Supertramp – Fool’s Overture (Live 1979)
Supertramp history
Supertramp followed an unusual path to commercial success in the 1970s, fusing the stylistic ambition and instrumental dexterity of progressive rock with the wit and tuneful melodies of British pop, and the results made them one of the most popular British acts of the ’70s and ‘80s, topping the charts and filling arenas around the world at a time when their style of music was supposed to have fallen out of fashion.
Supertramp was formed in 1969 by pianist and vocalist Rick Davies. Davies had been a member of a group called the Joint, who had found a financial backer in Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes; Miesegaes had grown disenchanted with the Joint, but saw promise in Davies, and he offered to bankroll a new band if Davies wanted to launch a fresh project.
Davies placed an ad in the British music weekly Melody Maker, and recruited guitarist Richard Palmer, percussionist Robert Millar, and vocalist/bassist Roger Hodgson. Davies initially dubbed the new band Daddy, but to avoid comparison with a number of other paternally named acts, he changed their billing to Supertramp, taking the name from a book by Welsh author William Henry Davies.
In 1970, Supertramp signed a deal with A&M Records, and their debut album was released later the same year. Dominated by extended prog-based compositions, the album didn’t win a large audience, and Supertramp‘s lineup shifted, as Richard Palmer and Robert Millar left the group, Hodgson moved from bass to guitar, and bassist Frank Farrell, percussionist Kevin Currie, and Dave Winthrop on flue and sax joined the act. The new edition of Supertramp released the album Indelibly Stamped in 1971, but it fared little better in the marketplace than the debut, and Miesegaes cut off his funding of the group.
Left to their own devices, Supertramp came close to collapse as most of the group’s members moved on, but Davies and Hodgson put together a new version of the group — Davies on piano and vocals, Hodgson on guitar, electric piano, and vocals, Dougie Thomson on bass, Bob C. Benberg on drums and percussion, and John Anthony Helliwell on sax, woodwinds, and keyboards.
This edition of Supertramp boasted a more concise and pop-oriented sound than the band that recorded the first two albums, and 1974’s Crime of the Century became Supertramp‘s commercial breakthrough, spawning the singles “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right.” 1975’s Crisis? What Crisis? didn’t fare quite as well commercially, but 1977’s Even in the Quietest Moments earned the band another hit single in “Give a Little Bit,” and Supertramp‘s steady road work earned them a reputation as an impressive live act.
1979’s Breakfast in America elevated Supertramp to true superstar status; three of its songs (“Goodbye Stranger,” “Take the Long Way Home,” and “The Logical Song”) would became Top 20 hits, and the album went to number one on the Billboard charts, selling four million copies in the United States and reaching platinum status in Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Supertramp followed the success of Breakfast in America with a live album, 1980’s Paris, but it wasn’t until 1982 that the group released a new studio LP, Famous Last Words, and in a sense the title was prophetic — the working relationship between Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson had become contentious, and in 1983, Hodgson, the lead vocalist on the band’s biggest hits, left to pursue a solo career.
With Davies taking the lead, Supertramp released Brother Where You Bound in 1985, which found the band easing back on their pop side and exploring their progressive influences; the album also featured guest appearances from Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour. 1987’s Free as a Bird found Supertramp experimenting with synthesizers and electronic dance music, but after a world tour in support of the album, Davies quietly retired the band.
In 1996, Davies re-assembled Supertramp for a concert tour; the new lineup featured Davies, John Anthony Helliwell, guitarist Mark Hart (who had toured with the band in support of Free as a Bird), and percussionist Jesse Siebenberg. The new Supertramp went into the studio after the tour, and Some Things Never Change was released in 1997. More touring followed, which was documented on the album Live 1997. Another studio set, Slow Motion, appeared in 2002.
In 2010, Supertramp regrouped for a world tour to celebrate their fortieth anniversary, but while rumors suggested Hodgson might rejoin the band for the occasion, both he and Davies issued statements saying they were not likely to ever work together again, and Hodgson mounted a solo tour concurrently with Supertramp‘s anniversary celebration.
Download Supertramp’s sheet music books from our Library.
