The Vinyl Countdown… “Back in Black”

Universal Music Group International celebrates the 60^th Anniversary of the vinyl album with the re-release of classic albums on vinyl!

Whisper it – vinyl, celebrating its 60^th birthday this very year, is sexy again. Although analysts and naysayers have predicted its demise for the last half-century, the good old vinyl album simply refuses to roll over and die as hi-fi purists, DJs, young hipsters and simply those with a keen sense of history continue to argue its corner as the most emotionally-charged and sonically-rich means of hearing your favourite tracks.

As methods of music carriage grow ever tinier and conceptual, the romance of the album grows more compelling with the passage of time; the rituals and reminiscences attached. The artwork, the inner sleeve, the sheer size of the package, all take on potency as time passes. The limitations of the format meant that every masterwork had to come in around the 40 minute mark, and because there was no self-programming, the only running order you knew was the one that was painstakingly concocted in the studio. That’s why it’s impossible to hear Visions from Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions without waiting to hear Living For The City about to start, or getting ready for Blue Condition to end on Disraeli Gears by Cream so you could hear Tales Of Brave Ulysses. If you wanted to skip a track, you had to get up off your backside to move the needle on. And that, of course, was all part of the love affair. And now, according to Billboard, there is a growing generation who are eschewing CD altogether and plumping instead for a vinyl version and a download instead.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the long-playing record, Universal Music Group is delighted to announce the release of 80 titles (in four batches) on much-loved 30cm black vinyl across 2008. All will be exact replicas of the original packages. Classics of the past sixty years will be available again from the lilting, mercurial folk of Cat Steven’s Teaser and the Firecat to the sweet surf-tinged introspection of Jack Johnson’s catalogue.

Roger Hodgson, former vocalist and songwriter of Supertramp, comments on his album Breakfast in America being released on vinyl: “Little did I know that the songs I wrote for Breakfast in America would stand the test of time so well and be celebrated with a new vinyl release in 2008. Some say “Breakfast in America” never sounded better than on vinyl. I’m happy that lovers of record albums and great art will have the chance to buy our classic album on vinyl again.”

But this is not merely some history exercise for dewy-eyed oldies. Each album contains a voucher enabling the purchaser to download MP3 versions of the songs within. The releases will begin in April. It’s time to embrace the past as we march into the future.

(English translation follows)

ROGER HODGSON: “ESPERO TOCAR PARA ZAPATERO ALGUN DIA”
Por EDUARDO TEBAR
Publicado en EL IDEAL
23 de Julio de 2008

Si usted enciende la radio y sintoniza cualquier emisora de continuidad de ‘hits’ del pasado, no tardará en escuchar “The logical song”, “Breakfast in America” o “Give a little bit”. Entonces, casi de manera inconsciente, el fino y melodioso registro de Roger Hodgson le invitará a tararear unos estribillos que sobreviven en la memoria colectiva.

Junto al tosco Rick Davies, su contrapunto musical y personal, el guitarrista y teclista británico reinó en el pop sinfónico de los 70 al frente de Supertramp. Una banda de inicios titubeantes que terminó la década despachando millones de discos en todo el mundo.

Hace seis años, Davies y los suyos actuaron en Granada. Pero el público añoró a Hodgson, que abandonó la formación en 1983 para alejarse del “mundo materialista” y volcarse en su paternidad.

Ahora, el amable y comunicativo vocalista, de 58 años, rompe su prolongado letargo con una gira de reencuentro con una audiencia ansiosa por verle en el escenario cantando las canciones de siempre.

Entre sus seguidores reconocidos se encuentra el mismísimo Zapatero, que coincide con Roger Hodgson al elegir el oportuno “Crisis, what crisis?” (1975) como disco de cabecera. La voz de Supertramp repasará sus grandes éxitos el viernes en el Coliseo Ciudad de Atarfe.

PREGUNTA: ¿Sabe que Supertramp es el grupo favorito del presidente español?

ROGER: Sí, y espero tocar para él algún día.

