Air Supply and locals well received

hitchcock

Air Supply and locals well received
5/21/2013
            By Kerri Gooding


Air Supply lead singer Russell Hitchcock (left) seen here rocking it out with one of the band’s talented guitarists on Sunday at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium.

　　From the first note of some songs people were on their feet, some swayed along, many clapped along, numerous snapped photos and almost all sung along to hit after hit by Air Supply.

　　However, though they were the headliners, even Air Supply tipped their hats to Barbadian pop band Nexcyx. Air Supply lead-singer Russell Hitchcock said, “They rocked big time.” While other local opening acts who were backed by opening band and opening act Nexcyx hailed their talent as the best.

　　Air Supply was all that their fans expected and for some even more as both Hitchcock and lead-singer and guitarist Graham Russell left the stage to embrace, shake hands and greet fans directly. Having been together since the mid 1970s, Air Supply had a slew of love songs which had the romantics screaming and cheering.
Hits such as ‘Even the nights’, ‘Just as I am’, ‘Here I am’, and ‘Chances’ were performed during their hour-set. When they sung their hit ‘Power of Love’ which has been covered by artistes such as Celine Dion, many people whispered, “Is that their song? I didn’t know they sung this too”. Then many younger persons were in shock when they belted out the lyrics to their track ‘Every woman’ which was featured on a highly popular movie released in 2010 ‘You Again’.

　　Singing other hit love songs, the duet and their talented band of musicians had members of the crowd running to the stage to shake hands. One member of the audience was lucky enough to have Russell stop playing his guitar and serenade her with ‘Dance with me’ even twirling her around to the delight of the crowd.

　　Fully intending to bring the curtain down on their first show in Barbados since previously visiting and performing some 14 years ago, Air Supply sang ‘Goodbye’, only to be beckoned back on stage for an encore performance. Fans rushed stage front to hear them as they gave them one last huge hit ‘All out of Love’.

　　The night was hailed excellent by many of the hundreds of all ages present. They loved from the opening strings of Bruno Mars ‘Walked out of Heaven’ by Nexcyx who even wished all mothers a deserving though belated Happy Mother’s Day as they sung ‘Queen’, and thanked everyone for all the success their support has brought to date. Tamara Marshall brought her originals pleading for more love and a revolution, ending with John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’. Then closing out the local aspect of the highly anticipated show was Marissa Lindsay who gave a stellar performance showcasing why she can boast of being the vocal coach of the likes of Livvi Franc and Vita Chambers. With her vocal talent she performed renditions from her albums ‘Deeper Love’ and ‘Life’. Forming a powerhouse trio: Mahalia Phillips-Cummins of Nexcyx, Marshall and Lindsay received a resounding applause for their cover of Lady Marmalade. Both the foreign act and the local act was pleased with the attendance and turnout by Barbadians to make the night memorable.            

hitchcock