does anybody like the band supertramp? i just started to listen to them and i think they are a pretty great band. :o
Oh yeah, I love Supertramp. Didn't expect to see their name on the boards, lol!
Oh yes I find them okay but this seems suited more to the music forum
I knew it was going to be about the band. Should be moved to the Music Forum, though. I love their 'The Logical' song.
System
79987 Posts
15 years, 4 months ago
Moved.
Ah, yes. Most people knew the band when it consisted of singer/keyboardist Rick Davies, guitarist/keyboardist/singer Roger Hodgson, woodwinds player John Helliwell, bassist Dougie Thomson and drummer Bob Siebenberg.
This lineup lasted from 1973 to 1983 and spanned the albums Crime of the Century (1974), Crisis? What Crisis? (1975), Even in the Quietest Moments (1977), Breakfast in America (1979, everybody out there must have this LP by now) and Famous Last Words (1982), plus one live album, Paris (1980).
However, the band originally formed in London in 1969 from the remains of Daddy, with a Dutch-born manager, Stanley A. Miesegaes (nicknamed "Sam" by the group) managing the group's finances to 1972. The group's original lineup consisted of Davies and Hodgson plus Richard Palmer on additional vocals, guitars and other instruments and Bob Millar on drums. The name Supertramp was taken from W.H. Davies's 1908 novel, The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp. The band's 1970 self-titled debut wasn't released in the U.S. for seven years; but it showcased the early talents of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Roger Hodgson, who also played bass, cello and flageolet on the LP.
The group's 1971 release, Indelibly Stamped, was infamous for its suggestive front cover art (think also the cover art for Blind Faith's album), but showcased Rick Davies singing lead for the first time. It was also the band's first album to be released in the U.S. Hodgson also began to play more guitar and keyboards starting with this album, which featured Frank Farrell on bass, Kevin Currie on drums and Dave Winthrop on woodwinds.
Although Indelibly Stamped had slightly more success than the group's first LP, it still didn't attract a large following, and everyone except the two songwriters (Davies and Hodgson) quit the group. Davies and Hodgson sought out replacements during 1972 and '73, adding Scotsman Dougie Thomson on bass (he also took over for Sam as the group's business manager), American drummer Bob Siebenberg (his surname was altered to "C. Benberg" to avoid immigration complications in the U.K.) and woodwinds player John Helliwell, who would also play keyboards alongside Davies and Hodgson live in concert during the group's peak period. The first single recorded by this version of the group we all know was "Land Ho" (Hodgson) backed with "Summer Romance" (Davies), released in the U.K. in the spring of 1974.
Crime of the Century, released in the fall of 1974, was the band's breakthrough album, being a strong seller with the songs "Bloody Well Right" (their first US Top 40 single, reaching #35 in May 1975) and "Dreamer" (other notable songs included the opening track "School," "Rudy," and the closing title track, all live staples). Although it wasn't as successful, 1975's Crisis? What Crisis? was not only the group's first LP to be recorded in the U.S. but was the last to be recorded in their native U.K., and featured the songs "Lady," "Sister Moonshine" and "Ain't Nobody But Me."
"Give a Little Bit," from Even in the Quietest Moments (the group's first recording after moving their base of operations to the U.S.), was the group's first U.S. Top 20 single, reaching #15 in August 1977 (the album itself was also a Top 20 hit, going to #16 on the Billboard 200). The epic closing song "Fool's Overture" was also a notable radio and live favorite. As a result of the successes of their 1974-77 period, their record company, A&M, had released the band's 1970 self-titled debut in the U.S. for the first time, but it only peaked at #158 on the Billboard 200.
But it was the group's sixth studio release, Breakfast in America, that saw their commercial zenith, reaching #1 on the USA Billboard charts during the late spring of 1979; and contained the singles "The Logical Song" (#6), "Goodbye Stranger" (#15) and "Take the Long Way Home" (#10).
The group released a double-live album, Paris, in the fall of 1980. The album contained songs recorded live at the Paris Pavillon, the venue taking place on November 29, 1979. This album contained the charting versions of the songs "Dreamer" (US #15) and "Breakfast in America" (US #62).
