A criminally underrated band. Breakfast in America is one of the best albums of all-time. 10 U.S. top 40 hits for a band that has prog elements is impressive.

Posted by Classic Rock on Saturday, 01/5/2013 @ 21:09pm

Fact number 1:
The VAST majority of underground music is absolute crap and it has always been like that and it is ONE of the reasons it remains underground. The problem is that the mainstream today is crappier than ever, so people are running low of alternatives.

Fact number 2:
The VAST majority of people who listen to underground music (better said, who ONLY listen to underground music) are hipsters, who do it to be seen as "cool", "different", "rebels" or simply to attract attention or to try and prove a point (all for the wrong reasons) In fact, everybody else sees them as freaks and makes fun of them.
It does not make you smarter than everybody else to be a hipster, it's just ridiculous.

Just trying to clarify some things for the impressionable teens here.

Posted by Unercrap on Sunday, 05/12/2013 @ 13:38pm

Fact number 3:
SUPERTRAMP are an amazing band and very underrated, in my opinion. But I would not call them underground (not when you sold over 60 million albums worldwide). But I also wouldn't call them mainstream. They have elements of both, depending on the different stages in their careers.

Posted by Undercrap on Sunday, 05/12/2013 @ 13:41pm

You impressionable teens get off Undercrap's lawn! If you don't he'll bludgeon you with more out of touch old man cliches.

Posted by DarinRG on Sunday, 05/12/2013 @ 13:49pm

Fact number 1:
The VAST majority of underground music is absolute crap and it has always been like that and it is ONE of the reasons it remains underground. The problem is that the mainstream today is crappier than ever, so people are running low of alternatives.

Fact number 2:
The VAST majority of people who listen to underground music (better said, who ONLY listen to underground music) are hipsters, who do it to be seen as "cool", "different", "rebels" or simply to attract attention or to try and prove a point (all for the wrong reasons) In fact, everybody else sees them as freaks and makes fun of them.
It does not make you smarter than everybody else to be a hipster, it's just ridiculous.

Just trying to clarify some things for the impressionable teens here.

Fact number 3:
SUPERTRAMP are an amazing band and very underrated, in my opinion. But I would not call them underground (not when you sold over 60 million albums worldwide). But I also wouldn't call them mainstream. They have elements of both, depending on the different stages in their careers.

Posted by Undercrap on Sunday, 05.12.13 @ 13:41pm
--------------------------------------------------
These are both of your postings joined as one.

You state that the vast majority of underground music is crap. At the same time, you note that Supertramp has an underground element to them. By this logic, does this not mean that at least a portion of Supertramp's music is crap?

Are you attempting to mount a push for Supertramp here? This seems like an odd way to do it. If a member of the voting committee for the Rock Hall ever showed up on this page, he/she could easily use this as ammunition Against the group!

Posted by Cheesecrop on Monday, 05/13/2013 @ 06:04am

I am not familiar with their first two albums. However, I am aware of the greatness of Supertramp. "Crime Of The Century," "Even In The Quietest Moments," "Breakfast In America" and "Paris" are all magnificent albums. After Roger Hodgson left however, the band was not the same.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 07/7/2013 @ 18:09pm

The one thing that I really like about Supertramp is the way that John Anthony Helliwell flawlessly integrates the saxophone into their songs. They have a jazz element to their songs which really stands out and makes them much better in my honest opinion.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 08/10/2013 @ 14:00pm

By the way, has anyone seen the "Supertamp Live In Paris '79" BluRay? I had been watching it, since around 10 a.m. this morning.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Wednesday, 06/11/2014 @ 15:31pm

I am not really familiar with many of Supertramp's albums after Roger Hodgson left. I think that there would be a strong argument that perhaps "Crime Of The Century" and "Paris" are also essential albums, however.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 10/11/2014 @ 13:35pm

No band has done for me than what Supertramp has done. If someone questions them being in the HOF, re-listen to Crisis? What Crisis?, Even in the Quietest Moments, Crime of the Century, then re-listen to the uniqueness of their earlier progressive rock songs. Then go forward and listen to the albums that came after Breakfast in America. Breakfast in America was so popular, that some think that this album constitutes what they were about. Supertramp is not Breakfast in America; they are so much more! Their being different than anyone else, their progressiveness, their rock, their sound, their uniqueness, their saxophonist, the way that Roger and Dougie complemented each other, etc. They were, and are, wonderful musicians in their own rights, and better together when complementing each other. Since so few people mention Supertramp when considering HOF snubs, I continue to go back to their music and wonder why. Each song of theirs is, my opinion, so complexly and simply wonderful that there are so many individual songs that prove their greatness. If I were to create a list of songs that should be listened to, to consider their eligibility in the HOF, the list would be long. Therefore, listen to their albums...listen to them again. Their albums are not just good music; they are musical masterpieces. They were put together by extremely talented musicians. Supertramp should be in the Music Hall of Fame!

