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AUDITION OF THE CENTURY
Great article about Rick Davies and Supertramp [Prog 164]. Gotta admit, Crime Of The Century was the album of ’74, in my honest opinion. However, I do have a Supertramp story of my own.
Around August 1971, a ‘Guitarist Wanted For Supertramp’ ad appeared in Melody Maker. After the initial phone call, I made my way to Cabin Studios in Shepherd’s Bush [to audition]. Upon entering the office, a groovy chick sat at a typewriter typed my name, experience and gear onto a card and told me to go over the road, sit on the wall (outside a garage/studio) and wait to be called.
After about 10 minutes, the door opened, a bloke with a guitar was shown out and a voice said, “Next!” It was my turn. On uncasing my Strat, one of the band said, “Right, it’s a jam from C to B flat. Feel your way in and take a solo.”
When they’d heard enough, the band stopped playing, and the same guy (can’t remember who, possibly Rick himself) said, “OK, thanks. We’ll let you know.” I never did hear from them, but someone said that they had about 150 guitarists go for the job and in the end, Roger Hodgson played guitar!