PREGUNTA: Dice que cada concierto es un viaje por su vida. Le gustará comprobar que su voz y sus canciones marcaron a una generación…

ROGER: En efecto. Y me hace muy feliz pensar que mis canciones han acompañado a tantas personas en todo el mundo. Esos temas también siguen siendo mis mejores cómplices.

PREGUNTA: “Give a little bit” recibió un premio ASCAP por ser uno de los temas más tocados de 2005. ¿Cree que su música ha envejecido bien?

ROGER: Es asombroso ver cómo mis composiciones han soportado el paso del tiempo. Escribí algunas realmente pegadizas y fáciles de memorizar, pero con una cualidad especial para tocar sentimientos profundos. Me alegra que mis canciones mantengan la popularidad 35 años después. Muchas veces sonrío cuando descubro que las ponen en la radio todo el día.

PREGUNTA: ¿No le molesta que encasillen a Supertramp en las radio fórmulas de ‘oldies’?

ROGER: Mis temas no paran de sonar en la radio porque son clásicos con los que la gente disfruta. Me ilusiona comprobar que siguen vivos después de tanto tiempo.

PREGUNTA: ¡Hasta un grupo de hip-hop arrasa con una versión de “Breakfast in America”…!

ROGER: Pues sí, recientemente Gym Class Heores han tenido un éxito mundial con mi canción. Y antes de eso, la banda de rock Goo Goo Dolls lo hizo con “Give a little bit”. Incluso un combo de tecno como Scooter versionó “The logical song”. Eso demuestra que una buena canción está por encima de las modas y de los géneros. Soy testigo de ello en mis conciertos y lo confirma el hecho de que jamás me canso de cantar ese repertorio.

PREGUNTA: ¿Qué piensa cuando escucha a sus ex compañeros de Supertramp interpretando sus viejos temas con el vocalista sustituto Mark Hart?

ROGER: Que suenan como una banda de versiones.

PREGUNTA: No son pocos los que sueñan con verle algún día de nuevo con Rick Davies. ¿Es posible?

ROGER: Se lo propuse a Rick hace un par de años. Pero tanto él como su esposa, Sue, que además es su manager, se negaron. Por tanto, tuve que pensar en hacer algo por mi cuenta. Y aquí estoy, muy contento de reunirme con mis fans y alimentándome con todo el cariño que me dan. A cambio, ellos están recibiendo el corazón y el alma de lo que fue Supertramp en mis conciertos.

PREGUNTA: Nunca quedó claro si su marcha se debió a un desgaste artístico o personal…

ROGER: Cuando abandoné el grupo, en 1983, me apetecía salir de Los Angeles y distanciarme de la industria musical. Quería mudarme con mi familia a un lugar sano. Me marché a las montañas del norte de California, un sitio donde podía criar a mis hijos. Aunque grabé algunos discos, nunca realicé giras e hice muy poca promoción. Es ahora, con mis hijos mayores, cuando veo que la gente se acuerda de mí y estoy muy agradecido de que me reciban con los brazos abiertos.

PREGUNTA: El grupo decayó a finales de los 70. ¿Considera que el punk sobrepasó a Supertramp?

ROGER: Mis canciones siguen vigentes. Las modas vienen y van. La buena música es la que perdura.

PREGUNTA: Pink Floyd, ELO, Barclays James Harvest… Sin duda, ustedes gozaron de cierta cuota para experimentar. ¿La presión discográfica actual oprime la creatividad?

ROGER: Los artistas están pendientes del tiempo del que disponen. Tal y como está el mundo hoy, los sellos discográficos no pueden prestar el presupuesto ni la paciencia necesaria para que un grupo se encuentre a sí mismo. En el caso de Supertramp, no ocurrió hasta el tercer disco.

PREGUNTA: Ahora vuelve a la carretera tras un largo encierro casero. ¿Qué le ha motivado para salir de gira?

ROGER: No paraba de recibir correos electrónicos de fans que me pedían una nueva gira. Mis hijos ya están crecidos, así que siento que es el momento adecuado para retomar los conciertos. Y los estoy disfrutando más que nunca.

