Words and Photography by: Mazie Wolf
Editing by: Phillip Gutgesell
All I can say is: inspiring.
For Air Supply, 51 years of friendship, creativity, and music have created something truly special. Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock are creative geniuses in their own right, but together, they have built a musical partnership that continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
On August 29, Air Supply brought their A Matter of Time Tour to Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City. The tour comes alongside their forthcoming album A Matter of Time, their first studio album in 14 years. The first single, “A Matter of Time,” was released in July, followed by “Can We Say I Do” just one day before the Atlantic City show. (Air Supply)
51 Years of Friendship
The story of Air Supply really begins with Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock meeting in 1975 while performing in the Australian touring company of Jesus Christ Superstar. They happened to sit next to each other, started talking, realized how much they had in common, and eventually began writing music together. (Air Supply)
Graham told the story during the show, joking that there were 34 members of Jesus Christ Superstar and this guy with an Afro took the only seat left next to him.
That seat ended up changing both of their lives.
What struck me most was hearing that after 51 years together, they have never had a fight. That friendship really is key to Air Supply.
I was raised on Jesus Christ Superstar, among many other great musicals, and I truly believe that musical background is part of what makes Air Supply so enjoyable to me. Their songs have that same theatrical feeling to them big ballads, dramatic melodies, and music that feels like it is meant to tell a story.
The Performance
When the performance began, the energy was unmatched.
Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell looked fantastic, especially in their incredible costumes, and their voices sounded healthy and strong. After all these years, the talent that made Air Supply famous is still completely there.
The band was amazing too. The 2026 touring lineup includes Mirko Tessandori on piano, keyboards and vocals, Doug Gild on bass, Pavel Valdman on drums, and cellists Jessika Soli and Kat Findlay. Mirko, who also serves as the band’s musical director, is from Tuscany, Italy. (Air Supply)
The cellists were especially cool. They even had a duel with their illuminated cello bows that looked like lightsabers. It was such a fun addition to the show.
I loved watching the musicians interact onstage. It wasn’t simply about hearing the songs—it was about watching an entire group of talented artists bring them to life.
I also loved watching the iconic 1980s music videos accompanied by their singing today. It was almost miraculous to take a trip back to that era while experiencing these songs live in the present.
A Look Inside Graham Russell’s Creative Process
At one point, Russell took a break and Graham took over the stage. He immediately joked, “I can do anything I want,” before speaking candidly to the audience about Air Supply, songwriting, and his creative process.
He told us that people may not know that he also writes poetry and shared a beautiful poem called “Waves.”
It was a really special moment to get an inside look at Graham’s creative process and see another side of him beyond Air Supply’s music.
There was also a hilarious moment when Graham referred to the “G-spot” section of the audience, which had everyone laughing.
Graham also talked about the positive message Air Supply has always tried to give through their music.
“Ever since we began we have tried to give a positive message.”
And:
“Whatever you’re doing, don’t give up.”
When he introduced “A Matter of Time,” he explained that they know people enjoy that sentiment, saying, “We know that people enjoy that sentiment and this song is that: A Matter of Time.”
The Audience Becomes Part of the Show
The audience was just as enthusiastic.
I sat next to a couple, and the woman, who was close to my age, was singing every lyric with so much passion. It was impossible not to notice how much these songs still mean to people.
Then, about five songs before the end of the performance, the audience completely took over the moment.
Fans began making their way toward the stage, and soon people were standing near Graham and Russell, singing, taking pictures, and engaging with the band. Everyone seemed so happy to simply be there and experience the moment.
It didn’t feel disruptive. It felt like a celebration.
“Without You”
Then came my favorite moment of the entire night.
Air Supply performed their cover of “Without You,” originally written and recorded by Badfinger and famously made into a major hit by Harry Nilsson. Air Supply’s version has always been one of the songs that really gets me, and hearing it live was incredibly emotional. (Air Supply)
I sang every lyric.
And I cried.
There is something about that song that just hits me. Hearing Russell sing it live, surrounded by hundreds of people singing along, made it feel completely different than simply listening to it through headphones.
Eventually, my mom came up and danced with me.
That made the moment even more special to me. I was already emotional, and suddenly I was standing there singing one of my favorite songs with my mom dancing beside me. It is one of those little concert moments that I know I will remember.
For me, “Without You” was more than just another song in the set. It was the moment of the night.
All Out of Love
And then they ended with “All Out of Love.”
It was perfect.
After 51 years together, Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock still have the ability to make a room full of people sing, dance, laugh, cry, and remember.
Their music has lasted because the emotions behind it have lasted.
Air Supply may have started their story more than five decades ago, but watching them perform in Atlantic City made one thing very clear: they are still creating, still performing, and still giving their audience something to believe in.
Maybe that really is a matter of time.
Want to see Air Supply for yourself? Catch them on the A Matter of Time Tour as they continue through cities across the country and beyond.
It's hard to believe that "A Matter of Time" is Air Supply's first studio album of all-new songs since their previous album in 2010. But it was totally worth the wait...it's a terrific album! They still sound great and there are some very strong tracks on the album! Hope they continue to write and record! A Matter of Time is out now on streaming and vinyl, and hopefully soon, the CD.