AIR SUPPLY
50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
The absolute best of Air Supply.
“We love coming back to Australia to where it all started” – Russell Hitchcock
Thursday 11th September – Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Friday 12th September – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Sunday 14th September – BCEC Concert Hall, Brisbane
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock met on 12 May 1975 during rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar. They return in September to celebrate 50 Years of wonderful hits including all-time classics such as “Love and Other Bruises”, “All Out Of Love”, “The One That You Love” and of course “Lost In Love”.
If it’s true that practice makes perfect, then Graham and Russell –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.
Over their amazing 50-year career AIR SUPPLY have achieved success after success, with so much amazing music still to come for their staunch legion of fans. “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All”, “Now And Forever”, “Sweet Dreams” … these are songs that mean so much to so many, and Russell and Graeme will be joined by their stellar band to present the songs the fans love, in an amazing show that will be one to remember forever.
When “Lost in Love” was released in Australia in October 1976, it quickly soared to the top of the charts and went on to be named Song of the Year in 1980. Seven consecutive Top 5 singles at that time equalled The Beatles’ run. AIR SUPPLY’s albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever, and The Greatest Hits have since sold in excess of 40 million copies. In 2010 Graham was honoured with a BMI Million-Air Certificate recognizing three million performances of “All Out Of Love.”
The duo is ever-present on the road to the tune of 130 dates a year and hit a milestone 5500th live show in late 2024. Air Supply were the first Western group to tour China, who prior to the band’s breakthrough would not allow pop music across their borders. In 2005, Air Supply performed for a record 175,000 people in Cuba.
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 also 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 a yet to be titled autobiography by Graham and Russell. The duo will also be releasing their 18th studio album A Matter of Time, produced by Brian Howes, along with a very special vinyl compilation.
“It means the world to us to celebrate our 50th Anniversary by performing in our homeland of Australia,” said Russell Hitchcock about the upcoming tour. Added Graham Russell, “On our 50th year as Air Supply, nothing will make us prouder than coming back to the place where it all began!”.
Make sure you get your tickets early to witness this spellbinding performance of AIR SUPPLY’s catalogue of wonderful songs – these will be very special nights with some of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
Platinum VIP package (limited to 50 per show):
Meet & Greet with Air Supply
Admission to Soundcheck (not available for Sydney Opera House)
Photo with Air Supply on your personal phone or camera
Limited edition autographed A3 Thick Card Poster
Official commemorative Air Supply VIP Laminate
Priority Access to the Venue
Gold VIP package (limited to 50 per show):
Limited edition A3 Thick Card Poster
Official commemorative Air Supply VIP Laminate
Priority Access to the Venue
Admission to Soundcheck (not available for Sydney Opera House)
Quotes:
“The ARIA Hall of Fame inductees put on a show that left the crowd with nothing but smiles, and perhaps some sore throats for those belting it out. The Air Supply concert was unique, full of soft-rock ballads about love and heartbreak, and was something I feel privileged to have seen live”
– Melbourne University Farrago
“No wonder they are still a mainstay in pop music, proving romance and love is never out of style.”
– Lisa Holt / Hunnypot
“Thanks to tuneful musicianship and gorgeous harmonies, Air Supply’s songs hook their way into your head and remain there for life. Whether you’re a metalhead or jazz aficionado, you can definitely hum the hook to at least one song from their catalogue without breaking the slightest mental sweat.“
– Nick Spacek / Kansas City Pitch
“It’s always a pleasure sharing Air Supply’s good vibrations.” –
Bryget Chrisfield / TheMusic
“The most romantic band in the world”
– Time Magazine
AIR SUPPLY BIOGRAPHY
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock met on May 12, 1975, on the first day of rehearsals for the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in Sydney. They became instant friends who shared much in common, including their love of The Beatles whom they had both seen in 1964 in England and Australia respectively. After the evening performance of Jesus Christ Superstar, they would play in Coffee Bars, Pizza Parlours, and anywhere they could to hone their vocal skills and harmonies.
Graham wrote constantly and, with the help of Superstar Pianist Frank Esler Smith, they recorded a few songs on cassette, one of which was “Love and Other Bruises.” After taking these demos to all the major record companies and being rejected by all of them but one — CBS Records — they signed a recording deal. The album was recorded and mixed in a week and “Love and Other Bruises” was released as the first single and immediately shot to the top of the charts.
The name of the group came from a dream Graham had — he saw a billboard with flashing lights all around it and the words “AIR SUPPLY’ in the centre.
The production of Jesus Christ Superstar ended in October 1976 and after only a couple of months, they were invited to open for Rod Stewart in Australia and consequently Rod’s North American tour in 1977. Fifty shows in Canada and the United States in all the biggest venues, including Madison Square Garden in New York and the “Fabulous” Forum in Los Angeles.
Presuming they would be the conquering heroes when they returned home, they were bitterly disappointed to find they had basically been forgotten. After several months of disappointment, Graham wrote several new songs, including “Lost in Love” and “All Out of Love.” “Lost in Love” was released in Australia in 1978 and again soared to the top of the charts. It found its way to Clive Davis, founder, and president of Arista Records, who immediately offered Air Supply a record deal. The song was released in 1980 and became the fastest selling song in the world, topping the charts in a multitude of countries. “All Out of Love” was the second single released and topped the worldwide charts once again.
The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple but majestic compositions created a unique sound that would be forever known as Air Supply.
In 2013 AIR SUPPLY were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. On May 12th, 2025, the band celebrate 50 years… the rest is music history.