Roger Hodgson's final album with Supertramp was 1982's Famous Last Words, which contained the singles "It's Raining Again" (#11) and "My Kind of Lady" (#26), closing out with the rather poignant ballad "Don't Leave Me Now."
The band continued to release albums without Hodgson, including 1985's Brother Where You Bound ("Cannonball," "Better Days" and the epic title track) and 1987's Free as a Bird (title track and "I'm Beggin' You"), but their 1973-83 period will remain cemented as their very best.
Roger Hodgson's most successful solo album was his 1984 debut In the Eye of the Storm, which contained the singles "Had a Dream (Sleeping with the Enemy)" and "In Jeopardy."
His seco
This lineup lasted from 1973 to 1983 and spanned the albums Crime of the Century (1974), Crisis? What Crisis? (1975), Even in the Quietest Moments (1977), Breakfast in America (1979, everybody out there must have this LP by now) and Famous Last Words (1982), plus one live album, Paris (1980).
However, the band originally formed in London in 1969 from the remains of Daddy, with a Dutch-born manager, Stanley A. Miesegaes (nicknamed "Sam" by the group) managing the group's finances to 1972. The group's original lineup consisted of Davies and Hodgson plus Richard Palmer on additional vocals, guitars and other instruments and Bob Millar on drums. The name Supertramp was taken from W.H. Davies's 1908 novel, The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp. The band's 1970 self-titled debut wasn't released in the U.S. for seven years; but it showcased the early talents of singer/guitarist/keyboardist Roger Hodgson, who also played bass, cello and flageolet on the LP.
The group's 1971 release, Indelibly Stamped, was infamous for its suggestive front cover art (think also the cover art for Blind Faith's album), but showcased Rick Davies singing lead for the first time. It was also the band's first album to be released in the U.S. Hodgson also began to play more guitar and keyboards starting with this album, which featured Frank Farrell on bass, Kevin Currie on drums and Dave Winthrop on woodwinds.
Although Indelibly Stamped had slightly more success than the group's first LP, it still didn't attract a large following, and everyone except the two songwriters (Davies and Hodgson) quit the group. Davies and Hodgson sought out replacements during 1972 and '73, adding Scotsman Dougie Thomson on bass (he also took over for Sam as the group's business manager), American drummer Bob Siebenberg (his surname was altered to "C. Benberg" to avoid immigration complications in the U.K.) and woodwinds player John Helliwell, who would also play keyboards alongside Davies and Hodgson live in concert during the group's peak period. The first single recorded by this version of the group we all know was "Land Ho" (Hodgson) backed with "Summer Romance" (Davies), released in the U.K. in the spring of 1974.
Crime of the Century, released in the fall of 1974, was the band's breakthrough album, being a strong seller with the songs "Bloody Well Right" (their first US Top 40 single, reaching #35 in May 1975) and "Dreamer" (other notable songs included the opening track "School," "Rudy," and the closing title track, all live staples). Although it wasn't as successful, 1975's Crisis? What Crisis? was not only the group's first LP to be recorded in the U.S. but was the last to be recorded in their native U.K., and featured the songs "Lady," "Sister Moonshine" and "Ain't Nobody But Me."
"Give a Little Bit," from Even in the Quietest Moments (the group's first recording after moving their base of operations to the U.S.), was the group's first U.S. Top 20 single, reaching #15 in August 1977 (the album itself was also a Top 20 hit, going to #16 on the Billboard 200). The epic closing song "Fool's Overture" was also a notable radio and live favorite. As a result of the successes of their 1974-77 period, their record company, A&M, had released the band's 1970 self-titled debut in the U.S. for the first time, but it only peaked at #158 on the Billboard 200.
But it was the group's sixth studio release, Breakfast in America, that saw their commercial zenith, reaching #1 on the USA Billboard charts during the late spring of 1979; and contained the singles "The Logical Song" (#6), "Goodbye Stranger" (#15) and "Take the Long Way Home" (#10).
The group released a double-live album, Paris, in the fall of 1980. The album contained songs recorded live at the Paris Pavillon, the venue taking place on November 29, 1979. This album contained the charting versions of the songs "Dreamer" (US #15) and "Breakfast in America" (US #62).