PREGUNTA: ¿Y cómo vivió la experiencia de cantar con Ringo Starr?

ROGER: Me crié con la música de los Beatles, que fueron una gran influencia para mí. Ringo es una persona con un corazón enorme. Fue una experiencia divertida e impresionante. Imagínese lo que fue tocar “The logical song”, “Take the long way home” y “Give a little bit” con su batería detrás de mí…

PREGUNTA: ¿Los Beatles continúan siendo su referencia?

ROGER: No. Actualmente, lo que me llena y me inspira es la búsqueda del amor, de la verdad y de Dios.

————————

ROGER HODGSON: “I HOPE TO PLAY BEFORE ZAPATERO SOMEDAY”
By EDUARDO TEBAR
Posted on EL IDEAL
July 23rd 2008
Translation by ABEL FUENTES

If you turn on your radio and tune in an ‘oldies goldies’ station, you’ll listen very soon to “The logical song”, “Breakfast in America” or “Give a little bit”. Then, maybe unconsciously, the soft and melodious voice of Roger Hodgson will invite you to hum some lyrics that still remain in everyone memories.

With the rough Rick Davies, his musical and personal counterpoint, the guitarist and keyboardist British reigned on symphonic pop from 70s while they leaded Supertramp, a band that had a faltering start but ended the decade selling millions of discs over the world.

Six years ago, Davies and his mates played in Granada. But the audience missed Hodgson, who left the band in 1983 to get away from “materialist world” and to focus on his fatherhood.

Now, the kind and communicative vocalist, who is 58 years old, is breaking his long lethargy with this return tour and the audience that can’t wait to see him on the stage singing his all times songs.

One of his devoted fans is Zapatero who, as Roger Hodgson, has said that “Crisis, what crisis?” (1975) is his favourite album. The voice of Supertramp will review all his greatest hits next Friday in Atarfe Coliseum.

QUESTION: Do you know that Supertramp is the favourite band of the Spanish president?

ROGER: Yes, and I hope to play before him some day.

QUESTION: You say every show is a trip through your life. I guess you like to prove that your voice and your songs are trademarks of a whole generation…

ROGER: Yes, it’s true. And I’m very happy when I think my songs have been with so many people over the world. Those songs still are my best accomplices.

QUESTION: “Give a little bit” was honoured by the ASCAP for being one of the most performed songs in 2005. Do you think your music has been well matured?

ROGER: It’s amazing to see how my compositions have stood the test of time. I wrote some catchy songs and they are easy to remember, but they also have a special quality to touch the deepest feelings. I’m glad because my songs still are very popular 35 years after. I usually smile when I hear the radio is airing them along all the day.

QUESTION: Don’t you bother that Supertramp can be associated just to ‘oldies goldies’ stations?

ROGER: My songs keep being aired on the radio because they are classics people enjoy of. It’s great for me to see that they are still alive after so much time.

QUESTION: Even a hip-hop band has reached the success with a version of “Breakfast in America”…!

ROGER: Yes, recently Gym Class Heroes had a world success with my song. And before that, the rock band Goo Goo Dolls did the same with “Give a little bit”. Even a techno group like Scooter made a version of “The logical song”. That proves that a good song is over fashions and genres. I see that in my concerts and I never get tired for singing those songs.

QUESTION: What do you think when you hear your former mates in Supertramp playing your old songs with your replacement vocalist Mark Hart?

ROGER: I think they sound as a cover band.

QUESTION: Many people want you work again some day with Rick Davies. Is it possible?

ROGER: I proposed it to him two years ago. But he and his wife, Sue, who is also his manager, didn’t want to do it. So I had to think about doing something on my own. And now I’m here, very happy for meeting with my fans and feeling the love they give to me. They receive in exchange during my concerts the heart and the soul of what Supertramp was.

