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After forming in 1969, English rock band Supertramp enjoyed a hugely successful career spanning more than 40 years. Fusing a unique blend of progressive rock and pop, they became famous for their deeply meaningful songs, with lyrics that everyone could relate to. The multi-million record-selling artists played traditional rock-style guitar, combined with electric piano and saxophone, creating a fresh sound that led to album sales of more than 60 million. The band was still going strong in 2015 when they planned a 25-date European tour. However, they had to cancel due to the ill health of founding member Rick Davies. Although he has reportedly recovered and is playing music again, after battling a form of cancer known as multiple myeloma, there doesn’t appear to be any imminent plans to bring Supertramp out of their enforced hiatus. Early years Born in Swindon in 1944, Davies loved music from the age of eight, when his parents gave him a second-hand record player and a few records. One was Drummin' Man by Gene Krupa, which he later said "hit like a thunderbolt". His mother, Betty, said music was the only thing he was interested in at school. He joined the British Railways Staff Association Brass and Silver Jubilee Band, playing snare drums, at 12. By 1959, when he was 15, he was into rock 'n' roll and played in a band called Vince and the Vigilantes. After completing his art studies at Swindon College, he took a job as a welder. He learned how to play piano and placed an advert in Melody Maker magazine in August 1969 for like-minded musicians to form a new band. Portsmouth-born guitarist Roger Hodgson replied. He came from a very different background than working-class Davies, having attended boarding school in Surrey. Hodgson's father gave him his first guitar at 12 and he learned to play at school. At 13, he gave his first concert, playing nine of his own songs. He was a talented songwriter and lyricist and played guitar in a band called People Like Us after leaving school.   Launch of Supertramp The two musicians hit it off from the start and began writing songs together almost immediately after the auditions. Initially, they called their new band Daddy, with Hodgson on bass and vocals, Davies on keyboards, Richard Palmer on guitar and vocals and Keith Baker on percussion. Davies and Hodgson collaborated on the song writing and Palmer wrote the lyrics. After rehearsing for months, they flew to Munich to play some live gigs. They changed their name to Supertramp, as there was an existing band called Daddy Longlegs. Their new name was inspired by the book, Autobiography of a Super-Tramp, by Welsh author William Henry Davies, who had lived as a hobo, after being described as a "delinquent" youth in the late 19th century. After basing his autobiography on his experiences, he became a well-respected author and poet. After being signed by A&M Records, Supertramp released their first album (called Supertramp) on 14th July 1970. This was the start of their long and highly-productive career, during which they released 28 singles and 21 albums. Their first international hit was the album, Crime of the Century, released on 13th September 1974. Their biggest hit album was Breakfast in America, released on 29th March 1979, as it topped the charts in eight countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada and Germany and reached number three in the UK. It achieved four-times platinum status and turned them into one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world.   Hit singles While epic albums were their forte, they also had their fair share of hit singles - most notably in 1982, when It's Raining Again made the charts all over the world. Its message of hope and fighting back against adversity seemed to resonate with fans. By this time, there had been a couple of personnel changes in Supertramp, although founder members Hodgson and Davies were still the band's backbone. The song was another collaboration between Davies and Hodgson and contained inspirational lyrics for anyone feeling down. It describes the break-up of a relationship, featuring the opening line, "It's raining again - oh no, my love's at an end." The rain equates to the gloomy emotions he's experiencing on losing a loved one as he asks, "Will my heart ever mend?" Rather than revelling in self-pity, however, the narrator rallies round and becomes more upbeat. As the song progresses, he says to himself, "Come on, you little fighter, and get back up again." Fans thought it was a good song for a rainy day to lift the spirits because sometimes, all you can do is get back on your feet and start again.   Emotive video The 1980s was an era of eye-catching videos and this was no exception. Within the emotive music video, all five band members appear at different stages. It starts with saxophonist John Helliwell portraying a street musician on his alto saxophone. Then, bass player Dougie Thomson appears as a bus driver. He was renowned for his beard and moustache and this was the last video where he sported his trademark look. Hodgson appears in the video as a guitar-playing bus passenger. Davies and drummer Bob Siebenberg appear as two rednecks in a pickup truck. This was one of a number of detailed and vivid videos produced by Supertramp, who went on to play many stadium gigs, earning a reputation as one of the best live bands.   Later career Supertramp continued to tour and release studio and live albums until 2015 when they planned their first major tour in four years. However, Davies required aggressive medical treatment to combat multiple myeloma and it was 2018 before he spoke to the press in any detail about his illness. He said he had overcome his health problems and enjoyed playing music again - something he had been unable to do since before he began medical treatment in 2016. Although Supertramp never officially disbanded, their last album to date was Live in Paris '79, released in 2012, while their latest single was Slow Motion in 2002.   It’s raining, it’s pouring! The words, "It's raining again," are very apt at present, as the Great British weather is unpredictable. After the heatwave, we’ve been used to thunderstorms more recently. Now, the Met Office has predicted a second heatwave, but interspersed with showers… make sure you're not caught out! MA Grigg’s range of branded waterproof clothing is available instore and online.