“Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” for 40 years
Some of the best things in life came out of the 70s, after all, that’s the decade I was born in. It was also the 1970s that gave birth to the hit rock band Air Supply, which formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 when singer Russell Hitchcock met guitar player and songwriter Graham Russell when they were both cast in an Aussie version of “Jesus Christ Superstar” that was being staged in Melbourne.
The band, whose chart topping hits “Making Love out of Nothing at all,” “Two Less Lonely People in the World,” “All out of Love” and many others will be stopping in South Florida for three shows the weekend of March 23-25. The duo, along with their band, will take the stage on Thursday, March 23 and Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. at Stage 954 at The Casino at Dania Beach. Then, they will close out the weekend on Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m. at Magic City Casino at the Magic City Amphitheater.
It was a pleasure to chat with Russell Hitchcock for this exclusive Hotspots interview.
You’ve been playing with Air Supply since forming the band back in 1975. Do you still get nervous when you go on stage?
I do. No one else does, but I get nervous for the first 15-20 minutes. I just like to make sure my voice is the way I want it to be and get a gauge on the audience and then I’m good to go, but yes I do still get stage fright.
Are you one of those singers who are quiet all day long, saving your voice? Or is it just ready to go when you have to sing.
No, when I’m on the road, I tend to keep to myself and spend as much time not speaking as possible. I read an article many years ago that I think was Barbra Streisand and she said something like “I go to sing and if it works, it works and if it doesn’t it doesn’t.” I am kind of in the same boat. I take much better care of myself than I did in years gone by but there is no special thing for me. I just try to eat as healthy as I can and get as much rest as I can and spend as much quiet time as I can before the show.
Who do you love in today’s hit music scene?
You know, I’m a dinosaur, I don’t listen to too much modern stuff but I think Adele is my favorite. Before her, I would go back to Cold Play. When I listen to music, which is very rare these days, I listen to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Queen, The Eagles, The Bee Gees. That’s what I listen to.
What can fans expect to see when you come to South Florida?
Obviously, we will be playing the songs that people expect to hear and cherish. Graham does a great solo during the show and we have two new songs that I don’t think audiences in Florida have heard before. We have dragged a song out that we haven’t played in years and years, so we expect a great response when our Florida fans see it. We have a great band, it’s a very energetic show, high energy. It’s very loud, it’s a rock and roll show. I keep getting this “soft rock” moniker which I can’t stand. It’s a great show, I’m as pleased as I’ve ever been with the show.
The show is open to all ages. Tickets range from $35-$90 per person. VIP tables are available for $500 and include seating for four. Tickets can be purchased online at www.casinodaniabeach.com, www.magicitycasino.com or by calling 844-234-SHOW.
