Air Supply
|
|
Air_supply.jpg
The cover of Air Supply's "Lost in Love" album, 1980
Air Supply are a duo of pop musicians, English keyboardist/vocalist Graham Russell and main lead vocalist Australian Russell Hitchcock, who had a succession of soft-rock ballad hits throughout the English-speaking world through the late 1970s and early 1980s. The duo met in May, 1975, when performing in the Australian production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Jesus Christ Superstar.
Later that year, the duo, along with Chrissie Hammond, formed Air Supply as a five-man group. Hammond left the band, to be replaced by Jeremy Paul in time for the group's first Australian hit single, "Love and Other Bruises." This single was followed by a self-titled debut album that reached Gold status in Australia, numerous other top 40 hits, and an American tour opening for Rod Stewart. Jeremy Paul left the band during this tour.
Hitchcock and Russell effectively started out fresh again in 1978, and the band that was to record almost all of the hit records was formed. It featured Frank Esler-Smith (arranger and keyboardist), David Moyse and Rex Goh (guitars) and the rhythm section of David Green (bass) and Ralph Cooper (drums).
Their 1980 album "Lost In Love" released their music to an American audience for the first time, and contained three US Top Five singles, including the title track, "Every Woman In The World", and "All Out of Love" (sample). It was quickly followed by three more hit albums, "The One That You Love," "Now and Forever," and "Greatest Hits."
During the mid-80's the band (which would be ultimately reduced to a duo) continued to have minor hits in the US, including "Just As I Am," "The Power of Love," and "Lonely is the Night." After recording "The Christmas Album" in 1987 Russell and Hitchcock separated and went their separate ways for several years.
In 1991 the duo regrouped and recorded "The Earth Is," containing their hit single "Without You." The album was followed by "The Vanishing Race" in 1993, "News from Nowhere" in 1995, and "Now and Forever: Greatest Hits Live," a CD and DVD recording of a live concert in Taipai, Taiwan, also in 1995.
They continued to tour and record into the new millennium, with much success throughout south-east Asia where romantic ballads remain particularly popular. Their latest album, "Across the Concrete Sky," is available through their website.
External link
- Official Site (http://www.airsupply-online.com/)
- Fan Site and Forum (http://www.airsupplynowandforever.com/)
- Fan Site (http://www.airsupplyheartandsoul.net/)
- Song Lyrics (http://www.davemcnally.com/lyrics/airsupply/)
- MTV Profile (http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/air_supply/artist.jhtml)
- Collection Of Midi Songs (http://www.geocities.com/airsupply_as/midis.htm)