Air Supply continued its summer tour of the East Coast with a stop in Ridgefield, CT. The old high school auditorium is home to great performers and Air Supply left an indelible impression on these Ridgefield residents! Located in a small community near Danbury, CT, this epicenter was just a short drive away for Airheads coming from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

On Friday night at Endicott, I think someone must have given Graham an extra shot of hop juice because he was jumping all over the stage. Tigger was bouncing so much that he almost fell over once when he lost his balance landing on one of his spins! I guess that same someone gave Russell a happy pill because for two days, he never stopped smiling. This may seem like a strange statement, but having been to more than a few shows, I can say that some performances are more fantastic than others. All Air Supply concerts are fabulous, but when a person’s energy level is outstanding, I think it’s worth noting.

I’ve previously commented on the performances of Jed, Mike and Jonni, so I think it’s only fair that I congratulate Russell and his performances on Friday and Saturday. I haven’t seen him smile or seem to enjoy performances this much since Laughlin’s shows last November. He’s always great on stage and I’ve never heard him miss a note. But there are moments when the notes are unbelievably pure, smiles wash away the sadness, and passion electrifies the room. Friday and Saturday were those moments and I congratulate and thank Russell for all he gives.

The set list on Ridgefield was similar to set lists of the past, and we were lucky enough to hear Graham sing three songs from The Future; The Future, Making You Mine and Lace and Leather. It’s been a while since I’ve heard Jed, Mike and Jonni perform Live and Let Die, and it was great to hear it again on Saturday. Added to the set All the Women of the World. Having listened to it on Friday night, I was hoping it would be added to the tracklist on Saturday so I could try and get a video clip out. It was, and I did.

The show on Saturday was relaxed and full of lightness. The audience knew every lyric of the song, every note, and they sang loud and in key. They were grateful, and many gave Air Supply their due respect with a standing ovation during many parts of the concert.

One of my favorite parts of the night was when the band left the stage and Graham and Russell talked about their early years in Australia. As they told some stories I hadn’t heard before, the audience laughed non-stop, enjoying a moment shared with two icons clearly instrumental to happiness in their lives.

As Graham started to tell us about how he and Russell used to play pizza parlors, he mentioned that every time he tells this story he can smell the cheese floating across the stage. He and Russell laughed, remembering the smell of grilled cheese.

Graham went on to talk about their very early start as musicians in Australia, telling the audience that they once opened for AC/DC. Graham said, “That’s when we wore white!” Russell, laughing, said they don’t do that anymore. Graham then commented that he believed that was how all the rumors started and he began to move on to another part of the story. But Russell quickly asked Graham, “What rumors?” Without listening to Russell, Graham said, “what?” and Russell repeated, “what rumors?” Still not listening to Russell, he said again, “What? I can’t hear you?” Russell then approached Graham and said, “What rumors are those?” and Graham laughed.

Graham later told us that the rumors were “so ridiculous… SO RIDICULOUS” that they don’t comment on them to justify them. He and Russell then got a good laugh along with the audience.

Graham started to move and then stopped and said he wanted to tell us something. He said, “This is not part of the show… but it is now.” He asked Russell if he remembered raffles or anything. Russell nodded and Graham told him to tell the story because he tells it so much better.

Russell started telling us that in the early days they used to play in the RSL (Returned and Services League, for Australian Veterans) in Australia. He gave us a little Aussie slang lesson and told us that Chook is slang for chicken. So he told us that they would have these chook giveaways at the RSL where they were playing. They’d be back in the hallway somewhere and “they’d be playing ‘lost in love and don’t know much’ and the PA would start and this girl would say ‘Number 47, you’ve won the chook raffle.’ Number 47 please come to the front. ‘

Graham, Russell and the audience were roaring with laughter at the way Russell told the story. It was hilarious! Russell then commented, “We don’t do that anymore” and Graham added, “We don’t go to raffles anymore.” Russell immediately quipped, “Only in Singapore,” to which Graham replied, “Oooh, one in a row!” I’m told Graham likes to make this comment when someone makes a joke… one in a row! Very funny! Graham then introduced us to Two Less Lonely People and everyone’s mood was high.

Unable to venture into the audience the night before in Endicott, New York, Graham and Russell made their way into the crowd, much to the delight of the fans. There were hugs and handshakes, and kisses and some hearts that turned over! The audience rallied at the end of the verse, and Air Supply received another standing ovation.

Air Supply rounded off the evening with the usual songs and the audience was in heaven. Russell told us how Air Supply was starting an extensive international tour including Japan and Europe and that they would only be home for two days before leaving for New York next week. He then extended an invitation to “come over” and we reached out. At one point I looked back into the auditorium and there was no one seated. Even the bosses in the balcony seats were on their feet. The public sang, thanked, applauded and loved.

He was sitting next to two women who frequently come to shows at the Ridgefield Playhouse. They came to see Air Supply because they liked them but also because they go to a lot of shows in their city. As we left the auditorium, I asked them how they liked the show, as they had previously commented on how wonderful Graham was, singing his songs from The Future. The two women were over the moon! They were on a real Air Supply rush. You all know what I mean! One of the women, LaVerle, commented that she was in love all over again… with Jed. She said that he was beautiful and that he was one of the most attractive boys she had ever seen! She said that if he was 20 years younger…he would be perfect for her! I reminded her that Air Supply would be at Mohegan Sun in two weeks and I think I convinced her and MaryAnn to come see our children again. Aim one for the good guys; I think we just added two new Airheads!

As always, thanks to Sparky, Brett, Moe, Nate, and Mark. Without them, where would we be? Thanks Russell, Graham, Jed, Jonni and Mike. You gave us two great shows in two nights and you should know that all your fans had an amazing time and can’t wait for you to show up in their cities again!

Health!