Browse in the Library:
Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
---|---|---|
Alan Silvestri Contact Main Thitle Piano Solo | ||
Alan Silvestri The Avengers | Alan Silvestri The Avengers | |
Alan Walker – Faded | ||
Alan-Menken – Enchanted (Disney) | Enchanted Piano Vocal Guitar | |
Alanis Morisette – Hand In My Pocket | ||
Alanis Morisette – Hands Clean | ||
Alanis Morisette – Ironic | ||
Alanis Morisette – Thank You | ||
Alanis Morisette – That I Would Be Good | ||
Alanis Morisette – Uninvited | ||
Alanis Morisette – You Oughta Know | ||
Alanis Morrissete You Oughta Know Sheet Music | ||
Alban Berg – Schliesse Mir Die Augen Beide (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Alban Berg – Schliesse mir die Augen beide (Piano and voice Noten) | ||
Albeniz Isaac – Tango In D – Para Piano | Albeniz, Isaac – Tango In D – Para Piano | |
Albeniz For Acoustic Guitar with Audio MP3 by Laurindo Almeida | Albeniz for acoustic guitar with audio MP3 | |
Albeniz Suite Española V (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Albéniz, Isaac – Capricho Catalán (Op. 165 no. 5) (Guitarra – Guitar) | ||
Albéniz, Isaac – Capricho Catalán (Op. 165 no. 5) (Piano) | ||
Albert Ammons 5 Boogie Woogie Piano Solos Sheet Music | Albert Ammons 5 Boogie Woogie Piano Solos Sheet Music | |
Albert Ammons – Boogie Woogie Stomp | ||
Albert Ammons – Monday Struggle | Albert Ammons – Monday Struggle | |
Albert Ammons – Shout For Joy | Albert Ammons – Shout For Joy | |
Albert Ammons – Swanee River Boogie Woogie | ||
Albert Harris Sonatina Guitar Solo | ||
Albert Harris Variations And Fugue On A Theme Of Haendel (Guitar) | ||
Albert King The Very Best Of Albert King (Guitar TABs) | Albert King The Very Best Of Albert King | |
Albert Lee – The Best Of Albert Lee Guitar Tabs | Albert Lee – The Best Of Albert Lee Guitar Tabs | |
Albinoni – Adagio (Piano Solo Version) | ||
ALBINONI-Adagio | ||
Album of Russian piano music | Russian music 1 | Russian music 2 |
Album Of Scandinavian Piano Music By Louis Oesterle Vol. 1 (25 Pieces) 1902 | Album Of Scandinavian Piano Music By Louis Oesterle Vol. 1 (25 Pieces) 1902 | |
Alegre Magín – Americana (Guitarra) Habanera (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Alegria Cirque Du Soleil Piano Vocal Guitar Chords Sheet Music | ||
Alejandro Sanz – Amiga Mia | ||
Alejandro Sanz – La Margarita Dijo No | ||
Alejandro Sanz – Y Si Fuera Ella | ||
Aleksander Vertinskiy songbook | Aleksander Vertinskiy songbook | |
Alex North – Spartacus Love Theme (piano sheet music) | Alex North Spartacus Love Theme | |
Alex North Spartacus Love Theme (Lead sheet) | Alex Norrth SpArtacus | |
Alexander Scriabin 24 Preludes Op. 11 1 To 12 Musescore File.mscz | ||
Alexandra Streliski Burnout Fugue | ||
Alexandra Streliski Le Noveau Dèpart | ||
Alexandra Streliski Par La Fenêtre De Théo | ||
Alexandra Streliski Plus Tôt | ||
Alexandra Strevisky Pianoscope | Alexandra Strevisky Pianoscope | |
Alexandre Desplat Elisas Theme Piano from The shape of water | ||
Alexandre Desplat The Shape Of Water Main Theme | ||
Alexandre Desplat – Lust Caution | Alexandre Desplat – Lust Caution | |
Alexandre Desplat – The Imitation Game | ||
Alexandre Desplat – The Meadow New Moon Piano solo Sheet Music | ||
Alexandre Desplat Almost A Kiss (From The Film New Moon) | ||
Alexandre Desplat and Lang Lang Kitty,s Theme from The Painted Veil | Alexandre Desplat and Lang Lang Kitty,s Theme from The Painted Veil | |
Alexandre Desplat Brunos Theme From Suite Fran?aise | ||
Alexandre Desplat Full Moon (From The Film New Moon) | ||
Alexandre Desplat My Week With Marilyn – Marilyn’s Theme | ||
Alexandre Desplat Ost Godzilla Main Theme | ||
Alexandre Desplat The Danish Girl Theme Piano Solo | ||
Alexandre Desplat The Imitation Game | ||
Alexandre Desplat The King Speech | Alexandre Desplat The King Speech | |
Alexandre Desplat The Power Plant from Godzilla | ||
Alexandre Desplat The Wonder Of Life | ||
Alexandrov Piano Works Vol I | ||
Alexandrov Works for Piano Vol II | ||
Alexandrov Works for Piano Vol III Sonatas | ||
Alexandrov, Anatoly 6 Preludes For Piano Op. 1 (1961) | ||
Alexis Ffrench – Bluebird | ||
Alfred Basic Adult Christmas Book Level 1 | ||
Alfred Basic Repertoire Level 4 | ||
Alfred Brendel A Pianists A-Z A Piano Lovers Reader Book | Andrew Hill 21 Piano Compositions | |
Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Level 1 | Lessons Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Level 1 | |
Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Level 2 | Lessons Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Level 2 | |
Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Level 3 | Lessons Alfred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Level 3 | |
Alfred’s Basic Piano Level 2B | ||
Alfred’s Basic Piano Level 4 Jazz Rock Course | ||
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Essentials Of Jazz Theory Book 2 | Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Essentials Of Jazz Theory Book 2 | |
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library – Solo Book Complete Levels 2 & 3 for the later beginner | Alfred’s Basic Piano Library – Solo Book Complete Levels 2 & 3 for the later beginner | |
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library – Top Hits! Solo Book – Level 4 | ||
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Essentials Of Jazz Theory Book 1 | Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Essentials Of Jazz Theory Book 1 | |
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Essentials Of Jazz Theory Book 3 | Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Essentials Of Jazz Theory Book 3 | |
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library Lesson Book Level 3 | ||
Alfred’s Teach Yourself To Play Guitar Everything You Need To Know To Start Playing The Guitar! (with Tablature) | ||
Alfred’s Essentials Of Music Theory, Complete (Andrew Surmani, Karen Farnum Surmani Etc.) Sheet Music | ||
Ali and Nino (Dario Marianelli) | ||
Alice Coltrane Monument Eternal (book) The Music of – by Franya J. Berkman | ||
Alice In Chains Dirt Full album Guitar TAB with lyrics | Alice In Chains Dirt Full album Guitar TAB with lyrics | |
Alicia Keys – A Woman’s Worth | Alicia Keys – A Woman’s Worth | |
Alicia Keys – A Womans Worth | ||
Alicia Keys – And I | ||
Alicia Keys – As I Am (Songbook) | ALICIA KEYS SONGBOOK | |
Alicia Keys – Butterflyz | ||
Alicia Keys – Diary | ||
Alicia Keys – Fallin | ||
Alicia Keys – Fallin’ (Sheet Music – Piano) | Alicia Keys – Fallin’ (Sheet Music – Piano) | |
Alicia Keys – Goodbye | ||
Alicia Keys – How Come You Dont Call Me | ||
Alicia Keys – If I Aint Got You | ||
Alicia Keys – Impossible | ||
Alicia Keys – Never Felt This Way | ||
Alicia Keys Diary Song Book | ALICIA KEYS DIARY SONGBOOK | |
Alicia Keys The Element Of Freedom Songbook | ALICIA KEYS | |
Alicia Keys Unplugged | ALICIA KEYS UNPLUGGED | |
Alkan, Charles Valentin Concerto For Solo Piano 1st Movement Opus 39 No. 8 In G Minor (Piano Solo Reduction) | ||
All 4 One – I Can Love You Like That | ||
All 4 One – I Swear | ||
All American Folk Complete Sheet Music Editions Volume One (Creative Concepts Publishing Corp.) | All American Folk Complete Sheet Music Editions Volume One (Creative Concepts Publishing Corp.) ( | |
All Blues For Jazz Guitar Comping Styles Chords And Grooves by Jim Ferguson Guitar Tablature | All Blues For Jazz Guitar Comping Styles Chords And Grooves by Jim Ferguson Guitar Tablature | |
All Blues Soloing For Jazz Guitar – Jim Gerguson Play Along (Book + audio MP3) with Tablature | All Blues Soloing jazz guitar | |
All By Myself – Celine Dion (Musescore File).mscz | ||
All I Want For Christmas Is You (Musescore File).mscz | ||
All Of Me – Jazz Standard Stride Piano arr. Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons | All of me (Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons) Jazz Piano Solo arr. sheet music | |
All Of Me – Jazz Standard Stride Piano Arr. Gerald Marks And Seymour Simons (Musescore File).mscz | ||
All Of Me Fingerstyle Guitar TABs By Lucas Brar Jazz Standard (Gerald Marks and Seymour Simons) | All Of Me Fingerstyle Guitar TABs By Lucas Brar Jazz Standard | |
All Of Me Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons 1931 Jazz Standard (Vintage sheet music) | All Of Me Gerald Marks & Seymour Simons 1931 Jazz Standard (Vintage sheet music) | |
All Of The Jazz Standard Vol. 1 | All Of The Jazz Standard Vol. 1 | |
All Of The Jazz Standard Vol. 2 | All Of The Jazz Standard Vol. 2 | |
All Saints – Never Ever | ||
All Sondheim Vol I Music and lyrics | All Sondheim Vol I Music and lyrics | |
All Sondheim Vol II Music and lyrics | All Sondheim Vol II Music and lyrics | |
All Sondheim Vol III Music and lyrics | All Sondheim Vol III Music and lyrics |