Critics in the 70s were a little stingy about giving a bit of respect to Supertramp, the prog-leaning pop act whose high-voiced hits still make the rotation at classic rock stations. Fans, though, never questioned the brilliance of moody, fidgety songs like "Dreamer" and "Bloody Well Right."
The band were originally called Daddy and were formed in Britain when Rick Davies pulled together a band by advertising in Melody Maker. By 1970 the band now known as Supertramp had released their first eponymous album in the UK (it was released in 1975 in the US).
After a change of line-up, the new band recorded Indelibly Stamped in 1971. Though it achieved cult popularity, commercial success evaded them. Their millionaire sponsor Stanley August Miesegaes withdrew his support and everybody left the band except Davies and Roger Hodgson.
Another new line-up released Crime of the Century in 1974 and success finally began to bite down on them, with songs such as "Dreamer", "School" and "Bloody Well Right". Next was Crisis? What Crisis? an album that produced some concert staples such as "Ain't Nobody But Me" and "Two of Us".
Even in the Quietest Moments included "Give a Little Bit" and "Fool's Overture". The latter marked the band’s relocation to the US and featured a more poppy sound. Finally, in 1979, they released their most successful album to date, Breakfast in America. This album contained fan favourites “Goodbye Stranger”, “The Logical Song” and “Take the Long Way Home”, and has sold over 20 million copies so far.
Hodgson left the band in 1983 to spend time with his family and later undertake a solo career. He had been the major songwriter and singer in the band, solely composing and writing 29 of their 32 hits. After Hodgson's departure, the band continued to perform and went on to release Brother Where You Bound in 1985 and Free as a Bird in 1987. Although Supertramp was successful after Hodgson left, they did not reach the level of commercial success they had attained when he was with them.
