Supertramp - The Most Fascinating Facts Anywhere

1. Supertramp formed in London in 1969

The group grew from the partnership of keyboardist and singer Rick Davies and singer-guitarist Roger Hodgson. Their early line-up was funded by a Dutch millionaire who believed in their talent.

2. A wealthy Dutch fan bankrolled the early band

Stanley August Miesegaes, known as Sam, supported the group financially after hearing Davies's music. Without his help the band might never have got started.

3. The name comes from a book

Supertramp took its name from The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, the memoir by the Welsh poet W. H. Davies. The title suited their wandering early years.

4. The first two albums did not sell

Their self-titled debut in 1970 and Indelibly Stamped in 1971 barely troubled the charts. The band then broke up and reformed with a largely new line-up.

5. Crime of the Century was the breakthrough

Released in 1974, the album included Bloody Well Right, School, Dreamer and Rudy. Its tightly arranged progressive pop earned Supertramp their first major success in Britain.

6. Dreamer was written on a Wurlitzer

Hodgson wrote the song on a Wurlitzer electric piano, and the instrument's bright, bell-like sound became a hallmark of the band. Dreamer returned to the UK charts in later years.

7. Two songwriters shared the credits

Davies and Hodgson credited their songs jointly even though they usually wrote separately. Davies tended towards bluesy, sardonic songs, while Hodgson's were more yearning and melodic.

8. Hodgson's high voice defined many hits

He sang The Logical Song, Give a Little Bit, Take the Long Way Home and Dreamer, all with a distinctive, clear upper register. His voice contrasted with Davies's grittier tone.

9. Davies sang Bloody Well Right and Goodbye Stranger

These songs showed the band's more bluesy and rhythmic side. Goodbye Stranger became one of the most popular songs from Breakfast in America.

10. Breakfast in America was their biggest album

Released in 1979, it reached number one in the United States and produced The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger and Take the Long Way Home. It has reportedly sold many millions of copies worldwide.

11. The cover shows a waitress as the Statue of Liberty

The artwork by Mike Doud shows a flight attendant holding up a glass of orange juice against a skyline made of kitchen items. It won a Grammy Award for album packaging.

12. Dave Gilmour played on a Supertramp record

The Pink Floyd guitarist contributed a solo to Brother Where You Bound, the 1985 album's long title track. It was a surprising and memorable collaboration.

13. The sax and clarinet were part of the sound

John Helliwell's woodwinds gave Supertramp a distinctive texture on songs such as The Logical Song and Rudy. They helped separate the band from other rock groups.

14. Paris captured the live band

The 1980 double live album documented the Breakfast in America tour. Its recordings showed how tightly the group could reproduce their studio arrangements on stage.

15. It's Raining Again was a hit from Famous Last Words

The 1982 single reached the top ten in several countries. The album would be the last with Hodgson before his departure.

16. Roger Hodgson left in 1983

He went on to a solo career, releasing In the Eye of the Storm in 1984. Davies continued to lead the band without him.

17. Supertramp continued without Hodgson

Brother Where You Bound and later albums such as Free as a Bird, Some Things Never Change and Slow Motion kept the band active. Davies steered the group in a more blues-influenced direction.

18. Hodgson still performs the classic songs

He has toured as a solo artist, playing Supertramp favourites on piano and guitar. His shows often include Breakfast in America material.

19. Supertramp's songs have been covered and sampled

Scooter had a European hit in 2002 with a dance version of The Logical Song. Other acts have drawn on the group's catalogue as well.

20. Supertramp has a lasting fan base

The band sold especially well in Europe, North America and Canada, and the albums remain popular with collectors. Original vinyl copies of Crime of the Century and Breakfast in America are frequently sought.

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