Posted by MIchael Walker on Saturday, 02/7/2015 @ 05:58am

No band has done for me than what Supertramp has done. If someone questions them being in the HOF, re-listen to Crisis? What Crisis?, Even in the Quietest Moments, Crime of the Century, then re-listen to the uniqueness of their earlier progressive rock songs. Then go forward and listen to the albums that came after Breakfast in America. Breakfast in America was so popular, that some think that this album constitutes what they were about. Supertramp is not Breakfast in America; they are so much more! Their being different than anyone else, their progressiveness, their rock, their sound, their uniqueness, their saxophonist, the way that Roger and Dougie complemented each other, etc. They were, and are, wonderful musicians in their own rights, and better together when complementing each other. Since so few people mention Supertramp when considering HOF snubs, I continue to go back to their music and wonder why. Each song of theirs is, my opinion, so complexly and simply wonderful that there are so many individual songs that prove their greatness. If I were to create a list of songs that should be listened to, to consider their eligibility in the HOF, the list would be long. Therefore, listen to their albums...listen to them again. Their albums are not just good music; they are musical masterpieces. They were put together by extremely talented musicians. Supertramp should be in the Music Hall of Fame!

Posted by MIchael Walker on Saturday, 02/7/2015 @ 05:58am

I'd say NO to Supertramp RRHOF. Groups like Duran Duran, Def Leppard, Moody Blues, The Cure, Deep Purple, etc are more deserving. A case of a good group but can't put everyone in Hall. KING

Posted by KING on Sunday, 05/10/2015 @ 02:54am

KING,

Although I agree that Duran Duran and The Moody Blues are essential and thoroughly deserving induction first, I think that you can make a case for Supertramp as well: "Crime Of The Century," "Even In The Quietest Moments" and "Breakfast In America" are brilliant studio albums and "Paris" is one of the greatest "progressive rock" live recordings ever made.

Michael Walker,

If you are willing to start a petition drive to get Supertramp inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, I would definitely be willing to sign it.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Sunday, 10/30/2016 @ 14:31pm

Perhaps a nomination for Supertramp may now be forthcoming, now that the “holy trinity” of prog (Rush, Yes and The Moody Blues) have been inducted?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 10:54am

Perhaps a nomination for Supertramp may now be forthcoming, now that the “holy trinity” of prog (Rush, Yes and The Moody Blues) have been inducted?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 10:54am

It's hard to tell, Enig. Right now, the Hall seems to be going out of their way to jam as many classic rock bands as possible in there, so Supertramp is a possibility, but I don't think Supertramp is a logical progression in the prog train of thought.

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 11:34am

Supertramp wound up being a pretty commercial radio friendly version of prog - once you head that direction I would think that bands like Foreigner and Styx would stand higher chances than Supertramp at getting nominated, with Foreigner seeming more likely of those two - and Bad Company seeming more likely than Foreigner since they are an obvious big influence on the style of the band.

Posted by Shrek on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 11:54am

Hey, how about y'all get some sense and taste implants? SUPERTRAMP HAVE NO CHANCE AT THE HOF! Why?

NO ONE CARES!!!

Posted by Classic Rock Must DIe (like their listeners are) on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 16:43pm

Apparently drooling trolls like you on the internet care enough about the subject to get all worked up and USE ALL CAPS LIKE SOME SORT OF ALEX JONES SYCOPHANT!!!!

I've just about given up trying to use my personal tastes or what I used to think might be common sense to guide my thoughts on what could potentially go into the HOF. Especially as various nostalgia crazes come and go.

I mean before the Guardians In The Galaxy soundtracks, who would have ever predicted the return of interest in old "yacht rock" (what we used to call easy listening or Lite Rock). I've seen plenty of music I thought was crap come back around and be considered "classic" and stuff I thought was jaw dropping that can't get a sniff at the HOF. I've seen stuff I liked that I thought would never have a chance get nominated and some even get inducted; and stuff I didn't like passed over that befuddles me because it seems to have about the same merits as some other stuff I've seen go in easily.

Posted by Shrek on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 17:40pm

Supertramp is very long longshot for a nomination.
Don’t see that happening.

Posted by Mark on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 19:15pm

That's a great example of passing on a dissenting opinion with class and dignity.