QUESTION: People don’t know if you left the band due to artistic reasons or due to personal reasons…

ROGER: When I left the band in 1983 I wanted to leave Los Angeles and get away from the musical industry. I wanted to move with my family to a healthy place. I went to the mountains at the North of California, a place where I could get my children grown. I recorded there several discs, but I did little promotion of them and I never toured. Now, with my sons grown, I see people still remember me and I thank them for receiving me with their arms open.

QUESTION: The band waned at the end of the 70s. Do you think it was defeated by punk music?

ROGER: My songs are still current. Fashions come and go. Good music remains.

QUESTION: Pink Floyd, ELO, Barclays James Harvest… There is no doubt that bands like them and yours had time enough to get experience. Do you think that nowadays discography pressure oppress creativity?

ROGER: Artists are conscious about the time they have available. In the world of today, record companies can’t allow the money and the patience a band needs to find itself. With Supertramp it didn’t happen before our third album.

QUESTION: You have returned to the road after a long time at home. What is your motivation for touring again?

ROGER: Many fans emailed me asking for a new tour. My sons are grown, so I feel it’s the right time for playing live again. And I’m enjoying it now more than ever.

QUESTION: How did you live the experience of singing with Ringo Starr?

ROGER: I grew with the music of The Beatles, they were a big influence for me. Ringo is a person who has a huge heart. It was a funny and amazing experience. Think what was for me playing “The logical song”, “Take the long way home” and “Give a little bit” while I had his drums behind me…

QUESTION: Are still The Beatles your reference?

ROGER: No. Today my main inspiration is the search of love, truth and God.

(English translation follows)

“LA REUNION DE SUPERTRAMP ES IMPROBABLE”
Roger Hodgson cree que no es el mejor momento para volver a juntar al grupo
Publicado por la Agencia EFE
29 de Julio de 2008

El cantante británico Roger Hodgson, ex líder del grupo Supertramp, ha considerado hoy que “no es el mejor momento” para volver a juntar a la banda de rock disuelta en 1983, aunque ha admitido que sus integrantes han tenido ofertas de productores y discográficas.

Las relaciones entre los músicos que formaron el grupo “no son las mejores” porque algunos de ellos están enfrentados en pleitos por derechos de autor, lo que dificulta la posibilidad de que vuelvan a subirse a un escenario para tocar juntos.

Hodgson se ha manifestado así en una rueda de prensa celebrada en Gijón, donde mañana a las 22:00 horas dará un concierto en la Plaza de Toros en el que tocará sus canciones “tal como fueron escritas”.

El que fuera la voz y el espíritu de Supertramp ha confirmado el interés de productores y empresas discográficas para que la banda vuelva a dar una gira o grabe un disco, pero los intentos que se han realizado para conseguirlo han fracasado.

No obstante, Hodgson ha expresado su opinión favorable al regreso de la superbanda rockera, y no descarta que pueda concretarse algún día, aunque ha reiterado que “éste no es el mejor momento”.

“Supertramp fue mi niño” ha dicho este músico de 58 años que pudo superar las secuelas de un accidente que le provocó fracturas en ambas muñecas y un diagnóstico médico que había pronosticado el final de su carrera profesional.

“Afortunadamente las muñecas están perfectamente”, ha afirmado el músico mientras movía sus manos antes de admitir que ése ha sido uno de los momentos más duros de su vida, que ha podido superar “con esfuerzo y tenacidad”.

La personalidad de Roger Hodgson se sentía más atraída por la vida del campo que por la alta sociedad, así que decidió tomarse un tiempo para meditar sobre el nuevo camino que deseaba seguir.

Fue entonces, en 1983, cuando abandonó la formación de la banda porque, según ha afirmado, tuvo que optar por continuar dedicándole toda su vida a Supertramp o tener tiempo para criar a sus hijos.

Admirador de los Beatles, Hodgson ha respondido con la frase: “Tiene que ser un buen presidente” a la pregunta de si sabía que Supertramp era el grupo preferido de José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Ha opinado además que los españoles “están un poco locos” por la pasión con la que viven las cosas que les gustan. En ese sentido, ha dicho que la cultura nórdica es “más reposada y cerebral” y que España es un hervidero donde la gente vive “con el corazón”. “Un punto intermedio sería ideal”, ha añadido.

