Before I get into the amazing show with Roger Hodgson at Humphreys in San Diego, I would like to introduce you to some facts about Roger and a brief history of his career. (1)
In 1969, Roger Hodgson co-founded Supertramp, one of the greatest progressive rock n roll bands ever. He was the voice, heart and soul of the band for 14 years and is regarded as the spiritual and creative force behind Supertramp. Roger’s 2012 Breakfast in America Tour took him and his new band from North America to South America to Europe and back, performing to four generations of fans. His solo touring since 2002 has also included 
concerts in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, and the North of Africa.
Hodgson has been recognized as one of the most gifted composers, lyricists, and singers of our time. As the signature voice of Supertramp, he gave us “The Logical Song,” “Breakfast in America,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Take the Long Way Home,” “Dreamer,” “It’s Raining Again,” “Fool’s Overture,” and many others that have become the soundtrack for our lives. His timeless classic hits are still played around the world, with some of them becoming #1 again on the charts over 30 years after their original release. Although Roger shared writer’s credit with Rick Davies, they wrote and composed separately. They continued to share writer’s credits much like Lennon and McCartney did. Roger sings all the songs he wrote and Rick sings the songs he wrote. During the time that Hodgson led the band, Supertramp sold over 60 million albums. “Breakfast in America” had sales of over 20 million copies and in 1979 was the top selling album worldwide.
The song “Dreamer”, recorded for Crime of the Century was Supertramp’s first hit song. Hodgson left the band in 1983 in order to spend more time with his family and raise his small children. He moved his family away from the Los Angeles music scene and built a home and studio in the mountains of northern California, where he not only nurtured his family but his spiritual life as well.
Roger’s departure from Supertramp, 29 years ago, left fans longing for more of the sublime music they have loved since the “Golden years” (1974 – 1983) of the band. His songs are still played on the radio around the world, and his unforgettable voice, trademark lyrics, innovative keyboard sounds, masterful 12 string guitar and piano skills, and repertoire of non-stop hits continue to touch the hearts of many generations.
Promoters love to work with Hodgson as he is not only a great talent, he is a true professional who is dedicated to staying healthy, never cancelling a show, and always giving his very best to each audience. Hodgson is currently performing both solo, with band and orchestra concerts worldwide and audiences everywhere say that his signature voice sounds better than ever. He is available for both public and private engagements.
Hodgson has a very deep spirituality that he expresses through his music, touching hearts and stirring precious memories. Many people comment that they feel he is singing just to them. He has always had a very deep spiritual yearning that has underscored so many of his songs and is his compass for the way he lives life. Fans and promoters alike love his humbleness and generosity. Roger truly tries to live his life by the message of the song that he wrote – “Give a Little Bit” – giving a little bit of his love to the world, whether it is journalists in an interview or the audience or fans in a meet and greet.
Many people are unaware that Roger was Supertramp’s chief architect and visionary when it came to arranging and producing the albums and designing the stage shows. All his gifts continue to shine through – in every concert he takes people on a musical journey that is both powerfully moving and intimate.
Fans have come together from all over the world through the love of Roger’s music. One of the things which touches him the most is the lasting relationships that have developed and grown into an International Community.
Hodgson’s first solo album, “In the Eye of the Storm”, sold over 2 million copies. Roger not only wrote, arranged, sang and produced all the material on the album, but played almost all the instruments as well.
Hodgson’s second solo album, “Hai Hai”, was released in 1987 and re-released in 2005 by popular demand. He had a life changing accident the week that he released “Hai Hai”, shattering both his wrists. He was told by all the doctors that he would never play music again. Yet through his faith and hard work he proved them wrong and came back stronger than ever.
His album, “Open the Door”, was released in 2000 in Europe and was #1 in Switzerland for three weeks.
His latest release, “Classics Live”, is a spectacular collection of live performances from his duo, band and orchestra shows around the world recorded on his 2010 world tour.
Hodgson has over 60 unpublished songs and plans to record some of them when the time is right.
And now the journey continues…
On a beautiful Southern California evening at one of the most breath taking venues on the planet; a SOLD OUT crowd at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay was about to experience the music of Roger Hodgson Live. It was a very hot afternoon with clear skies but as the concert grew closer to starting the breeze over the Pacific Ocean gave all in attendance a pleasant relief from the heat of the sun. The stage was adorned with Plants and was a very relaxing and clean setup. Backstage360’s very own Brian Tierney was asked to introduce the Band and did a great job doing so. The band entered the stage and the crowd went absolutely crazy as the members took their respective positions. Dave Carpenter on Bass, Michael Ghegan on keys, Harmonica, Sax and various other instruments, Ray Coburn on Keys, Brian Head on Drums and Roger Hodgson on Lead Vocals, Keys and Guitars. Lights went dim and then focused on Roger, who started the Piano opening of “Take the Long way Home” and was joined by Michael on the famous Harmonica Intro. The sound was great and ended with a standing ovation. Then Roger stands and straps on an Electric Guitar and comments on how it was great to start a show in the day light so he could see the crowd. People traveled from all over the USA to be at this show and Roger acknowledged the fact and joked about how a couple that was just arriving missed the best song and got a great laugh when he asked the couple if he should start again. While addressing the audience Roger asked one thing from the crowd and that was for the next 2 hours leave your troubles outside and enjoy the show. He said that Music is great medicine, so let’s all come together and celebrate and if you feel like singing, go ahead. Roger announced that we are going back to School, which was his lead into the fan favorite “School.” Roger started the song unaccompanied on guitar and vocals then the band joined in. The atmosphere here tonight was very magical and Roger and the guys were playing at the top of their game.