Posted by shrek on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 20:05pm

Shrek,

I know exactly what you're talking about. I felt the exact same way about Daryl Hall and John Oates. And then, I saw them playing in some movies, and their songs in other movie sound tracks, plus, they were one of the mash-ups on "Glee." After that, I knew they were gaining traction, and had a real shot at that point. Who is to say the same can't happen for Supertramp?

Posted by Philip on Thursday, 04/19/2018 @ 21:50pm

Any band this side of The Beatles would have been proud to have made a record like 'Breakfast in America'.

They have a case.

Posted by Paul in KY on Friday, 04/20/2018 @ 08:32am

Paul in KY,

Yes, I do think that Supertramp also has a case for induction. Let’s first look at what is in their favor- the recent inductions of the “holy trinity” of prog (Rush, Yes and The Moody Blues). As I have stated previously, if the members of Rush have acknowledged your influence, expect a nomination to be forthcoming.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Saturday, 08/4/2018 @ 13:48pm

Re. Supercramp- What Mark said a few posts earlier is the truth! The test is empty chatter... #moveonalready

Posted by KXB on Saturday, 08/4/2018 @ 14:26pm

Supertramp

01. Rick Davies – vocals, keyboards, harmonica, 1969–1988, 1996–2002, 2010–present)
02. Roger Hodgson – vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass guitar, 1969-1983)
03. Richard Palmer-James – guitars, vocals, (1969-1971)
04. Keith Baker – drums (1969-1970)
05. Robert Millar – drums, percussion (1970-1971)
06. Dave Winthrop - woodwinds, vocals (1970-1973)
07. Kevin Currie - drums, percussion (1971-1973)
08. Frank Farrell – bass, backing vocals (1971-1972)
09. Bob Siebenberg – drums, percussion (1973–1988, 1996–2002, 2010–present)
10. John Helliwell – woodwinds, keyboards (1973–1988, 1996–2002, 2010–present)

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 08/5/2018 @ 15:00pm

'Interesting' lineup chronology, not that it will ever matter! #nevermakingthehall
#noonecares

Posted by KXB on Sunday, 08/5/2018 @ 15:51pm

I hate to be "that" guy, but how the heck have these guys not been inducted!? Let alone considered!? I mean, honestly. Anybody could recognize something like "Give a Little Bit" or "Goodbye Stranger". easily one of the most influential prog bands of all time.

Posted by Jason Dagotto on Monday, 11/26/2018 @ 22:12pm

@Jason,

Maybe because the committee themselves never took a look at them, which sucks, because they would be one of those bands you pick to get in anyway. I love Give A Little Bit. An all time rock classic.

Posted by Timothy Pernell on Monday, 11/26/2018 @ 22:43pm

Supertramp is one of those Prog/Classic Rock bands I don't see them getting inducted at all. Maybe "Give A Little Bit" will make it on the Singles Category, but an actually induction just doesn't sound very likely to me. I only see Roxy, ELP, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum and King Crimson as the last remaining prog bands from the 60's and 70's who have the best chance of getting inducted for the next five years (2019-2023).

Posted by The Dude on Tuesday, 11/27/2018 @ 12:17pm

*actual

Posted by The Dude on Tuesday, 11/27/2018 @ 13:30pm

First of, The RnRHOF has turned out to be the faulty farce of marketing subjective unsubstantiated institution that hints at recognizing artists for contributing greatly to the industry. Recently...Joan Jett?, Bon Jovi?, the list goes on and on for those who have given us 3 songs with radio play; many covers. Where is Pat Benatar? Real influence. Joan Jett? Supertramp does not need the band's accolades repeated but to those who have not listened to their catalog of growth from the first album of 4 members to their last issue of Slow Motion need to do themselves a life changing favor and buy the entire collection of albums. They are a band whose albums of Greatest Hits are simply redundant to their studio albums but lack the impact of not including the incredible deep tracks that make a band phenomenal. With that said, their "Greatest Hits" alone should indicate their credentials into the HOF. Show me a band with albums like their self titled, Indelibly Stamped, Crime of the Century (1 of every 20 person in Canada owns a copy), Even in the Quietest Moments, Crisis What Crisis, Breakfast in America (2 Grammys), Famous Last Words, Free As a Bird, Some Things Never Change, Slow Motion, and Brother Where you Bound. I love a lot of music owning over a 1000 LPs not to mention my digital collection and I place Supertramp in the top 100 of most play-worthy bands of the never-to-be-repeated genre of music from 1964 to 1980. It is just a shame they will not honor them while Rick Davies is still alive though I do truly doubt he cares knowing his contribution tells the truth, the story, his contribution in a most pleasing way. Thank you to Roger and Rick. You have made my life something to celebrate musically.

