Let's face it, Supertramp is a band that, too often, just gets lost in the mix. When talking about those late 70s early 80s prop/pop style bands, you're coming up against heavy hitters like Toto, Genesis, Rush, and Pink Floyd, just to name a few. Supertramp had hits, but those bands had HITS. Supertramp were great musicians, but those bands had GREAT MUSICIANS. Supertramp wrote great songs, but, well, you know, I'll stop there. Truth told, I would put the songs and songwriting of Supertramp right up there with the best of them. No question.
And you know what Supertramp had than most other pop/prog bands around that time didn't have? A sense of humor. Supertramp songs often carry a lightness, a breezy comicality that none of those other bands had.
Tell me the last time you think Roger Waters cracked a smile. Exactly.
Formed in 1969 by Swindon-born keyboardist Rick Davies, the original band included Roger Hodgson (bass and vocals), Richard Palmer (guitars and vocals) and Keith Baker (percussion). and they were initially funded by Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes. Supertramp went through many line up changes and released several albums before their commercial peak arrived with the release of "Breakfast in America" in 1979. This classic album included several hit singles ("The Logical Song", "Take the Long Way Home" and "Goodbye Stranger", among others), featured what would become an iconic album cover, and eventually won two Grammy Awards.
The band continued to release albums and tour, but after Roger Hodgson left in 1983, they never quite recaptured the same level of success.
Do yourself a favor and just browse through their discography. You'll see legendary song after legendary song. The next time you want to reach for Duke by Genesis, instead grab a copy of Breakfast in America. The next time you want to reach for Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here, instead grab a copy of Crime Of The Century. Before you put on Toto IV (again), reach for Supertramp's 1977 album Even in the Quietest Moments...
Together, we can work towards building a world where Supertramp isn't just regulated to the mid-level of the Classic Rock spectrum, but where their artistry, musicianship, songwriting and sense of humor can be appreciated as being as good as anything else that was pumping out of the radio back in the day.
Bloody well right.
