Air Supply, Clear Winner of the First Annual Rodney Dangerfield '80s Music Award
Sunday January 14, 2007
Aside from playing major roles in '80s pop culture and struggling for respectability, pop balladeers Air Supply and comic Rodney Dangerfield probably had about as much in common as Hitler and Captain Kangaroo. And even as Dangerfield used his quest for respect as his comic calling card of self-deprecation, Air Supply's excessive earnestness doomed them almost to the status of novelty act even in the group's heyday.
Now, I'm not going to try to convince you that the duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock deserves to be regarded as a cherished treasure of the era, but I will argue that the group is far more than the sum of its detractors. After all, the lofty accomplishment of racking up eight Top 5 pop singles during a three-year period is nothing short of remarkable if not virtually unprecedented. It may not have been cool to be an Air Supply fan 25 years ago, and that is certainly still the case today, but the syrupy love songs that are the duo's trademark continue to pull the heartstrings of fans worldwide. So even if you insist on doing so reluctantly, please join me in (respectfully) tipping our virtual hats to these worthy '80s hitmakers.
Comments
I was proud to call myself a fan 25 years ago and still am. I am among the many who attend their shows often and proud to be among those who call themselves Airheads. It’s ashame that the radio stations won’t play their more recent recordings because they are just as good as those released in the 80’s. And thank you acknowledging them with this award.
Syrupy may have been a word to describe Air Supply in the 80s but today they are nothing short of a great ‘rock’ band. None of the songs they perform live sound like the soft and sweet songs we grew up with. On the contrary, they are robust, full of life and spontaneity, and give every audience a reason to go out and buy another ticket as soon as they can!
Russell Hitchcock’s voice has matured over the years and is now, many would say, even better than it was back in the 80s. Graham Russell’s songwriting continues daily and he is always giving the audience something new to learn.
Air Supply has not stopped touring for the past 30 years and I challenge anyone to say they didn’t enjoy a concert that they attend in 2007! Russell and Graham make it loads of fun. They sing their hits that made them famous in the 80s but they add in other songs that didn’t get much radio play..but got TONS of play on our stereos! In addition, they seem to add new songs we have never even heard before.
What other groups go out into the audience while they are singing a song…shaking hands, hugging and kissing people, taking photos…often barely escaping mobs running up to them? What other bands have a ‘meet and greet’ after nearly every show ~~ to sign albums, shirts, photos, shake hands, give hugs, and allow themselves to be photographed with the fans?
Air Supply has been in it for the fans for all these years, and will continue to be so for a long time to come.
We look forward to new cds coming out this year from Graham Russell as well as Air Supply.
Expect to be amazed!
Check out my myspace for photos and video clips from the show.
GET TO A SHOW. Check out the tour schedule at http://www.airsupplymusic.com!!!
I first heard Air Supply in my living room when I was three years old. My mom had the Air Supply Live in Hawaii show on HBO and I sat there mesmerized! I watched Graham and Russell over and over and over. Even at three, I knew all those songs and walked around singing them at the top of my lungs.My mom and sister are huge fans of Air Supply too, and I was able to see my first live Air Supply concert in 1993 at the State Fair…I was a mere 12 years old. Talk about a dream!
More recently, I started attending shows in 2006. I saw Air Supply at three different venues, and each gets better and better! I have plans to see them at least 10 more times this year and CAN’T WAIT!!
I absolutely love their music and the guys make the shows so much fun each and every time. They sing the songs I grew up with and make me yearn for the new songs yet to come! Russell and Graham are amazing singers and songwriters, and I will be singing their songs and attending their shows for as long as I can!
This year marks my 7-year old daughter’s first Air Supply concert. She is as excited as me and cannot wait to meet Graham and talk to him. Both she and my son know all the words to their music and watch their dvds daily! From generation to generation Air Supply stands the test of time.
I am old enough not to care what is “cool” and I am proud to be an Air Supply fan. Anyone who thinks they are too soft and syrupy needs to get to a show. These guys rock!
A big congratulations for receiving this award. Air Supply is truly amazing. I am extremely proud to call myself an “Airhead”. I am only 27 years old and I feel pretty ‘cool’ telling my friends how much I enjoy going to their shows and playing their music. They are an exceptional band that has put out one outstanding song after another. There songs have stood the test of time and they continue to ‘rock’ year after year. Syrupy is not a word I myself would use to describe their work, and for anyone who thinks so, I challenge you to purchase tickets next time they are at your local venue. You will be amazed.
They are full of energy and completely rock out at every show. They never disappoint. They are extremely grateful to their fans for the support, as they show it by having a meet and greet at nearly every show, making sure every fan waiting gets an autograph and photo ops.
They are truly amazing people and definetly deserved this award. Hats off to Russell and Graham! I will be going to shows at every opportunity that arises for me. Thank you guys for 30+ years of sharing your gifts and talent with the world.
I am a fan of air supply for more than 25 years.And will continue to be a fan for the rest of my life.If you haven’t been to a concert just go and see them you will not be dissapointed.Their music is wonderful and they are great to their fans.They rock. Looking forward to many more years of their music. Thanks for always being their.
Air Supply is the best band EVER!!! I’m a MAJOR Airhead for LIFE!!!
Air Supply and their music have endured the test of time. After 31 years their music is still as fresh and new as it was in the 80’s. 22 albums later and they are still producing new and exciting music. 2007 will see Graham Russell’s first solo album….in addition to a new studio album with Russell Hitchcock and the rest of the band. Each show is new and exciting.
They are the most fan accessable group I know of. The Meet & Greet after the shows allow everyone to meet, get pictures and have items signed by the whole band. This is an experience one should not miss. Don’t hesitate to go to a concert if they come to your area.
You will NOT be disappointed.
I have been a fan for over 27 years now and have never been ashamed of it! I love the music and am proud to tell the world what wonderful people Russell and Graham are! They not only love what they do, but they do it incredibly well and have never stopped doing it, unlike most of the bands that have come and gone over the years.
They also genuinely love the fans and make themselves available for autographs and photos whenever possible, making them more special and more accessable than any other band I know of.
If you haven’t been to a concert, I HIGHLY recommend going. The high energy and pure feeling of love and magic that surround these gentlemen is nothing short of amazing!!!!
Nothing is better than Air Supply for 80’s music, 90’s music and 2000’s music. They have grown and changed with the times, but have remained true to their original purpose and Raison d’etre.
Air Supply consistently performs their many new songs (my favorite is “Miracles”), along with the many, long-time favorites.
I don’t know any other band that appeals to all ages like Air Supply does. Now, what could be better than that?
Wow! All my friends are here!
Air Supply rocks. This is a great band and not only are they the masters at the romantic ballad but they have many songs dealing with nature, spirituality and just basic human emotion.
If that’s syrup…then make me some pancakes.