Breakfast in America

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious "Breakfast in America" by Supertramp from their iconic 1979 album of the same name, and Zoo Freaks, this track is packed with quirky trivia! The song itself, penned by Roger Hodgson, was actually his first-ever composition, written as a teenager, capturing a playful daydream of jetting to America to chase fame and check out "the girls in California." Its whimsical vibe is amplified by an eclectic mix of instruments, including clarinet, tuba, and trombone, with the latter two played by session musician Dick "Slide" Hyde, as confirmed by band member John Helliwell and co-producer Peter Henderson. The song’s klezmer-inspired elements evoke early 20th-century immigrant dreams of American success, blending humor with a nod to cultural melting pots. Fans on Reddit’s r/supertramp have noted its "reggae meets jazz meets classic rock" feel, with some praising its moody, genre-bending energy that demands a robust sound system to truly shine.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the album’s iconic cover, which ties directly to the song’s theme. Designed by Mike Doud and photographed by Aaron Rapoport, it depicts a diner-themed New York City skyline, with cereal boxes and coffee mugs standing in for buildings. The waitress, "Libby" (played by Kate Murtagh from the Ugly Model Agency), poses as the Statue of Liberty holding an orange juice glass as her torch. Originally, the band wanted an airbrushed illustration, but designer Mick Haggerty convinced them for a photographic approach, creating one of the most memorable album covers of all time. On X, fans like @crockpics have polled favorite tracks from the album, with "Breakfast in America" often sparking nostalgic debates. Some fans, like a Reddit user on r/70s, even point out a eerie coincidence: when mirrored, the "U" and "P" in "SUPERTRAMP" over the Twin Towers resemble "9 11," though the band has never confirmed any intentional symbolism.

Supertramp’s journey began in 1969 in London, sparked by an unlikely patron. Keyboardist Rick Davies, who started playing drums at age 12 before switching to keys, caught the ear of Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes, known as Sam. After meeting Davies at a Munich gig, Sam funded the band’s early days, allowing Davies to recruit Roger Hodgson (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Richard Palmer (guitars), and Keith Baker (drums). Initially called Daddy, they renamed themselves Supertramp after W.H. Davies’ book *The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp*, suggested by Palmer. Their first two albums, 1970’s *Supertramp* and 1971’s *Indelibly Stamped*, flopped, and Sam pulled funding in 1972, nearly ending the band. A revamped lineup in 1973, including Hodgson, Davies, John Helliwell (saxophone), Dougie Thomson (bass), and Bob Siebenberg (drums), hit gold with 1974’s *Crime of the Century*, blending progressive rock with pop sensibilities. This "classic" lineup, known for its Wurlitzer piano and saxophone flourishes, propelled them to global fame with *Breakfast in America*, selling over 20 million copies worldwide.

While tensions between Hodgson and Davies led to Hodgson’s departure in 1983, both have kept the Supertramp legacy alive. Hodgson tours solo, performing classics like "The Logical Song," while Davies led Supertramp until 2002, with their last show in 2012. Fans can dive deeper into their world through Supertramp’s official website, though it’s been quiet since Rick Davies’ 2015 cancer diagnosis. Social media offers more action: check out Supertramp’s Facebook for updates, Instagram for throwback photos, and X for fan chatter. Roger Hodgson maintains his own presence at rogerhodgson.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fan communities thrive on r/supertramp and Facebook groups like Supertramp Fans, where Zoo Freaks can connect with fellow devotees sharing vinyl finds and concert memories.