejoining the band anytime soon.
It started back in 1969 when Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes (also known as "Sam") approached Rick Davies and decided to support Rick financially so that he could start his own band. After placing an ad in Melody Maker, Rick Davies recruited Roger Hodgson and the two were soon joined by Keith Baker (percussion) and Richard Palmer (guitars). Their 1970 self-titled debut was very lackbuster and nothing like the sound of Supertramp shown on later records. After a tour, the band came back in 1971 with "Indelibly Stamped." The record was even less received than their debut and featured Robert Miller on drums (Keith Baker joined Uriah Heep), and flute/saxophone player David Winthrop. After an unsuccessful tour, the band hit rock bottom so much so that by the fall of '72, Sam withdrew his financial support.
But all was not lost for Rick Davies who elected to give it another go in 1973. By then Rick and Roger had entered into a songwriting partnership simillar to Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles. Three other members were recruited in the band Bob Seibenberg became the new drummer (credited at first Bob C. Benberg for being in the UK illegally), Doogie Thompson became the new bassist, and saxophonist/keyboardist/woodwind player John Helliwell was added as well. He became the Master of Ceremonies in this period (as can be heard on their 1980 live Paris album he speaks perfect French by the way if you haven't listened to that, do listen to it).
It's always been said that third time is a charm, and lo and behold that's exactly what happened to Supertramp! Released in September 1974, "Crime of The Century" turned the band around and propelled them to success. The 1975 single "Dreamer" hit the top 20 in the UK, and "Bloody Well Right" hit the Top 40 in the US. During 1974-1975, Supertramp was at an artistic peak, and rift between Rick and Roger began to weaken.
The 1975 record "Crisis? What Crisis?!" was rush-recorded due to the hectic touring schedule. Although the band is not proud of it, Still, "Crisis" was critically acclaimed after it was released in November 1975. However, the 1977 album "Even in The Quietest Moments," yieleded the Top 40 US hit "Give a LIttle Bit," which was covered in 2004 by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Ultimately, the peak was hit in 1979 with "Breakfast in America." The record yieleded four singles (only the title track was not released in Canada). It was here that Rick Davies' and Roger Hodgson's differences came to a screeching halt. Roger went as far as play project lead and did lots of intense mixing. During the "Breakfast in America Tour," on November 29, 1979, the Paris Pavillion show was recorded for the 1980 live album "Paris."
The 1982 record "...Famous Last Words," would be the last with Roger Hodgson who had moved to northern California with his family. When the tour ended in 1983 Hodgson left to finish his first solo album, "in the Eye of the Storm," released in 1984.
Meanwhile Rick Davies continued with different members for the 1985 record "Brother Where You Bound?" The title track features none other than Pink Floyd's David Gilmour playing guitar. In return, John Helliwell appeared on the Pink Floyd record "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" two years after "Brother...".
By the time of the 1987 record, "Free as a Bird," it was decided Mark Hart of Crowded House fame would join Supertramp full-time. He would sing Roger Hodgson's songs as evident on the album "Live '88" released in 1989. After a ten-year hiatus, Supertramp came back with 1997's "Some Things Never Change," followed by a lengthy tour which resulted in the 1999 album "It Was The Best of Times," a live album contrary to popular belief.
The last studio album by Supertramp to date was 2002's Slow Motion. The band released several compilations through the years and reunited in 2010 for their 40th Anniversary. Rick Davies cannot see Roger Hodgson rejoining the band anytime soon.
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