Roger Hodgson ha admitido que “algún día” tendrá que dejar la música, pero seguirá en los escenarios “mientras pueda dar bien las notas de una canción”.

——————–

“A SUPERTRAMP REUNION IS UNLIKELY”
Roger Hodgson thinks it’s not the best moment to rejoin the band
Posted by EFE News Agency
July 29th 2008
English translation by ABEL FUENTES

British singer Roger Hodgson, former leader of Supertramp, said today that “it’s not the best moment” to reunite the rock band he left in 1983, though he admitted that they have received several offers from producers and record companies.

Relationships between the musicians of the band “are not the best” because some of them are in conflict due to copyright issues, and that makes difficult they play together again on the stage.

Hodgson said that in a press conference he offered in Gijon, where tomorrow at 22:00 h. he’ll perform a show at Bull Ring, playing his songs “in the way they were written”.

He, who was the voice and the soul of Supertramp, confirmed that several producers and record companies are interested about the band touring or recording again, but all the attempts to get it have failed.

Anyway, Hodgson expressed himself in favour of the rock superband return, and he doesn’t rule out it could be true some day, though he said again that “it’s not the best moment for doing it”.

“Supertramp was my baby”, said this 58 years old musician who got over the consequences of an accident that caused some fractures in his wrists and a medical diagnostic that announced the end of his musical career.

“Hopefully my writs are perfectly”, stated the musician while he moved his hands, before admitting that was one of the hardest moments in his life which he got over “with efforts and tenacity”.

The personality of Roger Hodgson was more attracted to a countryside life than to a high society life, so he decided to take a break to think about the new way he wanted to go on.

It was then, in 1983, when he left the band because, according to his words, he had to choose between being in Supertramp and having time enough to being with his children while they grew.

Fan of The Beatles, Hodgson answered with the phrase “He must be a good president” to the question about if he knew that Supertramp is the favourite band of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

He also said that the Spanish people “are a bit crazy” for the passion they have about the things they like. He added that Nordic culture is “more calmed and cerebral” and Spain is a hotbed where people live “with their hearts”. “A point halfway between both cultures would be ideal”, he has added.

Roger Hodgson admitted that “some day” he’ll have to leave music, but in the meantime he will be on stage “while being able to play the right notes for a song”.

This Tuesday, July 22 from 8-10 am Roger will be performing and sharing some of what he is currently up to on the SAT1 breakfast show. There will be a surprise or two - so tell your friends and tune in.

Original Link: http://www.noticiasdealava.com/ediciones/2008/06/29/mirarte/cultura/d29cul76.959478.php

“Dejé Supertramp para ver crecer a mis hijos y poder crear lejos de los focos”

El veterano músico británico Roger Hodgson (Portsmouth, 1950), miembro fundador del desaparecido grupo Supertramp, actuará hoy en el Kursaal de Donostia a las 20.00 horas. Su repertorio estará compuesto, en su mayor parte, por los éxitos de aquella célebre banda

Roger Hodgson, sentado a los teclados.Foto: efe

En 25 años ha publicado usted sólo tres álbumes de estudio. ¿Por qué?

Lleva mucho tiempo producir un disco y mi prioridad desde que dejé Supertramp en 1983 ha sido centrarme en el cuidado de mis hijos, no en tener una carrera musical. Tengo tres discos de estudio, uno en directo y en 2006 publiqué mi primer DVD, Take the Long Way Home, Live in Montreal , que fue número 1 y álbum de Platino en Canadá. Tengo unas 60 canciones inéditas que espero grabar algún día.

¿Cuál es el mayor cambio que ha sufrido la música en los últimos 35 años?

