Some albums are simply undeniable watersheds in an artist’s career. These can be artistic, or commercial triumphs (or both), but are seen by both the fanbase and even the wider world, as defining statements. Such was undoubtedly the case when Supertramp released Crime Of The Century in 1974. The band’s two previous albums had searched for a direction almost as much as Supertramp themselves searched for a stable line-up. But so few copies were sold that the band were almost entirely unknown as they embarked on their third.

Like some serendipitous alchemy, the perfect five-piece line-up coalesced around the creative hub of Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, and there was a tangible belief and confidence that had not been present before. They took time away from playing live and meticulously crafted Crime Of The Century, which immediately put them both into theatres and into the charts.

With the album celebrating its 50th anniversary and aided by the author’s interview with Roger Hodgson, this book examines the making of the album, while looking into the music and lyrical content with some depth. It also examines the wider story of the band and the lasting legacy of the masterpiece that became Crime Of The Century.

The author

Steve Pilkington is a writer and broadcaster based in the North West of England. He has published books on artists as diverse as Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep, Van Der Graaf Generator, Iron Maiden and The Rolling Stones, and is a regular Sonicbond author. He has also written the official biography of guitarist Gordon Giltrap. Steve also presents a weekly internet radio show entitled A Saucerful Of Prog for Rock Radio UK, as well as writing CD booklet essays and regular content on the Velvet Thunder rock website. Crime Of The Century Rock Classics is his tenth published book.