Rick Davies of Supertramp, has died at the age of 81. His death was announced in a statement from the band on Sunday, Sept. 7, one day after he passed.
Rick Davies Died of Blood Cancer
Per the statement, the keyboardist, singer, and songwriter who co-founded the progressive rock band was battling “multiple myeloma for over 10 years.” This type of cancer forms in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell.
Despite his diagnosis, Davis continued creating and performing. His bandmates described him as “the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs,” adding how he left an “indelible mark on rock music history.”
When he was unable to continue touring, Davies performed locally with friends as Ricky and the Rockets.
Beyond his work with Supertramp, Davies was “known for his warmth resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue, with whom he shared over five decades.”
Born in Swindon, England, Davies was in a band called The Joint before placing an add in the British music magazine Melody Maker looking for new band mates. The responses to that add lead him to guitarist and songwriter Roger Hodgson, 75, and would officially become Supertramp in 1969.
Members of Supertramp Today
- Roger Hodgson left Supertramp in 1983 and is still an active musician.
- Saxophonist John Helliwell, 80, still plays jazz music and occasionally joining Supertramp reunion shows.
- Bassist Dougie Thomson, 74, stepped away from the spotlight but works in management and production now.
- Drummer Bob Siebenberg, 75, who played with the group from Crime of the Century onward, is still performing and recording.
