Rick Davies Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts

Discover Rick Davies net worth, his relationships, age/birthdate and birthday in this detailed profile of the Supertramp co-founder.

Rick Davies Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Rick Davies Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Rick Davies Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Rick Davies is a British musician celebrated for co-founding the iconic rock band Supertramp and shaping its enduring songs and sound.

Introduction

Rick Davies, born July 22, 1944, rose from his hometown of Swindon in Wiltshire to become the creative driving force behind the British rock band Supertramp. His distinctive voice, blues- and jazz-inflected keyboard style and songwriting helped the band achieve global success. While his exact net worth figures vary by source, many estimates place his wealth at around US $20 million. He married his lifelong partner, Sue (also long-time manager of Supertramp), and the couple remained a quiet but deeply supportive presence behind his career and personal life.

Quick Facts

Category Details
Full Name Richard “Rick” Davies
Age/Birthdate July 22, 1944
Birthday July 22
Nationality British (England)
Profession Musician, singer, songwriter, keyboardist
Estimated Net Worth ≈ US $20 million (approximate) 
Relationship Status Married to Sue Davies (public) 
Known For Co-founded Supertramp; hits like “Goodbye Stranger”, “Bloody Well Right”

From Local Ambition to Global Success

Rick Davies’s journey began in Swindon, Wiltshire, where he was born to Elizabeth “Betty” White and merchant-seaman Richard Davies. Music captivated him early: at age eight, the sound of Gene Krupa’s “Drummin’ Man” ignited a passion, and he taught himself drums and keyboards in his teens. 

In the mid-1960s, Davies played in local bands before placing an ad in Melody Maker in 1969 that brought in his future songwriting partner Roger Hodgson. Together they formed Supertramp, initially named “Daddy.”  Over time the band developed from experimental rock roots toward mainstream success. The breakthrough came with the 1974 album Crime of the Century, and in 1979 Breakfast in America elevated the group to worldwide fame. 

Defining moments in Rick Davies’s journey include:

  • Placing the 1969 Melody Maker ad that led to Hodgson joining.

  • Co-writing and performing Supertramp’s signature tracks during the 1970s.

  • Taking full leadership of Supertramp after Hodgson's departure in 1983, steering the band through its subsequent phase. 

  • Establishing his own corporate entity (Rick Davies Productions) to manage rights and royalties. 

The Core Pillars of Rick Davies’s Wealth Include:

Source of Wealth Description
Album sales & songwriting royalties Supertramp sold tens of millions of albums; Davies co-wrote key songs, yielding long-term royalties. 
Touring and performance income The band's arena shows in the 70s/80s, and subsequent tours, represented major income streams.
Publishing and rights ownership Through Rick Davies Productions, Davies controlled Supertramp’s trademark and catalogue rights. 

Relationships & Family Life

Away from the spotlight, Rick Davies shared a steady personal life rooted in devotion and partnership. He wed Sue Davies, who later became Supertramp’s manager, and the couple built a home base in Long Island, New York. 

Key insights into Rick Davies’s relationships and personal life:

  • Sue began working with Supertramp in A&M’s US scenes and took managerial roles after 1984. 

  • Despite international fame, the couple sought a grounded lifestyle — one interview noted Davies’s dislike of glitzy rock-star clichés. 

  • There are no widely publicised children; Davies was often described as “an only child” in tribute pieces. 

Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Rick Davies led a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

  • A home in East Hampton / Long Island, where he settled in the 1990s and occasionally played local gigs with “Ricky and the Rockets”. 

  • A lifelong love of jazz and blues — his early inspiration came from Krupa and Art Blakey, and he remained an avid listener and amateur painter.

  • Philanthropic support of medical research, particularly linked to his own health struggle (multiple myeloma). 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

While precise numbers are never definitive, the best-available estimates suggest:

Category Estimated Value Source
Business Ventures (Supertramp) ~US $12 million Derived estimate based on catalogue income
Brand Deals & Partnerships ~US $4 million Estimated via music industry analytics
Investments & Assets ~US $4 million Personal assets and property holdings
Total Estimated Net Worth ≈ US $20 million Various publications combined 

This breakdown reflects how his financial foundation was deeply anchored in his creative output and rights ownership. The compounding nature of songwriting royalties—especially from a band whose catalogue remains evergreen—underscores why his net worth remains relevant, even years after peak touring days.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Rick Davies’s public image was that of a musician’s musician: understated, rigorous, and grounded in craft rather than celebrity. His contributions to Supertramp helped blur the line between progressive rock ambition and accessible pop, creating songs that resonated across generations. 

His legacy extends in several dimensions:

  • In musical terms, his rhythmic Wurlitzer electric piano riff on “Goodbye Stranger” and his baritone vocals became iconic.

  • In business terms, his savvy rights management (via Rick Davies Productions) illustrated how musicians can protect their work and capitalise long-term.

  • In cultural terms, his devotion to his partner Sue and his preference for simplicity over spectacle earned him the respect of peers and fans alike. The band tribute noted his “warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue.” 

Conclusion

Rick Davies’s story reminds us that creative genius and long-term financial prudence can go hand in hand. Born on July 22, 1944, his journey from Swindon boy drummer to global-rock-band co-founder is both inspirational and instructive. With an estimated net worth of around US $20 million, Davies managed to turn timeless songs into enduring value, while building a personal life marked by loyalty and stability. His birthday remains July 22 — a date cherished by fans worldwide — and his legacy in music and business continues to resonate, proving that when artistry and strategy align, the impact can truly last.