Rick Davies, the co-founder, pianist, and voice behind many of Supertramp’s greatest hits, has died at the age of 81.

The band confirmed his passing in a heartfelt statement shared on their website, revealing that Davies died Saturday at his home on Long Island after a long battle with cancer.

“As co-writer, along with partner Roger Hodgson, he was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history,” the tribute read.

The man behind the music

Born in Swindon, England, in 1944, Davies discovered his love of music as a child, inspired by jazz drummer Gene Krupa’s “Drummin’ Man.” That spark carried him into a lifelong passion for jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll and eventually to founding Supertramp in 1969 with guitarist Richard Palmer and drummer Robert Millar.

Davies became the steady hand that carried the band forward after Roger Hodgson departed in 1983. Known for his warm, soulful vocals and distinctive touch on the Wurlitzer electric piano, he gave life to classics like “Goodbye Stranger” and “Bloody Well Right.”

Supertramp’s breakthrough came with their 1974 album Crime of the Century, but it was their sixth release, Breakfast in America (1979), that turned them into international superstars. The record went quadruple platinum and earned the band two Grammy Awards.

A life beyond the stage

While Davies’ name will forever be linked to Supertramp, those close to him also remembered the man behind the music.

“His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the band’s sound,” the statement continued. “Beyond the stage, Rick was known for his warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue, with whom he shared over five decades.”

After health challenges prevented him from continuing to tour with Supertramp, he performed with his hometown friends as Ricky and the Rockets.

A legacy that lives on

For fans across generations, Davies’ songs remain timeless — equal parts nostalgic and evergreen.

“Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on,” Supertramp’s tribute concluded.

From the electric piano riffs that defined an era to the enduring lyrics that still resonate today, Rick Davies leaves behind a soundtrack that refuses to fade.