Roger Hodgson, the voice of Supertramp, announces new 'Breakfast in America' tour

Roger Hodgson, the voice of Supertramp, will embark on his Breakfast in America Tour next month, kicking off with two sold out shows at the Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif.

Hodgson and his band will perform all of Supertramp’s timeless hits, including “Breakfast in America,” “The Logical Song,” “Dreamer,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home” and “School.”

[SOMETHING ELSE! INTERVIEW: Roger Hodgson talks about his long-awaited return to U.S. concert venues, writing with the Wurlitzer and how he willed himself back from a catastrophic injury.]

“I love performing these songs, which continue to resound for me as a performer and for the fans,” Hodgson said. “My songs come from a very personal place inside me and they carry my beliefs and my dreams and my philosophy of life. I understand the deep connection that fans have with my songs that have been a part of so many peoples’ lives around the world.”

Founded in 1969, Supertramp would go on to sell in excess of 60 million albums. Although he departed the band in 1983, he is still regarded as the band’s spiritual and creative force. The announced new tour dates are below.

Here’s a look back at our recent thoughts on Roger Hodgson, and Supertramp. Click through the headlines for complete reviews …

ONE TRACK MIND: SUPERTRAMP – “SCHOOL,” (CRIME OF THE CENTURY, 1974): Supertramp often attempted jazzy prog rock with mixed results, but they never nailed it as well as they did here. “School” is also a rebellion against authority song, put in a clever context of rules foisted on schoolchildren. But the big draw is the performance: Rick Davies’ lonesome harmonica signals that this ain’t gonna be no uptempo song, and Roger Hodgson’s familiar pleading vocal emerges with just his lightly strummed electric guitar.

ONE TRACK MIND: SUPERTRAMP – SISTER MOONSHINE (CRISIS/ WHAT CRISIS?, 1975): Hodgson’s bread and butter has always been the cheery, melodic folk-ish tunes, and anyone with just a passing knowledge about Supertramp knows that the band’s success was built nearly entirely on that one particular talent of his. Sure, “The Logical Song,” “Dreamer” and “Take The Long Way Home” became some irresistible pop anthems, but whenever Roger pulls out his 12-string guitar, there’s no chance he’s going to play a bad tune. He’s just got an innate ability to coax the sweetest melodies from that instrument and sings with some genuine, heartfelt singing that with that high pitch just soars above the song. That’s a winning formula he performed to perfection with 1977’s “Give A Little Bit,” still my favorite Supertramp song among the hit songs, but two years earlier, he recorded what I consider a pretty fine dry run for that classic, “Sister Moonshine.”

[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Every one remembers Supertramp’s hit-making era in the late 1970s. There were other times, however, when we wanted to tell them: “goodbye, stranger.”]

ONE TRACK MIND: SUPERTRAMP _ “CRAZY” (…FAMOUS LAST WORDS…, 1982): One of the things that has long appealed to me about Supertramp has been their unconventional lyrics. While they’ve done a ballad here and there, most of their material has dealt with alienation, disillusionment, and general frustration — all emotional experiences that most people can draw from. Since “Hide In Your Shell” on Crime of the Century, Supertramp songs have been rife with questions of one’s sanity. The aptly titled Famous Last Words album was no exception.

ONE TRACK MIND: ROGER HODGSON – “MY MAGAZINE” (HAI HAI, 1987): Hodgson will forever be associated with his former band no matter much good music he’s made since he left the group. Still, that’s not to say he’s lost his touch. Rather, it’s the world lost touch with Hodgson. Of his solo work, the general consensus is that his solo debut In the Eye of the Storm (1984) is his strongest post-Tramp effort. Digging into the follow up Hai Hai, though, you’ll find a standout track in “My Magazine.” My affinity for the tune doesn’t come from the lyrics. Hodgson, who usually writes good lyrics and occasionally great, witty ones, mailed it in on this song. What it does have going for it is an in-your-face hard-rockin’ approach.

Roger Hodgson will perform at the following venues:

February 24 and 25: Temecula, California, Pechanga Resort Casino
February 26: Chandler, AZ, Wild Horse Pass Casino
February 28: Tulsa, OK, Hard Rock Casino – The Joint
March 2: Hinckley, MN, Grand Casino Hinckley
March 3 and 4: Milwaukee, WI, Potawatomi Casino / Northern Lights Theater
March 7: Hollywood, FL, Hard Rock Live
March 8: Ft. Pierce, FL, Sunrise Theatre
August 17: Lincoln, RI, Twin River Casino Event Center

More dates will be announced in the coming weeks. For additional details, go to Hodgson’s Web site.

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Something Else!

5 Comments

  1. I love your comments on Roger’s music! He is amazing and his shows an experience you won’t soon forget. Many of us have lived a majority of our lives with Roger waliking side by side epwith us in spirit. To experience that love and connection in real life, up close and personal, in one of his concerts is incredible. He grabs a hold of you the moment he steps on stage. A couple of notes in he gives you a good shake and sends you flying through some of the best (and some sad) memories of your life. Soon you’ll find yourself laughing, crying, and everything in between. At the end of the night you will be begging for more and plotting and scheming how to get to his next concert. He is a MUST SEE! See you at the concert!

  2. You’re so right what you talk about Roger’s songs. All of them are really masterpieces that are part of our life, our soundtrack!!

    And it’s wonderful to know that Roger is on the road again, because what a wonderful experience is to attend a Roger’s show!!. When you see him once, you can’t stop, and need to see him once and another.

    It doesn’t matter how far you have to travel, you are sure you’ll enjoy. A show by Roger is a big party, a big celebration of love, peace and happiness. All together clapping, singing, dancing, and sometimes, also weeping…It’s a thrill, a blast, chills and goosebumps, all at the same time…

    So, nobody should miss a concert of Roger. It’s really worth!!!

    Can’t wait to see him back in Europe!!

    Hugs!
    Ana Lopez – Roger Hodgson Spanish Friends Club

  3. Lila Ferraro says:

    Excellent comment about Roger Hodgson! Without a doubt one of the most inspiring authors of our time and also an excellent artist who can convey all the emotions, and talk, as very few straight to the heart. Roger appears and does not walk, seems to float, his contact with his piano or guitar is so perfectly natural, as a part of himself, his extreme relaxed concentration, infects us and lifts us up, and when he starts to sing feel he is singing only for you in the world with the most incredible sensation I’ve ever heard! This is my year! I’ll be in a concert of Roger but I am planning to attend more than one, sure luck is with me, sure you do too, no doubt about it, you’re facing one of the wonders of the world!!

  4. guitar62player says:

    When Roger performs it’s pure magic. From the minute he walks on the stage with fellow musician Aaron McDonald and/or his band, a gentle, loving presence if felt. Roger sings to the sea of faces before him, pouring his heart into each performance. As a solo act, he leaves nothing to be desired. His shows are presented with integrity and dignity. Using simpler versions of his songs, “Give a Little Bit, Dreamer, Take the Long Way Home” to name several, his connection is with his audiences. You will never forget time spent enjoying Rogers music.

  5. Many of people knows all this wonderful tubes of Supertramp. Many of people don’t know that their author is Roger Hodgson. And his career does not end with Supertramp..
    Roger Hodgson’s gigs are magical. From the first tones you are bewitched by melodic music and charisma of the Artiste. It is the symbiosis between this musical genius and his audience, the language of his heart that speaks to every heart in the hall. It is the journey that takes you to the heaven of wondeful music, the experience of a lifetime .. which is worth crossing the ocean .. and attend the bucolic moment of the Best breakfast in America that you can have..: