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Roger at Casino Rama - September 2002
Roger Hodgson has been recognized as one of the most gifted composers, songwriters and lyricists of our time. As one of the legendary voices of Supertramp and composer of the band's greatest hits, he gave us “Give a Little Bit”, “The Logical Song”, “Dreamer”, “Take the Long Way Home”, “Breakfast In America”, “It's Raining Again”, “School”, and “Fools Overture” and so many others. His songs have remarkably stood the test of time and earned Roger and Supertramp an adoring worldwide following. During the time that Roger played with the band, Supertramp sold well over 60 million albums and became a worldwide rock phenomenon.
Born in Portsmouth, England, Roger spent much of his childhood at boarding school where his guitar became his best friend. Self-taught, he began writing songs at the age of twelve, eventually adding piano, bass, drums and even cello to his musical accomplishments. It wasn't long after his final school year that he recorded his first studio record called “Mr. Boyd” with a session band that included pianist Reg Dwight, later to become known as Sir Elton John. It was during this time that Roger met Rick Davies and the nucleus of Supertramp was born. Their initial collaborations attracted the attention of A&M Records and their first album “Supertramp” was released in 1969. Roger was 19.
Shortly after their second album Roger and Rick began writing separately; though like Lennon/McCartney they maintained a joint writer's credit throughout their Supertramp career. In 1973 the band released “Crime of the Century” with Roger's song “Dreamer” becoming a #1 hit and driving the album to the top of the charts. Supertramp had arrived.
For the next nine years, dubbed by fans as the “Golden Years,” four studio albums and numerous tours culminated in the worldwide success of “Breakfast in America” which sold 18 Million copies. Roger's songwriting, arranging, and producing skills resulted in three classic hits from the album - “The Logical Song”, “Take the Long Way Home” and “Breakfast In America”.
Roger parted company with Supertramp in 1983 after the “Famous Last Words” album and mega rock stadium tour. Following his heart, he chose to live a simple lifestyle in nature with his new family and pursue his spiritual values. He built a state of the art recording studio at home so he could still work and be with his children as they grew up. His first solo album, “In the Eye of the Storm”, was released in 1984 and became an international hit, selling over 2 million copies. Turning down offers to tour, Roger instead kept his focus on home and family. In 1987, the same week that Roger's second album “Hai, Hai” was released, Roger took a bad fall and shattered both his wrists. Doctors told him he would never play music again, yet he never lost his faith. After a long period of self-healing and physical therapy, Roger proved them wrong.
Ten years later he released his first live album “Rites of Passage”, followed in 2000 by his next studio album, “Open the Door”. “Retrospectacle – The Supertramp Anthology”, released in 2005, is a 2- CD collection of Classic songs recorded by Supertramp from 1969 to 2005. This collection captures much of Roger's legacy as he wrote and sang lead on 14 of the 32 tracks, and lent his creative touch to every track but one.
To this day Roger continues to write music and lyrics and has over 60 unreleased songs. He currently performs both solo and with orchestras, playing a variety of his of Supertramp and solo hits. Thirty-five years after writing his classic song, “Give a Little Bit,” Roger received an award for the song being one of the most performed works in the 2005 ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) repertory. In 2007 he received another ASCAP award for a remake of “Breakfast in America” topping the charts.
In 2006 Roger released his first ever DVD from his live solo concert in Québec. “Take The Long Way Home – Live in Montreal” went platinum in just 7 weeks and hit #1 in all of Canada and is now multi-Platinum. The DVD was released worldwide in September 2007, bringing the music and memories that have touched so many of our lives into our hearts and homes.
For additional information visit: www.RogerHodgson.com ( www.rogerhodgson.com )
“Roger Hodgson will be playing three concerts in Brazil – may 2010!!!”
Our beloved Roger will be playing 3 concerts here in Brazil... The concerts will be WITH A BAND. Here are the cities/venues:
MAY/13: Porto Alegre - Brasil - Pepsi On Stage (http://www.ingressorapido.com.br/Evento.aspx?ID=10385)
MAY/14: São Paulo - Brasil - Via Funchal (http://www.viafunchal.com.br/shows.asp?ID=436)
MAY/15: Belo Horizonte - Brasil - Chevrolet Hall (http://www.ticketmaster.com.br/shwReleaseDetail.cfm?releaseID=2654)
Roger also sent us a message thanking the fans for ALL THE BIRTHDAY MESSAGES he received:
"Dear Friends and Fans,
What an incredible journey life has been for me. I’m very happy to be embarking on my 2010 world tour next week and have been very touched by all the wonderful messages I have received in celebration of my 60th Birthday. Can you believe I have been playing music and composing songs for almost 50 years? Little did I know what lay ahead when I picked up that first guitar at age 12.....
I want to thank you for all your love and support through the years and for appreciating my songwriting - I am grateful to have been able to express my deepest heart through my songs and to have been able to touch so many other hearts around the world.
I hope you'll be able to come to one of my concerts this year and let me 'give a little bit' of my love to you.
Best wishes to you all,
Roger "
After the big earthquake in Chile, Roger asked me to send this message to his fans/friends in Chile:
"To all my friends and fans in Chile,
I’m sending you my heart and best wishes that you and your loved ones are hopefully safe from the earthquake. I remember fondly my visit last year to Chile and performing at Vina del Mar. I felt so welcomed by all my Chilean fans. You touched my heart with your warm appreciation of my music. I’ll remember it always. Please know that I’m holding you in my prayers and praying for a quick recovery for you and your country.
I have asked my Managers to offer the use of my song, Give a Little Bit, to the American Red Cross to help inspire donations to your country for your rebuilding. They are looking into where they can use it in their campaign.
If any Spanish fans would like to use my song Give a Little Bit and make a video for YouTube showing pictures of the earthquake and saying what the needs are and help inspire people to contribute – I give you my permission. My only request is that the donations go to the American Red Cross because that is a charity that I know is trustworthy and will make sure the donations get to the people in need and do the most good.
So, to all of you in Chile, “I give a little bit of my love to you…”
Warmly yours,
Roger Hodgson" |
Roger Hodgson 
