Supertramp is synonymous with the ‘70s with a still memorable string of hits like “Give a Little Bit,” “The Logical Song,” and “Breakfast in America,” but the first was “Dreamer,” the British band’s initial hit from what was to become arguably their best (if not top-selling) album, “Crime of the Century.”

Released in 1974, the album put Supertramp on the map, notably in Canada, where it has always been particularly popular – as evidenced by “Dreamer’s” only No. 1 chart ranking, albeit when it was re-released as a live version in 1980.

Band co-leader Roger Hodgson says he wrote the song in his mother’s living room at the age of 19, banging cardboard together to create the percussion.

This performance on Britain’s Old Grey Whistle Test TV show in ’74 is clearly a little more professional, but note sax player John Helliwell “playing” the rim of a wine glass during the song.

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