But by the mid-2010s, Davies’ health issues appeared to mark the stopping point for Supertramp’s legacy of elegant, irresistible art pop. The band reunited (without Hodgson) a few times over the next couple of decades, releasing new albums in 19 that showed Davies and company’s undiminished gifts. After 1982’s Famous Last Words, Hodgson left for a solo career, never to return, while Davies led the band onward until 1988. But 1979’s Breakfast In America made Supertramp international superstars, as three smash hits-the bittersweet “Take the Long Way Home,” the hooky, haunting “The Logical Song,” and the stomp-along title track-turned the record into an era-defining pop blockbuster. That transition continued over their next couple of albums, with the acoustic anthem “Give a Little Bit” scoring big in 1977 on both sides of the Atlantic. While retaining some arty elements, the band shifted toward a poppier approach on their 1974 breakthrough album, Crime of the Century, scoring hits with “Dreamer” and “Bloody Well Right” and reaching No. The later Live In Paris 79 releases contain recordings from the 3rd night on 1st December 1979 captured in their own master release Supertramp - Live In Paris 79.
SUPERTRAMP SCHOOL LIVE 1979 SERIES
Aint Nobody But Me (Live At Pavillon de Paris/1979) Supertramp. The original Paris album contains recordings mainly performed on the first night of a four show series between 29th November and 2nd December 1979. Packed into the spanning O2 Arena, the audience is a combination of those original fans who are well into their 70s along with those who simply enjoy the bands legacy and style. Things changed drastically when Davies and Hodgson cleaned house once more, this time locking in the classic lineup with saxophonist John Anthony Helliwell, drummer Bob Siebenberg, and bassist Dougie Thomson. School (Live At Pavillon de Paris/1979) Supertramp. Supertramp, the iconic London rock group who achieved great success in the 70s and 80s are still touring to their legions of devoted fans globally. Davies and Hodgson convened a new lineup for 1971’s Indelibly Stamped but struggled commercially. Following the album’s release Supertramp embarked on a 10 month world tour which arrived in Paris at the end of November. Palmer soon left, eventually becoming a lyricist for King Crimson. Supertramp’s Breakfast In America was the biggest selling album in the world in 1979. Formed in London in 1970 by singer/songwriters Richard Davies and Roger Hodgson, guitarist/songwriter Richard Palmer, and drummer Robert Millar, the band released their proggy, self-titled debut that same year to little notice.
Supertramp began as an ambitious art-rock project but evolved into a pop powerhouse by the end of the ’70s.