"It's an honest, autobiographical album."

In a state of flux and floundering after the commercial flop of their first two albums, Supertramp were close to throwing in the towel in early 1973. Enter producer du jour Ken Scott, hired in a desperate attempt to harness the creative yin and yang of songwriters Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson. The result was Crime Of The Century, an album that changed everything, and set the group on the pathway to artistic longevity and blockbuster future success.

- Daryl Easlea

Released at the end of October 1974, Supertramp's third album, Crime Of The Century is their absolute masterpiece. Like Rush's 2112, born out of adversity, it is one of the great make-or-break albums; the thrill of the last roll of the dice, married with the unerring belief of a soon-to-be-manager who recognised the immense potential of a band who had all but been written off.

Crime Of The Century was the culmination of six years of work and perseverance by Supertramp co-founder, keyboard player and songwriter Rick Davies, who had been spotted in his previous band, The Joint, by Dutch entrepreneur Stanley August Miesegaes. The millionaire former charter pilot and one-time pianist wanted to invest in a pop group, and saw something in Davies' quiet, committed drive. Known as 'Sam', Miesegaes fronted the money; when the band foundered, he encouraged Davies to continue, placing an ad in Melody Maker for members, offering a “genuine opportunity”.

Guitarist and songwriter Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson had come to the attention of Lionel Conway at Island Publishing, and had been playing in a project called Argosy with pianist Reg Dwight (later Elton John), guitarist Caleb Quaye and drummer Nigel Olsson. An introspective soul, Portsmouth-born Hodgson sought solace in guitar playing after his parents' divorce. Although six years his junior and with a fundamentally different outlook on life and taste in music, Davies recognised that Hodgson's pure singing voice would be an asset.