When the song was done Roger started putting his guitar away and sat back at his keys while Brian started playing the Drum intro to “In Jeopardy” and then the crowd started clapping with the beat. After the song, Roger wished to express his gratitude to some people starting with the drummer Brian’s mother and then commented on how Brian was the best drummer he has ever worked with and that Brian has been with him for 10 years and had it coming and not only was Brian a great drummer but a great person. Roger dedicated the next song to Brian’s Mom and said he wrote it when he was nineteen and wrote it in about an hour. So, Roger starts the piano intro to “Breakfast in America” and the crowd screams with excitement. The music is flawless and the crowd does another standing ovation has Roger gets up and grabs an acoustic 12-string guitar. Roger announces that he got this song especially for this crowd and starts playing “Sister Moonshine.” Next was the song “Hide in your Shell” which was affectionately dedicated to Elliot and Marcy who are very dear to Rodger’s heart. Then Rodger comments about the next song and how it was recorded and released in France first and he starts the 12-string guitar intro to “Along came Mary” and the crowd calmed down and became part of the live experience. Rodger casually puts his guitar down and sat at his keys and almost immediately started with the piano Intro to “The Logical Song” and the crowd got totally absorbed into the moment and at the end of the song stood for another standing ovation. This seemed to be the norm tonight, then Rodger talked about how this has been a magical journey and how music was always a way for him to express himself and what was happening inside. Then he dedicated the next song “Lord is it Mine” to Pammy who has been with his crew for 18 years. All of Roger’s song arrangements were beautiful and you felt his passion when he played and sang them. Then the song that asks an interesting question, “If you were an animal living in the wild and you were captured, would you prefer death or life in a zoo?” The lights faded on stage as exotic noises flowed thru the front speakers and the vibe on stage got serene. The song made you think and brought out your emotional awareness. The song of course is “Death and a Zoo” and had many great visual moments as well as being a brilliant song, both musically and lyrically.
Rodger once again straps on the 12-string acoustic guitar and plays “Even in the Quietest Moments” and then switches to electric guitar and asks the audience if they feel like getting up. The audience got out of their seats and started dancing in the front as soon as the band started playing the up-tempo song “Had a Dream (sleeping with the enemy).” At the end of the song the crowd continued standing on their feet and Roger moved to the Keys where he started the keyboard intro to “Child of Vision” another up-tempo song which seemed more like a jam with some vocals. As the crowd screamed and yelled Roger introduced the band. Next, a song we all know and love “Dreamer” and the crowd sang along. The night was fun and you could sense that the crowd left all their worries outside the venue. Roger stood and told the audience he wishes they could see what he sees as he stared out at the Sold Out Crowd. He announced that he had 3 instrumental pieces for 5 years until he combined them together to create “Fool’s Overture”, the final song of the set tonight. The band gathered at center stage for a bow and after thunderous applause and screaming the band came back for an encore. Roger grabbed his 12-string acoustic guitar and started “Give a Little Bit” another major hit from 1977’s Supertramp album “Even in the Quietest Moments.” After the whistling and screaming mellowed Roger asked if the crowd wanted One More. He obliged with 1982’s song “It’s raining again” from the album “…famous last words…” Looks like the “Breakfast in America Tour 2018” was a huge success tonight at Humphreys. After the show Roger did a “meet and greet” and was very attentive to his fans and signed albums and took pictures with the lucky group of individuals.
For additional information go to www.RogerHodgson.com
On Facebook at www.facebook.com/rogerhodgson
Twitter – http://twitter.com/#!/RogerHodgson
Check Humphreys schedule for future shows the employees and security were great and the venue is breathtaking.
Hope to see you at the next Roger Hodgson show and our thanks to Linda Tyler and Wim Daans for all your Help.
The People that make the magic happen:
Roger Hodgson’s Band:
Roger Hodgson – Lead Vocals, Keys, Guitars
Brian Head – Drums
Dave Carpenter – Bass
Michael Ghegan – Keys, Sax, Harmonica and assorted instruments
Ray Coburn – Keys
Roger’s Crew:
Wim Daans
Al Paquette
Guillaume Briand
Mgmt:
Linda Tyler
Shakti Shivaya
Set list for Humphreys:
- Take the Long Way Home
- School
- In Jeopardy
- Breakfast in America
- Sister Moonshine
- Hide in Your Shell
- Along Came Mary
- The Logical Song
- Lord is it Mine
- Death and a Zoo
- Even in the Quietest Moments
- Had a Dream (Sleeping with the Enemy)
- Child of Vision
- Dreamer
- Fool’s Overture
- Give a Little Bit
- It’s Raining Again
Roger Hodgson
Venue: Humphreys
Reviewed: Storm@backstage360.com
(1) From Roger’s official Website: