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Air Supply's secret to career longevity: Surround yourself with good people
Entertainment
Celebrities
Air Supply's secret to career longevity: Surround yourself with good people
Air Supply's secret to career longevity: Surround yourself with good people
Published Dec 11, 2025 12:29 pm
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply (Facebook)
For many artists, staying together for five decades is no easy journey — there are bound to be ups and downs and moments of rejection. But for Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell, the artists behind the soft rock duo Air Supply, these hurdles only strengthened the bond they’ve built over the years.
"From my point of view, I would say make sure that you surround yourself with good people. Good, honest people. Because there are many pitfalls for a new act, but I would say make sure to do your homework with whoever you work with. We have been with the same manager for 50 years, the same agent for 48 years, because they're great people and they know what they're doing," Russell said during a recent virtual press conference with the Philippine media.
As the duo’s primary songwriter, Russell emphasized that creating music requires authenticity, individuality, and confidence. "They should follow their heart and not listen to other people. Don’t do something that’s already been done. Create something new.”
Having been in the music industry for many years, the Australian duo shared that the dynamics they had before have not changed to this day.
"Graham gets to write the songs, and I just sing them. The way we look at the world, and the way we look at our music has matured since we started in the early days, yet the dynamic has always been the same. We just got better at what we do in a live show and recording in the studio," Russell shared.
From touring to different places and sharing their music with the audience, Graham shared funny advice that kept him and Russell pumped up every concert.
"Have a cup of tea, get plenty of rest, drink lots of water. That's about it, really. Don't get drunk, and the rest is up to God," he said.
Air Supply blasted the music scene with the song Love and Other Bruises in 1976. But it was in 1979 that they became phenomenal with the worldwide hit "Lost In Love." They followed it with other monster hits such as All Out of Love, Every Woman In The World, The One That You Love, Keeping the Love Alive, Sweet Dreams, Even The Nights Are Better, Two Less Lonely People In The World, Making Love Out of Nothing At All, Just As I Am, and more. Indeed, the musical duo has become unstoppable on the music charts.
Returning to the Philippines in early 2026 for their monumental 50th Anniversary World Tour, Russell and Graham couldn't hide their excitement at the prospect of performing again for their fans.
"Filipinos are people with open hearts. They appreciate us being there. You have lots of great singers; they sing along at our shows, and that’s always a good thing to hear as a performer. The Philippines took us to their hearts as early as the ’80s. Our audience got bigger. It’s a fantastic thing, and it’s a very specific thing to the Philippines. Wonderful people, wonderful energy, very romantic," Russell said.
"When we play to any Filipino audience or the entire Filipino population in the US, they sing loudest and more in tune than anybody else… There’s a definite connection with this country and our fans certainly,” Graham added.
Air Supply's 50th Anniversary Concert will take the stage in Iloilo on Jan. 11; Calamba, Laguna, on Jan. 24, and in Cebu on Jan. 27. Ticket prices range from PHP 3,500 to PHP 12,800 and will be available via SISTIC and SM Tickets.