Actualmente no hay composiciones tan originales como en el pasado. La gente prefiere hacer versiones o samplear canciones antes que desarrollar un estilo propio. Y el negocio está experimentando una gran transformación con Internet y las descargas de música. Las tiendas de discos están cerrando sus puertas porque la gente no compra como antes. Hace 35 años las compañías discográficas podían ayudar a lanzar una banda en la que creían. Cuando estaba en Supertramp, por ejemplo, nuestra compañía A&M nos llevó a una granja en el campo durante tres meses para que nos desarrolláramos como grupo mientras grabábamos Crime of the Century . Eso es una práctica del pasado.

¿Todo está inventado en la música?

Eso es cierto, pero en realidad no hay límites para inventar en la música.

¿Dónde encuentra la inspiración?

Creo que la música es alimento para el espíritu. Alimento para el corazón y el alma y un modo de expresar los deseos íntimos y las pasiones de cada uno. Cuando escucho una canción, una letra o una melodía que llega a mi corazón y remueve algo en mi interior, pienso que es lo que siempre he querido recibir de la música. Porque la música es una energía liberadora y poderosa.

¿Se imagina su vida sin música?

No, porque siempre he utilizado la música como un vehículo íntimo de expresión.

¿Qué puede decir sobre los conciertos que ofrecerá en España?

Quienes han podido ver el DVD en directo ya saben que el espectáculo que estoy haciendo ahora es íntimo y poderoso. El show es único porque la gente puede escuchar las canciones del modo en que sonaban cuando las escribí.

¿Puede avanzar algo sobre la actuación en el Kursaal?

Por supuesto. Tocaré todas las canciones conocidas que escribí y grabé con Supertramp, como Dreamer , The Logical Song , Breakfast in America , Give a Little Bit , Take the Long Way Home y School . También interpretaré temas recientes de mi carrera en solitario y dos o tres piezas que aún no he grabado.

¿Qué sabe de la carrera de Supertramp?

Hicieron su última gira en 2002 y después oí que Rick (Davies, cofundador de Supertramp) se retiró. Durante un tiempo tuvieron algunos problemas legales y parece improbable que la banda con la que estuvo Rick vuelva a salir de gira.

¿Tiene trato con sus viejos compañeros de banda?

Permanecemos en contacto y me llevo bien con todos ellos.

¿Siente nostalgia?

Estoy enormemente agradecido por la increíble vida que he tenido y estoy en un momento de la vida en el que me siento feliz con quién soy.

¿Cuál es su mejor recuerdo de la época de Supertramp?

Después de grabar Crime of the Century me fui dos meses a Marruecos. Al volver y aterrizar los titulares decían que el disco era número 1 .

Existen diversos rumores sobre las razones de la separación de Supertramp. ¿Cuál fue el motivo real?

Me alegra que me hagas esa pregunta porque hay muchos malentendidos sobre por qué dejé la banda en un momento de tanto éxito. Las cosas habían cambiado mucho durante el tour Famous Last Words . Todos estábamos casados y teníamos hijos. Me di cuenta de que si estaba siempre de gira no podría ver crecer a mis hijos, así que decidí dejar el grupo para seguir a mi corazón. Me decanté por un modo de vida simple en la naturaleza para ver crecer a mis hijos y perseguir valores espirituales. Había dado 14 años de mi vida a Supertramp y en ese momento preferí centrarme en mi familia en lugar de en mi carrera. Me mudé de Los Angeles y construí un estudio en casa para poder seguir creando música alejado de los focos.

¿Le gusta que la gente le recuerde principalmente por sus canciones de Supertramp?

No pienso en mis canciones como en las canciones de Supertramp. Son mis canciones. De hecho, muchos de los grandes éxitos del grupo los escribí parcialmente en mi adolescencia, antes de conocer a Rick y formar el grupo. Temas como Give a Little Bit , Dreamer,It’s Raining Again o Breakfast in America , o incluso el inicio de Fool’s Overture , fueron escritos en aquel tiempo. Aunque Rick y yo figurábamos como autores de las canciones, escribíamos por separado, como Lennon y McCartney.

¿Han pensado en reunir la formación original de Supertramp?

