Cheak Hong IanAs the strains of some of Air Supply’s greatest hits filled Terminal 3
of Changi Airport, many people waiting for their flights out stopped and stared as a peculiar procession of airport vehicles made its way to small stage erected right smack in the middle of the terminal.
After flying in from Manila in the afternoon of June 19, Air Supply took some time out to meet the media and some fans at the airport in a meet-and-greet session as part of their Singapore stop on their Air Supply From The Heart Tour 2008.
Despite the fatigue showing on their faces from the flight, lead guitarist and vocalist Graham Russell and lead vocalist Russell Hitchcock somehow managed to engage in cheery chatter.
“We’re going to play a lot of our old songs, but there’ll also be something new,” Graham said, referring to their concert to be held at Singapore Expo’s Max Pavilion tomorrow, to which over 80% of tickets have already been snapped up.
Making Love Out Of Nothing
The duo started working together after meeting on the set of a Jesus Christ Superstar production in Australia in 1974. They then formed Air Supply in 1975, with the name being inspired by Graham’s dream of “a huge vibrating billboard with flashing lights and the two words ‘Air Supply’ in the middle” the night before a recording.
Air Supply have come a long way, from going Gold with their self-titled debut album in Australia, to being virtually penniless early in their career, to their tireless touring in the past few years and even a new album,
Mumbo Jumbo, to be released soon.
But how does a soft-rock band like Air Supply stay relevant to the rapidly changing tastes of the music market during these 30-odd years in the business?
One thing’s for sure; they haven’t done an “M-Dolla” and blindly jumped on the hip-hop bandwagon a-la-Madonna .
“We can’t be bothered about what everyone else is doing because we’re too busy doing what we do,” Russell declared with confidence.
Despite talk that Russell’s unique and melodious tenor voice has been dulled with age, Graham thinks that contrary to the band losing its magic over the years, it has, in fact, improved.
“I think we’re better singers, songwriters and performers than we used to be,” he says in all seriousness.
Are Air Supply Tired?
One look at the tour schedule for the month of June and you’d be shocked at what these 2 middle-aged men are putting themselves through.
After a 3-day gig in Macau, they’ve been touring the Philippines for a week, have another concert in Malaysia the day after their stop here, followed by a tour of Taiwan. All in one month.
This packed schedule seemed to be taking a toll on the two, with Graham fighting to keep his eyes open as questions were being asked and Russell trying his best to mask occasional coughing fits.
But when UrbanWire asked Russell if his voice was in condition for the concert, he seemed sprightly enough.
“I’ve been up since 6am today and I’ve sung at 6 concerts in 7 days. You’d cough too!” he said defiantly to the cheers of the crowd.
Well, we’re all praying that that cough won’t get worse! Perhaps a little Singaporean liang teh (Chinese herbal tea used to reduce body heatiness) will do the trick!
Air Supply will play at the Singapore Expo in a one-night-only concert on Jun 21 at 8pm. Tickets are on sale at $128*, $98*, $78* and $58* from SISTIC (excluding SISTIC fee).
For more information, call the SISTIC ticketing hotline at 6348 5555 or log on to www.unusual.com.sg