Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Graham Russell (left) and Russell Hitchcock of Air Supply perform at Air Supply in Concert, held at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy, Park Boulevard, New Kingston, on Sunday night. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

For a third time in Jamaica, Air Supply gave a breathtaking performance on Sunday night at The Gleaner-sponsored Air Supply in Concert, held at the C&W Golf Academy.

The air was full of anticipation as minutes after 10 p.m. the duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock hit the stage for an hour-and-a-half performance that had the women and some men in enraptured.

Some patrons eagerly rushed to the side of the stage to take pictures of the group, while the majority of fans took the more decorous route and stayed in their seats as they sang hit after hit opening with Close The Night followed by Even the Nights Are Better, Just As I Am and Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You).

Always enjoying closer interaction with fans Graham Russell soon interrupted their set saying, "Good night everyone, why are you so quiet? We're used to more noise, come on down to the front so that we can see you, this is a rock 'n' roll concert ... I want to see you."

The patrons needed no more invitation as they rushed to the front of the stage where they grabbed for the artistes, took pictures and swayed along to the music, often with closed eyes mouthing the words.

They continued with Chances Are as one fanatical woman at the front of the stage shouted, "Come bring me onstage lemme sing with you!" as she loudly sang off-key.

Energetic performance

They continued to thrill with an energetic performance of Goodbye, Faith In Love, and Power of Love, as Hitchcock went offstage for some minutes while Graham Russell sang The Future, a poignant song about him leaving home to pursue music.

The group continued to interact with the crowd in a question-and-answer segment and a zealous female shouted out a marriage proposal.

Hitchcock and Russell went into the crowd in opposite directions as the security worked hard to keep the women away from them.

The hits continued throughout the night as they did an encore performance of Nothing At All, as Russell said, "We've grown to love the people of Jamaica, we hope we can come back to play for you soon."

The group proved that after three performances in Jamaica, they can keep the momentum of their popularity going.

Extended set

Before Air Supply, Nicky Dillon from Montego Bay started the night with songs such as No No No and Me and Mr Jones, followed by One Third who over stayed their welcome with an extended set which cut short the performances of Bob Andy and A.J. Brown.

Bob Andy still managed to please with Too Experienced, Like Any Other Man and others. Brown proved he could sing opera with an Italian opera song as well as You Raise Me Up. At the end of the night, it was obvious the mothers had fun judging by the huge and contented smiles as they left the venue.

A.J. Brown