Hubo un tiempo en que estuvimos abiertos a esa posibilidad, pero Rick y su mujer Sue, que también es su manager, no estaban dispuestos. Así que seguí adelante y soy muy feliz encontrándome con mis fans en los conciertos. Ellos dicen que en mis directos sienten el alma y el corazón de Supertramp.

Source link: http://www.northjersey.com/betterliving/news/Hiding_in_plain_sight_is_over.html

Roger Hodgson to perform at Resorts Atlantic City
Friday, June 6, 2008

With more than 60 million albums sold and instantly recognizable monster singles, Roger Hodgson is one of the biggest names in rock that you’ve never heard of.

“Obviously, a lot of people know my voice and they certainly know the songs, but they have trouble connecting the dots to my name,” says Hodgson, the former lead singer and songwriter for Supertramp, who wrote and performed hits such as “Take the Long Way Home,” “Dreamer,” “Give a Little Bit” and “Breakfast in America.”

Now, Hodgson is looking to stop hiding in plain sight. After an extended hiatus from the road and the recording studio to focus on his family and his life, Hodgson is touring again ‹ mostly in Europe and Canada ‹ and giving his fans what they want: a chance to relive the songs of the past, as well as to hear some newer material.

But Hodgson hasn’t performed much in America.

“I go where the promoters want me to go, and they really don’t call much for me to play in [the United States],” he says during a recent phone call from Norway, where he was performing.

That all changes Saturday night, when Hodgson, 58, puts on a concert at Resorts Atlantic City. He was last here several years ago as a member of Ringo Starr’s band, so he’s going into the casino gig knowing it’s something of a crapshoot.

“It’ll be interesting to see if they make the connection,” he says candidly.
“And it’ll be interesting to see if they ask me back.”

When he toured with Starr, Hodgson would sing two or three Supertramp songs during the show. The moment he did so, he could see the light bulbs of recognition flashing in the eyes of the audience.

“It was like they were saying, ‘Oh, so you’re the dude who sang those songs,’ ” he says with a laugh. “I’m really something of an unknown.”

Born in Portsmouth, England, Hodgson began teaching himself to play piano, drums, bass and cello before he was in his teens. At 19, he recorded his first album; the pianist for the recording session was a guy named Reg Dwight, who went on to become Elton John.

Hodgson and Rick Davies teamed up to write songs, leading to the formation of Supertramp in 1969. After leaving the band in 1983, Hodgson settled down in the Pacific Northwest and worked from his home recording studio.

In 1986, around the time he was releasing his second solo album, he severely injured both wrists in a fall, and doctors warned him he probably wouldn’t play any instrument again.

They underestimated Hodgson’s strong will. Through prayer and physical rehabilitation, he was able to successfully return to the stage.

Although he’s been singing most of his hits for 40 years, Hodgson says he never tires of it. That’s because he usually remembers, with remarkable clarity, the event or situation that led him to write a particular number.

He admits to occasionally getting a little choked up on some songs when he thinks of what led to their creation. His audiences apparently have their own strong feelings.

“When I see people in the [audience] crying, then I realize how important these songs were to them. They were important to me, too, because I wrote them. And as I’m singing them, I sometimes think about what was going on in my life at the time.”

Hodgson is a deeply spiritual person, and many of his songs are about his “journey” through life and his efforts to discover “why we’re all here.”

“There’s a line in ‘The Logical Song’ that goes, ‘tell me who I am,’ and that pretty much says it all,” Hodgson says. “It’s just a fundamental
question: Who the hell are we, why are we here and where are we going.”

Roger Hodgson performs at Resorts Atlantic City at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $55, available through Ticketmaster.

May 1st (German Pubic Holiday)

3 Sat TV will have the next “Pop around the clock” day. Rogers Montreal concert, which is now out worldwide on DVD will be aired from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm. This can be viewed throughout Germany, Switzerland and Austria and also via ASTRA satellite in Europe. Don’t miss it!

Published: 04 Oct 2007 - http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/sftw/article296016.ece

THERE was a time when you would have searched in vain to see Supertramp on a list of the Seventies’ most influential bands.

