Air Supply Biography

Air Supply is an Australian soft rock duo. Established in Melbourne in 1975, the group consists of British vocalist and guitarist Graham Russell, and Australian vocalist Russell Hitchcock. They have achieved significant international acclaim, with estimated worldwide record sales of 100 million and a collection of successful singles. Their musical style, characterized by gentle ballads and orchestrated arrangements, became associated with 1980s popular music. They are known for having secured eight top-five positions on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The formation of Air Supply can be traced back to May 12, 1975, when Hitchcock and Russell initially connected during rehearsals for the Australian production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. The group started as a vocal harmony ensemble. Early members included Chrissie Hammond (vocals), Jeremy Paul (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jeff Browne (drums), Mark McEntee (guitar), and Adrian Scott (keyboards). Their inaugural album, simply titled Air Supply (1976), produced the single "Love and Other Bruises," which became their highest-ranking single in Australia, reaching No. 6 on the Australian Kent Music Report chart and earning a gold certification.

The band's move to Los Angeles in the late 1970s catalyzed a period of enhanced commercial success. Lost in Love (1980) proved to be a pivotal record, propelling them to global prominence with hit songs like the title track, "All Out of Love," and "Every Woman in the World". The album generated three top-five singles in the US. Further success continued with The One That You Love (1981), which gave Air Supply their first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, in addition to other hits like "Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)" and "Sweet Dreams."

The compilation Greatest Hits (1983) showcased "Making Love Out of Nothing at All," which evolved into one of their most recognized songs, reaching number two on the charts. The One That You Love (1981) also became their highest-charting studio album, achieving a top ten position in both Australia and the US.

Air Supply maintained a schedule of touring and releasing albums, including Earth Is... (1991), Vanishing Race (1993), and News From Nowhere (1995). Their sustained popularity in Asia resulted in the release of Greatest Hits Live ... Now and Forever (1996).

Their most recent musical works include the album Mumbo Jumbo (2010) and the live albums Live in Jerusalem (2012) and Live in Hong Kong (2015). The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) inducted Air Supply into their Hall of Fame in 2013. Moreover, Air Supply provided 200 complimentary tickets to the wives of firefighters through the Haifa Fire Department workers union. In 2018, a jukebox musical adapted from Air Supply's discography, All Out of Love: The Musical, was created in the Philippines. Air Supply was positioned at number 48 in Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time" in 2020. The band continues to perform, record, and remain active in the music sector.