Supertramp co-founder Rick Davies dead at 81

Rick Davies co-founder of the British rock group Supertramp died Saturday at his home in Long Island He was Supertramp endorsed on the band's website that Davies died of cancer after battling multiple myeloma for years The singer and songwriter was known for keeping the group together after Roger Hodgson pursued other endeavors following a band dispute in JERRY ADLER THE SOPRANOS AND THE GOOD WIFE ACTOR DEAD AT Born in Swindon England in Rick s love of music began in his childhood listening to Gene Krupa s Drummin Man which grew into a lifelong passion for jazz blues and rock n roll the band wrote in a tribute posted online As co-writer along with partner Roger Hodgson he was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp s bulk iconic songs leaving an indelible mark on rock music history CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTERDavies wrote and sang Goodbye Stranger and Bloody Well Right in addition to a number of hits for the band His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands sound the band 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 facing serious physical condition challenges which kept him unable to continue touring as Supertramp he enjoyed performing with his hometown buds as Ricky and the Rockets Supertramp added Rick s music and legacy continue to inspire multiple and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die they live on