Airsupply: ‘We’ve become part of the Filipino DNA’

CEBU, Philippines — Live from the Florida Theater in the United States, Air Supply will stream its very first global virtual concert dubbed “Love Letters” on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 15 in the Philippines) via airsupplymusic.com, where the soft rock band will not only showcase their most-requested hits, they will also debut two new songs and read through love letters sent by fans.

Composed of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock, the beloved duo behind such hits as “All Out Of Love,” “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All,” “Lost In Love,” “Two Less Lonely People,” “I Can Wait Forever,” “The One That You Love” and “Just As I Am” among many others, asked fans to send them letters meant for their loved ones which they will read out on stage.

“I think it’s a great idea and we’re thinking of doing it more often because it’s a perfect medium for us,” Russell told the Philippine press in a virtual conference.

Calling the two new tracks “pretty cool,” Russell said they can’t wait to introduce it to the world for the first time and see how these will evolve over time.

“The first time you play it, it’s the way it was incarnated but over the next six months both songs will change a little bit,” the singer-songwriter and guitarist added. “I think they’re gonna enjoy it very much.”

The Zoom interview with Air Supply was meant to talk about Iñigo Pascual’s remake of their classic hit “All Out of Love,” a part of Tarsier Records’ Air Supply Reimagined Project that will be spread out this 2021 and then compiled into an album by the end of the year. “Idol Philippines” finalist Miguel Odron is working on his remake of “Lost in Love,” which Hitchcock called his favorite amongst all their hits as it began their career worldwide.

Released Feb. 5 on digital platforms, Iñigo’s version of “All Out of Love,” produced by Moophs, was repeatedly commended by Air Supply for its “great production and sound.”

“It’s nice to hear different production values to a song that’s so iconic. With Russell and I, we have become the song now. It would be unusual for us to sing it a different way. It’s nice to hear somebody that can sing it a different way and feel really comfortable with it. I don’t think we could sing it this way,” said Russell, referring to Iñigo’s take. “It’s out of our generation for a start.”

Hitchcock said he has been singing “All Out of Love” since 1978, yet it never gets tired and old for the Australian vocalist. Every night they perform the ballad on stage remains special for him and for younger generation of singers to remake it is among the highest forms of flattery.

For Russell, remakes mean the song is transcending generations and now “there’s gonna be millions more that will hear it that haven’t heard it yet.”

“It’s like a relay race, another generation is carrying it on. It’s also a great responsibility because really the song belongs to the world now so you’re taking on the mantle. Inigo is a young artist so he’s got his whole career in front of him and that’s really cool. We’ve always tried to be role models for people around the world and I think Inigo is gonna be the same role model for the next generation.”

Noting how “All Out of Love” has been remade 150 times or more, Russell said that is a small number compared to other great songs. Still, it is a great testament to the power of his composition.

“And I don’t mean that in any egotistical way. I’ve always loved this song,” he shared. “There are some songs like ‘Yesterday’ by the Beatles, I think it’s been covered a thousand times. When we’re not around anymore, we hope the song keeps being heard. That’s the greatest thing you can hope for in your career.”

That their songs still resonate to audiences today, Hitchcock gave all the credit to Russell’s writing genius. “It’s all about the song and we’re very lucky to have Graham as a songwriter because the songs we’ve recorded will live forever. We once did an acoustic version of some of our hits which is one guitar and two voices. They sound amazing because they’re amazing songs.”

He also thinks it’s important that artists who do remakes don’t stray too far from the original as they strive to stamp their own spin to it.

“I’ve seen acts for many years where I didn’t know what they were singing because how they rearranged it, I couldn’t recognize it. The fact that it’s true to its essence and the way Graham wrote it is another great tribute to the song. That’s the way I wanna hear it.”

To be considered industry legends and an inspiration to younger, emerging acts isn’t one Air Supply takes lightly.

“We are conscious that people listen to our music all over the world so we have to be responsible,” said Russell. “That’s why we never do anything that’s really weird on stage. We’re not those kind of people. We’re into the music and making great music. The fact that younger people now are interested and they see it as new, that’s the greatest legacy we could ever leave behind.”

But then again, “Not that we’re going anywhere by the way,” he quipped before letting out a laugh. Air Supply in fact began new shows in Florida last weekend. They will return to the road in April.

Russell believes they are particularly huge in the Philippines because Filipinos, he observed, are very emotional and passionate.

“A lot of them are great singers, a lot of them are musicians so they respect great songs. I think we first came to the Philippines in 1980 or ’81 so we’ve been around for a long time and we’ve become part of the Filipino DNA. We love the Filipinos and they love our music. It’s a great pairing, like wine and cheese.”

Hitchcock, whose most unforgettable memory in his trips to the country was being able to visit General McArthur’s quarters (“big thrill for me”), offered that he’s not being patronizing when he says Filipinos can sing better than most people in the world.

“Everybody can sing without a doubt. I’ve been to hotels in the Philippines and went down to have a cup of tea in the bar and hear people singing in the lounge. They’re awesome. Obviously the guy in Journey [Arnel Pineda], in my opinion, is the biggest thing. Sounds like Steve Perry, even better. So that’s a testament to the vocal prowess of the Filipinos.”

Another reason why Filipinos will always be close to their hearts? “At every single one of our shows – everywhere – it doesn’t matter where it is, whether it’s in Boise or Barcelona, there is always a large contingent of Filipinos. At every single show. And Russell and I say to each other ‘Where do they come from?’ It’s incredible! I’ve never seen people that can sing so well and so often.”

Between the two, the pandemic has been particularly harder for Hitchcock, who is based in Los Angeles, as stay-at-home rules deprived them of their time on the road for the past 10 months.

“We live for the stage and the road, so it’s been very difficult for me because I don’t write songs. Graham does something creative every day,” he shared. “I watch TV.”

Russell, on his end, has been as productive as ever. He continues to write songs every day, as he’s done for over 50 years. He finished penning a musical that will be out in June. He also took to playing the piano again.

“It’s my life. When I wake up, that’s the first thing I think about – after I’ve had a cup of tea of course. I like to keep busy,” he said.

“I have a grand piano in my studio and for a long time I was playing synthesizers and guitars. But the last few months I’ve been writing songs on the acoustic piano which has just been really nice because it’s got my dexterity up. I’ve lost a lot weight. In fact I haven’t turned on my synthesizers for 12 months. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been a different treat.”