Posted by John's Famous Last Word on Friday, 03/8/2019 @ 14:02pm

John recently made some great viewpoints on Supertramp, and I would like to add that one of the key elements to their success was their meticulous nature towards perfection in the recording process. Maybe this was prevalent of that era, as so many artists/bands were extremely focused to put out great records. Floyd, Bowie, Roxy Music, Alan Parsons, Yes, J. Tull, and numerous others utilizing the newest and best techniques available.

One Supertramp album that stands out for me is "Even in the Quietest Moments"(1977). With "Give a Little Bit", being the hit, I really like the title track, "Even in the Quietest Moments". One of their signature songs, IMO, as I feel it displays their entire nature as a band. But even more so, the album closes with the fantastic, "Fool's Overture", an epic, near-masterpiece, I would recommend, as well as the entire album.
As far as Supertramp's nomination chances, I believe that is definitely a high possibility, and maybe probable at some point. They were also a great live show. I have not seen the Live in Paris '79 Blu-ray, the album is great. But I do own the Supertramp DVD, "The Story So Far...", which has a great live concert, and is excellent.

Posted by Will N. on Tuesday, 03/12/2019 @ 12:36pm

https://chartmasters.org/2019/08/streaming-masters-supertramp/#more-11137

Streaming Masters – Supertramp

"Prog rock British icons Supertramp are still widely loved in markets like France and Italy, but they have disappeared from the radar in English-speaking markets for decades."

"How does this situation translate into streaming numbers? Is it possibly to have sold millions of albums and get next to zero plays nowadays?"

Posted by The Dude on Wednesday, 08/14/2019 @ 14:45pm

https://chartmasters.org/2019/08/supertramp-albums-and-singles-sales/

Supertramp albums and singles sales

"40 years ago, in the summer of 1979, the whole world was crazy about the album Breakfast In America by classic group Supertramp."

"This immense success wasn’t only the peak of the group, but the flagship of an entire genre that was heavily popular back then, progressive rock."


"Of course, we already studied Pink Floyd from this genre, but the UK legends are often more associated with classic rock in general by the masses, or psychedelic rock."

"The late 70s progressive rock music had often a pop-oriented sound, and in this category Supertramp were kings."

"As a demonstration of the genre’s super dominance 40 years ago, we can check Germany’s top album chart starting August 13, 1979."

"Supertramp were at #2 and #26, Dire Straits at #3 and #4, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band at #9 and #29, Electric Light Orchestra at #11 and #19, Barclay James Harvest at #14, Alan Parsons Project at #15, #22, #36, Pink Floyd at #16. 10 of these albums were also the 10 longest runners of the Top 40."

"While Pink Floyd became one of the greatest selling catalog bands, Supertramp haven’t dent a single Billboard chart for more than 30 years, not even sub-genre rankings."

"It’s near impossible to approach top sellers of all-time with no catalog appeal. Where does the band led by Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies rank in this context?"

Posted by The Dude on Wednesday, 08/14/2019 @ 14:48pm

Belgium
Wallonie

2019.09.14: # 196

Supertramp - Breakfast In America CD

Album top-200

Posted by The Dude on Monday, 09/16/2019 @ 08:15am

I didn't know Supertramp was considered progressive. Most prog bands don't have their appeal. Rush never had a comparable string of hits that ate familiar to the average listener, while Yes had a number one hit many years after they formed. I know Supertramp mainly from Breakfast in America, which was their greatest success, but not a template for progressive rock. Breakfast in America was released in 1979, which I think was the worst year in popular music, mainly because of disco(punk and metal also drag it down to a lesser degree). It's easier to be the best of a bad lot. People flicked to it bevause so much else was junk.That album would have gotten lost in other years with a better track record. The top rock track of 1979 was My Sharona, which shows how bad the year was. Supertramp is definitely better than one hit wonder Knack. But there are "new wave" or just new bands that were active in '79 that I would rank higher, including Elvis Costello & Attractions, Talking Heads, Police, Dire Straits. The Clash were the critics' darling the. All of those bands are in the Hall.

