How the Whole
Thing Started
Some would say,
destiny was at Melbourne, Australia, in April of 1975. The two young lads would
meet for the very first time. Englishman, Graham Russell and Australian, Russell
Hitchcock met as cast members in the stage production Jesus Christ
Superstar. Working closely together, a friendship began to evolve. A
friendship that would prosper over the next 22 years. Their similar passion for
music, led Graham to share his songs he had written, with Russell. As the
friendship grew, so did their incredible love for music. The quest to follow
their dreams had begun. Settling for hardly any pay at local pubs, Graham and
Russell would continue to play their hearts out. They found that their talents
were accepted by the small crowds in which began multiplying by the numbers.
In 1976, Graham's
dream came into existence. Air Supply was born! The stage production
ended and magnificently, with a single already released in Australia, Graham and
Russell's moment came. They set out on an adventure; to find success. Then in
1977, the album Love and Other Bruises was released. The amazing
talents of Air Supply brought one of many successful songs, (composed by Graham)
to the Australian charts at # 2, "Love And Other Bruises", which
became a classic, then "Empty Pages" at # 18. This was only the
beginning for Air Supply and to the fans around the World. Immediately, the
invitation for Air Supply to tour with Rod Stewart, came. Not only in Australia,
but in the US and Canada.
In 1977, The
Whole Thing Started is released. Song "Do What You Do" reaches
#16 on the Australian charts. Air Supply was an eye opener to the music
industry. No promotions, no professional training, but yet a success. This would
be the first year for Air Supply to tour outside of Australian territory.
Opening for Rod Stewart throughout the US and Canada, it was evident enough,
that Air Supply crowds were increasing. After the tour ended and Air Supply
returned to Australia, Graham and Russell's urgent desire was to get back to the
US.
In 1979, Life
Support (recorded in 1978), their fourth released album, contained Air
Supply's first big hit, #1 one song for the Australian Charts - "Lost In
Love". This song would later bring added success, in the US, but as another
version. Also, This would be the beginning of a string of world wide hits and
songs composed by Graham.
In 1980, Air Supply is
welcomed by the US. Lost In Love is released and contained the 3
songs that would hit the top five on US charts. "Lost In Love" at # 3
(5/3/80), "Every Woman In The World" at # 5 (12/31/80) and "All
Out Of Love" # 2 (9/13/81). These would be the first of eight Top #5 chart
hits for Air Supply. America could not get enough of the 'Australian Boys'. The
first album to see the Multi-Platinum
How the Whole
Thing Started 2
Air Supply's
outstanding efforts seemed to only to surpass the achievements of the present.
Air Supply, proclaimed the most "Successful Pop Group" and "Best
Pop Group", received awards for most played song, and won awards for
outstanding achievements. The media took notice. Soon the American Top 40 and
Radio Stations throughout the US, joined in with Air Supply's melodious style of
love songs. The increasing number of fans was calculated, infinity. Graham
continued to compose, and the more he composed the more hits followed.
1981, sees even
further success, The One That You Love album was released,
claiming # 2 on the US album charts. Songs "The One That You Love" #1
(8/8/81), "Here I AM" # 5 (11/21/81) and "Sweet Dreams" # 5
(3/20/82), was enjoyed by millions of Americans, making Air Supply's 6th album
go Multi-Platinum. The BIM Award was presented to Air Supply in honor of
"The One That You Love".
In 1982, Now and
Forever was released and became # 25 on the album charts (8/2/82).
Bringing into existence, "Even the Nights Are Better" at #5 (9/4/82),
"Young Love" at # 38 (10/23/82) and "Two Less Lonely People In
The World" at #38 (1/8/83). Success surrounded the Now and Forever claiming
yet another Multi-Platinum album.
1983 would give, the Greatest
Hits, a success on the album charts, at # 7 (8/18/83). Releasing song
"Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" at #2, for 2 weeks (10/8/83). Yet,
another BMI Award proclaimed the new hit song. The song that was sung by
millions of Americans.
In 1983, the album Making
Love, was released in the UK. Establishing a link with more fans
throughout the world.
1985 sees the second
album named, Air Supply. Claiming # 26 on the album charts.
Releasing songs "Just As I Am" # 19 (7/29/85) and "Power Of
Love" #60 (8/24/85). VH1, giving "Just As I Am" the # 1 video for
1985. With all the continued success of Air Supply it seemed the music field was
at a turning point. "The Love Era" was entering a cycle. Music became
less intense with meaning and feeling. The media quickly switched to what the
people were growing into. "Power of Love" would be the last song in
the top 20's, thus far.
How the Whole
Thing Started 3
In 1986, Hearts
in Motion, claimed the album charts at #84. Giving the song "Lonely
Is The Night" at place #76 (9/6/86) and "One More Chance" at #80
(11/1/86). The photo shoot for this album cover has been given the award from
the Fan Club as having the Finest album cover.
In 1987, Graham and
Russell exercised their talents by performing a seasonal release, for the
Christmas Holidays, The Christmas Album. Radio and air play still
contributes with the most popular songs "Love Is All" and "Eyes
Of A Child", during the Christmas season.
1987-1990 Russell
ventures out on his own and releases his solo, self tilted album, Russell
Hitchcock, and his release of his one and only single, "Swear
To Your Heart". More information on this can be found in Russell
Hitchcock's Biography.
In 1991, The
Earth Is was released and song "Without You" claimed the # 48
spot on the charts. Air Supply's marginal success slide in the US did not
discourage the two incredible performers. Air Supply then concentrated their
efforts outside of the US, which brought them touring World Wide. The popularity
of Air Supply decreased in the US. Yet, increased overseas, even to this day.
Air Supply is held in high regard to the International fans and media.
1993, was the release
of the album, Vanishing Race. The song, "Goodbye"
claimed #48 on the US charts(7/10/93). However, Internationally, Air Supply's
efforts on this album, won them great success. "Its Never Too Late"
and " Goodbye" ensured Gold and Platinum sales.
1995, News From
Nowhere, released song "Someone" hitting #50, on the US
charts. This would begin a busy tour season for Air Supply away from the United
States. With the success, as in the beginning for Graham and Russell, the
success of Air Supply was on the rise again. International air play and media
has supported and continues to support Air Supply. Though Air Supply is together
and has remained together, people still are unaware of Air Supply being
together. This is due from the lack in air play.
How the Whole
Thing Started 4
1995, saw the first
release of the Now and Forever Live album, performed in Taipei,
Taiwan. This was part of Air Supply's Asian tour that took Air Supply to
Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines. A 16
piece string section accompanied Air Supply for the making of this album. This
album is purely live, containing no overdubs. Introduced to this album, song
"The Way I Feel".
The Book Of Love
was released November 21, 1997. Produced entirely by Graham Russell, the first
to be recorded at his studio in Utah. This album is a tribute
to the "love song" and to the message they speak to everyone.
The Definitive
Collection was released August 26, 1999 with all the hits, plus the original
version of Lost in Love and other songs that became classics, but not
necessarily singles. The package has new artwork and notes from Graham and
Russell about every song.
The Definitive
Collection will
become a staple for all Air Supply fans, a work of memorabilia to not miss. A
collection of videos from their 25 year career and a special commentary
from Russell and Graham will provide a personal insight into the workings of the
hearts of Air Supply themselves!
Yours Truly will
be released worldwide May of 2001. It is already creating a "buzz"
with the live shows in the U.S. Recorded entirely in Utah and produced by Graham
Russell and Mark Williams, it is bound to set new boundaries for Air Supply's
realm of music.
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