1.4 1984–1988: Brother Where You Bound and Free as a Bird.1.2 1973–1978: Crime of the Century and commercial breakthrough.1.1 1969–1972: Formation, Supertramp and Indelibly Stamped.Their highest sales levels were in Canada, where they had two diamond-certified (ten-times platinum) albums ( Crime of the Century and Breakfast in America), and their only number 1 singles anywhere ("The Logical Song" and "Dreamer"). They attained significant popularity in North America, Europe, South Africa, and Australia.
Davies took over as the band's sole leader until 1988, after which they disbanded and periodically reformed in various configurations.Īs of 2007, Supertramp album sales exceeded 60 million. In 1983, Hodgson left the group to pursue a solo career. Their other top 40 hits included " Dreamer" (1974), " Give a Little Bit", (1977) and " It's Raining Again" (1982). They reached their commercial peak with 1979's Breakfast in America, which yielded the international top 10 singles " The Logical Song", " Breakfast in America", " Goodbye Stranger", and " Take the Long Way Home". The band were initially a prog-rock group, but starting with their third album, Crime of the Century (1974), they began moving towards a more pop-oriented sound.
Other longtime members included bassist Dougie Thomson, drummer Bob Siebenberg, and saxophonist John Helliwell. The group's line-up changed numerous times throughout their career, with Davies being the only consistent member throughout the decades. Marked by the individual songwriting of founders Roger Hodgson (vocals, keyboards, and guitars) and Rick Davies (vocals and keyboards), they are distinguished for blending progressive rock and pop styles as well as for a sound that relied heavily on Wurlitzer electric piano. Supertramp were an English rock band formed in London, England in mid 1969.