Posted by Sexxxmachine on Sunday, 05/24/2020 @ 00:07am

Supertramp is considered as a Progressive Rock band because of their first few LP's that came out were very prog, especially the first 2 albums. The debut, which I prefer over the 2nd album, came out in 1970 in the UK, but not released in the U.S. until 1977, when I first saw it. Who knew? They scored much better with the 3rd LP in 1974, "Crime of the Century", a Prog/Art Rock gem, and starting to move in the Pop direction also. I first heard of Supertramp in 1975 when "Bloody Well Right" hit the American Top 40, getting some AM radio airplay, and reaching #35. A very quirky, unusual, heavy British tune which was actually the B- side of the "Dreamer" single, but Bloody Well Right resulted in their first hit song. My favorite Supertramp album may be their 1977 release "Even In the Quietest Moments", a masterpiece which seems conceptual when listening, as the songs all flow together quite nicely, but I am not sure. This LP produced their next Hit Single, "Give A Little Bit", getting to #15 on the U.S. charts, and placing them into the Mainstream of American Rock music airplay, and continuing in the Pop Rock direction. This album also has the great songs "Even in the Quietest Moments" and the epic "Fool's Overture". This album is best absorbed in it's entirety, late at night with the lights out, relaxing with your libation of choice..
Then in 1979, with some of the band having relocated to the U.S., and Los Angeles, the mega hit, blockbuster "Breakfast in America" was released, and during this success, Supertramp is now labeled as an Art Rock/ Pop Rock band. Breakfast was recorded in Los Angeles, and with the 4 main hit songs still getting FM airplay now for decades later, these are the tunes that most people recognize, and are familiar with. I happen to like one of the non hits best, "Child Of Vision", which is a great, fast jamming piano tune. I would recommend, this, and any of their great songs, for experience on the Live 1979 in Paris video DVD, wherever you can find it. They are on YT..
I don't know if it a British thing, but Supertramp to me, is a band that was always striving for perfection. In the likes of Bowie, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Roxy Music, and others who paid great attention to detail and creativity in the recording process. That would be my take on the band, and I feel if Roger Hodgson had stayed with the band with Rick Davies, I think the band could have gone further and produced a few more hit albums, maybe the way Genesis did in the 80's. With their current status, Supertramp is close to being recognized for a nomination, but seem to be just outside along with that large group of Classic rockers in the same situation..

Posted by Will N. on Sunday, 05/24/2020 @ 11:47am

Will N.,

I think that you can make a case for Supertramp, if you are acknowledging their work as a prog-pop hybrid. "Breakfast In America" had been a hugely successful recording. 'Fool's Overture' from "In The Quietest Moments" is an understated prog epic and of course, "Crime Of The Century" had been a prog rock tour de force.


Well, what do you think?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Monday, 05/25/2020 @ 15:51pm

Will knows more about the band than their members, chart positions and everything. There were a few typos in my earlier post. I listened to Crime of the Century and Breakfast in America on Prime Music earlier and I will again. EVEN IN THE QUIETEST MOMENTS may not be available with those two so I probably won't listen to it.

Posted by Sexxxmachine on Monday, 05/25/2020 @ 19:30pm

If you know who you are you are your own superstar. Wow does that fit with all motivational speakers claim in today's world. That was when heartbreak songs were the norm. I loved Crisis what Crisis. I respected that they wrote about social issues and personal growth. How many songs were about the pain that goes with the human experience such as Hide in your shell. How about Indebedily Stamp for an album cover in it's time. I seen them 6 times and remember so well breaking into Give a little bit when they were all together as an expression of gratitude. Lyrics "so you think your life is a catastrophe it has to be for you to grow" It wasn't just music the lyrics were innovative.

Posted by Potatoman on Wednesday, 02/10/2021 @ 14:26pm

Hey SG, evidently you have limited yourself to only listening to Breakfast in America. Go back 10 years ago, to their beginnings and then come here and talk about them and compare them to others. Not even the most inspired Pink Floyd, King Crimson ... have created airy and gritty songs at the same time like Rudy, Asylum, Crime of The Century, Gone Hollywood, Brother Where You Bound ...

Posted by Giulio on Saturday, 10/30/2021 @ 15:34pm

Don't know who decide's or what band is inducted in the hall a fame I think Supertramp should be there they are as good or better then some of them that was inducted already
Hope they get in there they deserve it 100%

Posted by Rich on Wednesday, 11/30/2022 @ 13:52pm

Don't know who decide's or what band is inducted in the hall a fame I think Supertramp should be there they are as good or better then some of them that was inducted already
Hope they get in there they deserve it 100%

Posted by Rich on Wednesday, 11/30/2022 @ 13:54pm

Michael Walker, let's start a petition drive for this. Only way to get the Hall's attention.

Posted by Jerry on Tuesday, 01/3/2023 @ 22:58pm

it is the Crime of the Century - SUPERTRAMP SHOULD BE IN THE STUPID ROCK N ROLL HOF- IT IS A SHAM

Posted by Seat geek on Wednesday, 02/8/2023 @ 14:43pm