Roger Hodgson's final album with Supertramp was 1982's Famous Last Words, which contained the singles "It's Raining Again" (#11) and "My Kind of Lady" (#26), closing out with the rather poignant ballad "Don't Leave Me Now."
The band continued to release albums without Hodgson, including 1985's Brother Where You Bound ("Cannonball," "Better Days" and the epic title track) and 1987's Free as a Bird (title track and "I'm Beggin' You"), but their 1973-83 period will remain cemented as their very best.
Roger Hodgson's most successful solo album was his 1984 debut In the Eye of the Storm, which contained the singles "Had a Dream (Sleeping with the Enemy)" and "In Jeopardy."
His seco
That is one excellent post RetroBen81, maybe you or one of the other members can answer a question for me.
While I loved "It's Raining Again", no one else I knew could stand it. To me it sounded like the theme to a movie. Can anyone confirm if it's true that "It's Raining Again" was the song that really killed Supertramp?
While I loved "It's Raining Again", no one else I knew could stand it. To me it sounded like the theme to a movie. Can anyone confirm if it's true that "It's Raining Again" was the song that really killed Supertramp?
eddstarr88
That is one excellent post RetroBen81, maybe you or one of the other members can answer a question for me.
While I loved "It's Raining Again", no one else I knew could stand it. To me it sounded like the theme to a movie. Can anyone confirm if it's true that "It's Raining Again" was the song that really killed Supertramp?
Well, it was their last to reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, going to #11 in November 1982. As I pointed out before, Famous Last Words was the last album with Roger Hodgson, as he had an apparent falling out with Rick Davies and his wife. Rick wouldn't let his wifey go, so, Roger left in 1983. Roger also quit the group to spend more time with his family.
~Ben
RetroBen81
eddstarr88That is one excellent post RetroBen81, maybe you or one of the other members can answer a question for me.
While I loved "It's Raining Again", no one else I knew could stand it. To me it sounded like the theme to a movie. Can anyone confirm if it's true that "It's Raining Again" was the song that really killed Supertramp?
Well, it was their last to reach the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, going to #11 in November 1982. As I pointed out before, Famous Last Words was the last album with Roger Hodgson, as he had an apparent falling out with Rick Davies and his wife. Rick wouldn't let his wifey go, so, Roger left in 1983. Roger also quit the group to spend more time with his family.
~Ben
That's a relief. I've been misinformed. Supertramp suffered from the Hodgson/Davies split, not from the reaction to "It's Raining Again". To some of my friends that wonderful song was the blame for Supertramps undoing. Now I can argue back to them. I knew there had to be more to it.
Supertramp had another hit without Roger Hodgson with "Cannonball" around 1985. They've done many albums since, some of which have sold well...but not nearly as much as in their popular days (which I remember pretty well).
Roger Hodgson has four solo albums, all of which are excellent and I recommend...*if* you can find them. In order, they are:
* In The Eye of the Storm
* Hai-Hai
* Rites of Passage
* Open the Door
These albums sound like a continuation of Supertramp, and in particular, "In The Eye of the Storm" is brilliant...especially when you consider that Roger Hodgson plays all the instruments and does all the vocals (with the exception of a few drum tracks).
Roger Hodgson - "Had a Dream (Sleeping with the Enemy)":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XwfXVUL7mg
(This video is lame, but the song is good).
Roger Hodgson - "Lovers in the Wind"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNcY1mcRlKk&feature=related
(Another awesome song from an awesome album).
Roger Hodgson has four solo albums, all of which are excellent and I recommend...*if* you can find them. In order, they are:
* In The Eye of the Storm
* Hai-Hai
* Rites of Passage
* Open the Door
These albums sound like a continuation of Supertramp, and in particular, "In The Eye of the Storm" is brilliant...especially when you consider that Roger Hodgson plays all the instruments and does all the vocals (with the exception of a few drum tracks).
Roger Hodgson - "Had a Dream (Sleeping with the Enemy)":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XwfXVUL7mg
(This video is lame, but the song is good).
Roger Hodgson - "Lovers in the Wind"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNcY1mcRlKk&feature=related
(Another awesome song from an awesome album).