Air Supply at 50: New album, timeless hits and no signs of slowing down
For Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell of Air Supply, five decades together have only strengthened their bonds with fans. The duo behind hits like “All Out of Love” and “Lost in Love” continues to fill concert halls with devoted followers, affectionately known as “Air Heads,” turning out in force wherever they perform.
The soft-rockers will bring their hits and a dose of nostalgia to the Palace Theatre in Greensburg on July 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Releasing a new album
Air Supply recently released “A Matter of Time,” its first studio album in 15 years, marking the group’s 50th anniversary.
“We are as energetic as when we first started,” said 77-year-old Hitchcock.
While most of the duo’s albums have been produced by Russell, the singer-songwriter teamed up to work this time with Grammy-nominated Canadian producer Brian Howes, a two-time Juno Award, Dove Award and multiple BMI Award winner.
The album took two years to complete, largely due to the pair’s demanding touring schedule of roughly 130 shows a year and also due to Howes’ insistence on recording the traditional way at his studio in British Columbia.
“Most artists now record one element at a time, then replace everything until it sounds good,” said Russell. “We appreciated the opportunity to record the tracks live in the studio with the band.”
The release of the album comes just months after Air Supply celebrated a half-century since meeting as chorus members of the Australian touring company of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” The milestone was marked by a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall.
Looking back
The Australian-English duo scored eight Top 10 hits between 1980 and 1983, with songs like “All Out of Love,” “Even the Nights are Better,” “Lost in Love,” and “Making Love Out of Nothing at All.”
Hitchcock said hearing themselves on the radio for the first time was a surreal experience.
“It was like what you see in the movies. I was driving down Sunset Boulevard in a convertible with the top down in the summer and had to pull over. I was in shock,” he said.
Even after all these years, the band’s success continues to be a surprise.
“You can never imagine being in a band, or being an artist for that long, so it’s not easy to wrap your thoughts around it,” said Russell. “We thought we’d be around for a few years.”
When asked what accounts for their longevity, Russell points to authenticity.
“We’ve never followed any trends, listened to the critics, or tried to be fashionable. Heartfelt love songs just seem to endure,” said Russell.
“We’ve never followed fads,” Hitchcock added.
Leaving a legacy
For Hitchcock, the greatest reward is hearing how Air Supply’s music has become part of people’s lives.
“Graham’s songs aren’t complicated. The lyrics are simple, yet we receive so many letters and emails telling us how our music has touched people,” Hitchcock said.
“Someone was giving birth with our songs playing in the delivery room. Others fell in love listening to our songs. A person who had once contemplated suicide reached out to us. Our songs have touched millions and we’re now seeing fourth-and-fifth generation fans.’
The pair has no plans to slow down – they already have 70 shows booked for next year, according to Hitchcock.
Despite releasing new music, the duo knows exactly what audiences expect.
“I saw a well-known artist recently and he played a half-dozen songs I’ve never heard before, so I left,” Hitchcock said. “Just because we’ve made a new album doesn’t mean we’ll leave out the old favorites. We’ll always give the audience what they want most.”
Reflecting on Air Supply’s long journey, Russell still finds it hard to believe.
“If someone told us back in 1976, when we recorded our first album, that we’d still be around, performing and recording 50 years later, we would have told them they were insane, yet here we are,” said Russell.