Entertainment
Popular Singer Dies At 81 After Being Diagnosed With Blood Cancer
- /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RIP.jpg&description=Popular Singer Dies At 81 After Being Diagnosed With Blood Cancer', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/RIP.jpg&description=Popular Singer Dies At 81 After Being Diagnosed With Blood Cancer', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Supertramp founder Rick Davies, who wrote and sang some of the rock band’s hits, has died at the age of 81.
The English vocalist and keyboardist died on Saturday, a decade after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, the band said.
“As co-writer, along with partner Roger Hodgson, he was the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history,” a statement said. “His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the bands’ sound.”
Davies wrote songs including 1974’s Bloody Well Right, their US chart breakthrough; and 1979’s Goodbye Stranger.
Born in Swindon, Wiltshire, in 1944, Davies started off in a series of bands including one called The Joint. They didn’t make it big but did attract the support of Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes, who offered to back Davies if he started a new group.
So Davies put an advert for new bandmates in Melody Maker magazine in 1969, and Supertramp were born, with funding from Miesegaes for their first few years.
Davies shared writing and vocals with Hodgson, and the band found chart success with their third album, Crime of the Century, in 1974.
They made it big in the USA five years later with the album Breakfast In America, which included hit singles The Logical Song and the title track, as well as Goodbye Stranger.
The LP sold more than 30 million copies worldwide and was nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1980, including album of the year.
Relations between the two frontmen soured, however, and Hodgson left the group in 1983.
Davies continued to record and tour with Supertramp. They announced a reunion tour in 2015, but it was cancelled when Davies was diagnosed with cancer.
‘Warmth and resilience’
“Beyond the stage, Rick was known for his warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue, with whom he shared over five decades,” the band added in their statement.
“After facing serious health challenges, which kept him unable to continue touring as Supertramp, he enjoyed performing with his hometown buds as Ricky and the Rockets.
“Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.”
Supertramp’s classic line-up also included bassist Dougie Thomson, saxophonist John Helliwell and drummer Bob Siebenberg.
In 1977, Davies and Hodgson agreed to reduce their 50% share of songwriting royalties in order to give the trio and the band’s manager a cut – a move Hodgson said was intended “to keep the band functioning and happy”.
That arrangement lasted until 2018, and Thomson, Helliwell and Siebenberg sued Hodgson and Davies in 2021.
Davies settled out of court in 2023. Last month, a US appeals court ruled that Hodgson must share royalties with his ex-bandmates.
Organisers of The Headies have refuted allegations that gospel and inspirational musicians are excluded from the award’s major categories.
In a statement released on Monday via its official Instagram page, the organisers said the claim does not reflect the award’s history.
They cited previous winners such as Lara George, Kefee, Nikki Laoye and Timi Dakolo as gospel artistes who have won mainstream honours at The Headies.
The statement also noted that the Inspirational Single category was created to recognise songs that promote faith, hope and positive values.
The clarification followed an open letter from Afrogospel artiste Gaise Baba, who raised concerns about the treatment of gospel music at the awards.
Gaise Baba argued that songs should be judged on quality, sound and impact, rather than the message in the lyrics.
“A rap record is a rap record,” he wrote in part.
The singer further questioned whether commercially successful gospel songs like ‘Favour’ and his collaboration with Lawrence Oyor, ‘No Turning Back II’, receive the same consideration as mainstream Nigerian songs.
Gaise Baba also recalled his experience as a nominee, stating that the Inspirational Music category was not presented during the main ceremony at one edition.
He said nominees commit time and resources to the process and deserve proper recognition.
Fifteen housemates have been put up for possible eviction in week six of Big Brother Naija Season 11.
The nominees are Chimsom Chuka, Flora, Aikou, Bells, Tram, Gerard, Oyin, Ricky, Barry, Temi Nkem, Araga, Yusuf, Nomy, Bluethopia and Keivo.
The list was confirmed during Monday’s nomination proceedings in the house.
Head of House Abi is immune from eviction this week following her win in the week six HOH challenge.
She also becomes a two-time HOH this season.
Also safe from eviction is Sheba, who emerged as the Most Influential Player for week five.
The title comes with immunity for the following week.
With Aikou and Flora’s gambit status now revoked, both housemates are eligible for nominations and eviction for the first time this season.
The race for honours at the 18th Headies Awards has intensified following the release of nominees for the 2026 edition, with some of Nigeria’s biggest music stars set to battle across several competitive categories.
Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Ayra Starr, Tems, Asake and Rema are among the leading names on the nomination list unveiled by the organisers on Tuesday.
The ceremony is scheduled to hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, under the theme, “Africa to the World”.
The nominations recognise music released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, with 213 nominations spread across 35 categories.
Fola emerged as the biggest individual nominee with 10 nominations, while Omah Lay followed with eight. Mavo and Wizkid secured seven nominations each, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive awards season.
Wizkid is in contention in major categories, including Best Male Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year, Afrobeats Album of the Year and Song of the Year. His album, Morayo, is also nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year.
Davido also features prominently, with his album 5ive nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year. His collaboration with Omah Lay, With You, earned nominations in Song of the Year, Afrobeats Single of the Year, Best Recording of the Year, Best Headies Collaboration and Viewers’ Choice.
Adekunle Gold joins the heavyweight contenders with Fuji nominated for Afrobeats Album of the Year. He is also nominated for Best Male Artiste and Best Performer (Live) for his performance at the National Theatre in Lagos.
Among the female stars, Ayra Starr and Tiwa Savage lead with five nominations apiece. Ayra Starr is also in contention for Best Female Artiste, Digital Artiste of the Year and Best Performer (Live).
The Next Rated category is equally expected to attract significant attention, with Fido, Fola, Llona, Mavo and Shoday competing for the coveted prize. The category has traditionally served as a major platform for identifying the next generation of Nigerian music stars.
The organisers have also announced special honours, with veteran Congolese singer, Awilo Longomba, set to receive the Headies Hall of Fame Award, while Nigerian entertainment executive, Cecil Hammond, will receive the Special Recognition Award for his contributions to African entertainment.
With established superstars, rising acts and a new crop of contenders spread across the categories, attention will now shift to the October ceremony in Toronto, where the nominees will battle for one of Africa’s most recognised music honours.
Hormuz : ‘We’re going to hammer them hard’, Trump vows fresh threat against Iran
Sad! Family of four die in Kwara building collapse
EFCC summons Timipre Sylva over Queries After Fresh Allegations
-
News12 hours agoEFCC sacks over 40 staff for corruption, prosecutes 5 others
-
News23 hours agoAPM, ADC Group Demand Release Of FBI Record On Tinubu
-
Metro12 hours agoAir Force Officer Narrates How Gunmen Abducted His Wife, Two Children From Kaduna Home
-
Economy12 hours agoNNPCL Increases Price Of Petrol
-
News13 hours agoCalls Mount for Forensic Audit of Chinua Achebe Airport Over Alleged Revenue Diversion
-
News6 hours agoJust in: Court fires 2027 APC candidate, orders fresh primaries
-
Entertainment12 hours agoHeadies dismiss claims of sidelining gospel artistes
-
News5 hours agoBreaking Dangote Refinery stops sales of petroleum products to Matrix, AA Rano, others
Warning: Undefined variable $user_ID in /home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/themes/zox-news/comments.php on line 49
You must be logged in to post a comment Login