Air Supply
Mayo PAC – Morristown, NJ – September 26, 2024
Review & Photos – Rebecca Wolf
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccawolfconcertphotos/
After almost a half century, 49 years to be exact, Air Supply fans’ devotion to the band equals the passion infused in each and every one of their beautiful, heartfelt love songs. The interest in various musical genres has come and gone over the past five decades. However, love songs have truly never fallen out of favor….love is just that timeless. While there might be those who deny being fans of what they believe to be sappy, emotional music, take a peak behind the closet door or in the audience of an Air Supply concert and you just may see those naysayers passionately singing along with the adoring Air Supply audience. One who has not attended an Air Supply performance might think the crowd will be predominantly women or obliging (but disinterested) boyfriends/spouses accompanying their partners to a show. However, having been to a number of Air Supply performances I’ve noticed every time that the majority present, regardless of gender, are fully engaged and happily singing along. This is what I again experienced at Mayo PAC on September 26th, a performance rescheduled from August when Russell Hitchcock was sick with Covid.
The theater was packed with adoring Air Supply fans who’d been eagerly awaiting the performance since summer. The excitement in the crowd was palpable, as cheers erupted with the band’s onstage arrival. Moving to the edge of the stage, Graham Russell raised his arms in the air, pointer fingers aimed towards the sky, as if to dramatically proclaim, “We are here!” And, there they were for the next glorious hour and 45 minutes, thrilling the audience with every hit and beloved fan favorite. The set opened with “Sweet Dreams,” a soaring number from 1981’s album The One That You Love. Performing the song as a duet, Russell and Hitchcock traded lead vocals, providing each the opportunity to showcase his vocal skills. Frequently when attending a concert the only audience members who can sing along to most, if not all, of the songs are their diehard fans. The rest simply know the band’s hits. However, Air Supply has so many fan favorites that it was’t surprising the crowd was singing along, from the beginning of the performance, song after song, including during “Even The Nights Are Better,” “Just As I Am,” “Every Woman in the World,” and “Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)”.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that there’s a significant difference in Hitchcock’s appearance (a large weight loss), presumably due to his recent illness, and the mere passage of time. However, Hitchcock’s personal rocker style has remained intact, including his black nail-polished fingernails, jewelry, shiny, sequined jacket and black leather pants. “I bought these new pants online,” Hitchcock shared with the crowd. “They fit perfectly when I bought them. However, as the night goes on they’re going to stretch and slide down. But don’t worry,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s a family show.” And, a family show it was. Not solely because the subject of Air Supply’s music revolves around love but because of the beautiful bond between Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell that radiated from the stage. It was heartwarming as Graham shared about meeting and connecting with Hitchcock and their 49-year friendship. “It’s true, all these years we’ve never had a fight,” he stated, before introducing to the audience his “best friend, Russell Hitchcock.”
Forty-nine years in, the duo continues to perform with joyful enthusiasm. The expressions on their faces and dynamic movement about the stage made it clear these musical performers remain passionate about sharing their music with the fans. Hitchcock continued to demonstrate amazing vocal range that emotionally elevated the song lyrics. While Graham Russell is not considered “the voice” of the duo, he too showcases beautifully rich vocals during his lead numbers. Beyond a singer-songwriter-musician, Graham is also a poet, who published his book of poetry, “Nearly Beloved” in 2015. Remaining alone onstage, Graham recited one of his beautiful poems to the crowd, mesmerizing all with the eloquence of his words and the delicate softness of his delivery.
The band returned to the stage to continue performing favorites that had hundreds in the crowd singing along in unison to “Lost In Love,” “Two Less Lonely People in the World,” “The One That You Love” and “Making Love Out of Nothing at All.” While Russell and Hitchcock ARE Air Supply, their incredible music could not be performed without the extraordinary skill of their phenomenal band members, musical director and lead guitarist, Aaron McLain, bass player, Doug Gild, keyboardist, Mirko Tessandori and drummer Pavel Valdman. During the performance, McLain showcased rocking skills as he frequently moved up towards the stage front to passionate jam on his guitar, while Valdman’s dynamic abilities were on display during a phenomenal drum solo, ended with drumsticks flying high in the air.
When the band departed the stage fans remained seated, knowing there would surely be an encore, as no Air Supply performance could end without 1980’s iconic number “All Out of Love.” A cacophony of applause and cheers filled the theater at the band’s return. The loud volume quickly turned to silence as the gentle opening notes of Harry Nielsen’s “Without You” began; a perfect song to showcase Hitchcock’s soaring vocals. As the last note came to a close audience members rose to their feet, ready to sing along, heart and soul, to a hit that continues to invoke immense passion, even after 44 years.
After almost a half century, Air Supply fans continue to feel passionately about the band and their music of love. Love songs have not disappeared from our musical landscape because love has not disappeared and hopefully never will. Here’s to next year, to Air Supply’s 50th Anniversary and another year of love.