Zep? Floyd? Sure. The Pistols? The Clash? Of course. But those guys who exhorted us all to “take a look at my girlfriend”? Not really.

That, however, is changing as new artists such as Scissor Sisters, The Feeling, Air Traffic and even James Blunt line up to pay homage to the prog-pop pioneers.

It’s a welcome acknowledgement for a band that have never exactly had the hippest of reputations.

And Roger Hodgson, writer of ’tramp classics Breakfast In America, Dreamer, Give A Little Bit, Take The Long Way Home and The Logical Song, is delighted.

He says: “After I’d played at the Diana memorial concert, The Feeling came up to me backstage, shook my hand and said they were big fans. That was very gratifying.

“I grew up on The Beatles and wanted to produce excellent, quality music too. And Supertramp’s strength is the songwriting. Our stuff has stood the test of time. I can’t think of another band like us. We were unique.”

Like so many groups, Supertramp’s success was based on the friction between two very different personalities. Roger provided the mellow introspection plus most of the tunes, fellow keyboardist Rick Davies brought in the bluesy, grittier stuff, such as Goodbye Stranger and Bloody Well Right.

They started out in 1969 as a typical English prog group. It was only on their 1974 third album, Crime Of The Century, that they hit on the winning formula of cutting the pomp and upping the pop. Hodgson’s melodic flair and high-pitched vocals became the band’s trademark.

But successful as Crime and follow-ups Crisis? What Crisis? and Even In The Quietest Moments were, nothing prepared them for 1979’s Breakfast In America. It sold

18MILLION copies and made them superstars. But the touring took its toll and in 1983 Hodgson quit.

He says: “It was hard leaving Supertramp — it was my baby. I ate, slept and breathed the band. But bringing up children and being in the band weren’t compatible.”

Supertramp continued without him but have never recaptured those glory days.

“I was the driving force, really, and most of the hits were mine. Rick is a very gifted musician and writer but he is more passive and he had a hard time after I left.”

So would Supertramp ever reform?

“Well, never, ever say never. I explored it two years ago but Rick wasn’t interested then. Now my solo career is going well and I don’t have any plans to try again. It takes energy and emotion to do these things — you can’t go into it lightly.”

On Monday, Roger embarks on a UK solo tour. He also has a live DVD out.

He says: “It’s just a man and his music and the audiences can see I’m someone who puts his heart into it.

“It’s the spirit of Give A Little, if you like, that’s how I feel fulfilled — making people feel good.” SJC

See RogerHodgson.com for tour dates. Take The Long Way Home DVD is out now.

This is the list of the most performed songs in the ASCAP repertory from the 4th Quarter 2006 through the 4th Quarter 2007.

† Indicates Top 5 Song

Okay, you’re probably wondering “Who the heck is Roger Hodgson, and why should I go see his show?” Chances are you’ve heard Hodgson’s songs but never realized who the artist was. Roger was a member of the 70’s rock group Supertramp, and penned many of the band’s hits including “Give a Little Bit,” “Logical Song,” “Dreamer,” and “Take the Long Way Home.” Roger’s songs have been used on TV shows and in commercials, and have been known to pop up in a movie or two. His most popular song “Give a Little Bit” has been used worldwide for charities and fund-raising events.

You’re probably thinking, “Well that’s great, but why on earth should I go see him in concert?” Seeing Roger Hodgson live is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. You wouldn’t think that one man on stage, with the occasional saxophonist for accompaniment would be that exciting, but he exudes more energy than a full band. I have been very fortunate to catch Roger’s show in several different venues over the years, and no matter what setting he plays in (being a concert hall or open air venue), he never disappoints. I’ve included a couple of video links so you can get just a taste of what it’s like to see this musical legend live.

“Take the Long Way Home” - excerpt from Montreal DVD

For more information on Roger Hodgson, please check out the following links:

1. Official Roger Hodgson Website
2. The Minstrel’s Dream
3. The Garden Gate