Graham and Russell released their multi-platinum Greatest Hits album in 1983, which featured the hit single , "Making Love Out of Nothing At All". The song ascended to the #2 position on the Billboard charts, where it remained for two weeks. The success of the album launched a worldwide Greatest Hits tour, taking Air Supply to nearly every continent. Ask any Air Supply fan who has seen the duo in concert, and they will tell you that’s its hard not to notice what a good time the band members have on stage, between themselves, and interacting with the audience. Russell makes it a habit to choose a couple of women in the audience to sing to, and that connection spreads to those around them. The audience responds, and the good times begin. "We’ve always been real close to audiences," Russell says. "We like to be involved as much as possible, you know." While concert goers enjoy 90 minutes of the music they love so much, they, in return, give something irreplaceable to the band. "No money could buy the feeling we get seeing people singing the words to our songs, or people hugging in our audience because the songs have meant something to their relationship," says Graham. "That’s an incredible feeling to achieve!"
The energy generated from Air Supply concerts has been captured on video, with "Air Supply in Hawaii", a 1983 performance recorded at the Neil Blaisdell arena in Honolulu. The band has also recorded "Now and Forever: Greatest Hits Live", which was released in the summer of 1996. Travelling from concert to concert tends to take its toll on musicians, Air Supply included. In the early years, being on the road meant late nights and partying to escape the pressures of a grueling schedule. "You can get very lonely while out on tour, even though people think you’re in the thick of it" said Graham. "You may be in front of 10,000 people for 90 minutes, but then you’re back in your hotel room or on the tour bus. It’s really not very glamouous."
These days, Graham and Russell are taking better care of themselves, eating well and staying fit while on the road. In fact, they will often stretch their legs on the tennis court, as soon as the bus pulls into a hotel. Both believe that it is essential to be in good physical and mental condition while touring to avoid burnout. Because time spent performing just does not compare to the cumbersome hours spent travelling, the band attempts to make the tour bus as comfortable as home. In their house on wheels, Graham and Russell tend to read a lot of books, spend quiet time thinking, and watching the latest video releases. Graham does find time to do some writing, but it’s too hectic to do a substantial amount.
Air Supply has travelled over one million highway miles to entertain their audiences, but has had a limited number of bad experiences. "I once fell off a stage in Minneapolis", says Russell. "The sound system was on a different part of the stage, which was very unusual. I noticed a gap on the stage at first, but missed it later and fell ten feet onto the concrete. I broke my wrist, bruised my ribs..not to mention my ego."
Although Air Supply has achieved multi million record sales and the adoration of fans all over the world, it is still important for the band to continue ambitious concerts tours. "It’s crazy, but we’re addicted to the stage, and performing for our fans", says Russell. "We’d do just about anything so we can have the chance to perform."
Source: www.geocities.com/airsupply_as
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário