Air Supply

If it’s true that practice makes perfect, then Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock – beloved by their millions of fans across the planet as Air Supply – have had nearly half a century to hone their skills, harness their passion and unleash the beautifully intimate yet rockin’ romantic energy of those instantly identifiable 80s hits that made them global superstars.

“I remember the first official show we did in the U.S. at Perkins Palace in Pasadena, CA October 1, 1980,” says Graham. “It was the start of a three-month bus tour, and before the gig, around 6 p.m., there were all these trucks outside. The smell of diesel was thick, but all I could think of is that these trucks and busses were here because of us. I had the incredible and deeply humbling revelation that Russell and I were creating an industry, employing many people and part of something bigger than all of us. Then we drove overnight 12 hours up to Portland, Oregon, got up and had a press conference at the Holiday Inn with 100 people. I had never seen anything like it. This was our life now.

“We still feel that way now, almost 50 years later, with people coming to see us and selling out every venue we play,” he adds. “We’ve never stopped believing in what we’re doing and still love what we do and never take it for granted. There’s still something very current in the messages of our songs. Our fans needed our music in their lives then and seem to need it even more now. When we walk onstage, people stand up laughing or crying. It’s like, God, they’re really here in the flesh to see us!”

2025 will bring more seemingly nonstop rousing performances of the smash hits by their powerhouse band. Under musical direction of lead guitarist Aaron McLain, the ensemble includes Mirko Tessandori (piano/keyboards/vocals), Pavel Valdman (drums) and Doug Gild (bass). Graham and Russell will mark their milestone with exciting projects in a variety of media. These include a biopic titled All Out of Love: The Air Supply Story, a Broadway comedy-drama musical featuring their songs (Lost in Love) and an as yet to be titled autobiography by Graham and Russell.