Rick Davies, co-founder of Supertramp, helped define one of rock’s most unique sounds with his piano, voice, and songwriting. Known for classics like “The Logical Song,” “Goodbye Stranger,” and “Take the Long Way Home,” his music continues to inspire generations.

Davies passed away on September 5 at age 81 at his Long Island home after a decade-long battle with multiple myeloma. Despite his illness, “he remained resilient and connected to music until the end.”

Born in Swindon, England, Davies showed musical talent early on. In 1969, he co-founded Supertramp with Roger Hodgson. Their mix of working-class and privileged backgrounds gave the band its distinctive blend of pop and progressive rock.

Supertramp’s 1979 album Breakfast in America became a global success, reaching number one on Billboard and earning Grammy nominations. Creative differences later split the duo, with Hodgson leaving in 1983 while Davies continued leading the band into the 1990s.

After canceling a 2015 tour due to cancer, Davies found renewed joy in playing with a local group, Ricky and the Rockets. Remembered for his soulful voice and Wurlitzer sound, Rick Davies leaves behind “a soundtrack to countless lives” and a legacy that endures.