Supertramp at Ridgefield Playhouse Benefit
Erik Ofgang
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Roger Hodgson, the voice of Supertramp,
will perform at the Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, Nov. 3.
In the 1970s, Roger Hodgson wrote the song "Give A Little Bit," with his band Supertramp. He said the song was his ode to love and helping others.
"It was really my anthem championing love, championing caring and giving," said Hodgson, who was the lead singer, chief songwriter and pianist for Supertramp.
"It was a message that I really believed. At a certain point I realized that one of the secrets in life is giving. I realized that actually I get more joy and fulfillment from giving than I do in just taking," he said.
Hodgson will be giving Supertramp fans a chance to hear all the group's biggest hits when he performs at the Ridgefield Playhouse on Saturday, Nov. 3, at 8 p.m. The concert is a fundraising gala for the playhouse, which is a nonprofit organization. There's a pre-show cocktail party for all ticket holders from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. It includes hors d'oeuvres and an open bar.
During the 1970s, Supertramp charted such mega hits as "It's Raining Again," "Fools Overture, "Give A Little Bit, "Dreamer," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song." Hodgson wrote these songs and will perform them and others with his band at this concert.
In a recent phone interview Hodgson was sincere, thoughtful and full of genuine kindness as he discussed his career and upcoming show.
Q: Can you tell me a little about your live shows?
A: Above and beyond the music there's something that happens for people. There's a very strong emotional journey and a celebration feeling. At the beginning of the show I tell people just leave all your problems outside. Let's come together and celebrate life. Join me on a magical musical journey.
Q: What is your song-writing process like?
A: At a very early age I discovered that inspiration came when I got out of the way. I think I was so in love with music that when I sat down at the piano, or picked up my 12-string guitar, or sat at an antique pipe organ I had, each of these instruments used to transport me. Before long I was lost in the sound of the instrument. That's when magic started to happen. Music was where I went to express what was happening inside me and to express my real deep longing for love, my longing to understand what life is about, and my longing to have some kind of connection with God. Music was a place where I felt safest to access and express my deepest soul and my deepest heart.
Q: Can you tell me what inspired you to write "The Logical Song?"
A: The logical song was very personal and autobiographical; I was sent away to an English boarding school for 10 years as a child. Before that I remember also being a young boy and really being in love with life and being so happy. That's reflected at the beginning of the song: "When I was young it seemed like life was so wonderful and magical" and life was. "Then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible," they sent me to school and confused the heck out of me. It left me feeling confused and wondering who I was. Really, that's the quest that I've been on that began for me after school. I've been trying to get back to that place where I was naturally as a young child, to regain that sense of awe and wonder and love and joy, to try and uncover that again in my being. That's the quest and the journey that a lot of people are on. I think that's why that song has struck a chord with a lot of people around the world.
Q: Have you been able to complete that journey?
A: It's a journey where I definitely have found a lot of answers, but I never will say I've got all the answers. I just know enough to feel much more comfortable in my being and much more happy and fulfilled, and I have much more to give now to audiences while I'm on stage. I'm a much more integrated artist, or integrated human being, then I was back in my early 20s.
Erik Ofgang is a freelance writer in Connecticut; erikofgang@gmail.com
For article online: ctpost.com
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