Early Fan Days Stories . . .

By Teresa from Michigan:

My story about early Air Supply is one in which Graham and Russell expressed
kindness to two kids from rural northeastern Ohio. It actually involves two
separate stories...well, three, if you count my story when I lived in
Australia as an adult! I have told these stories many, many times over the
years, and it is always a delight to share them with others. I hope readers
here enjoy them, too.

I first heard of Air Supply in 1978-79, when the single "Lost in Love" first
broke into the U.S. charts. I clearly remember playing with my toys as a young
child when "Lost in Love" came on the radio. I later bought the "Lost in Love"
LP and fell in love with it. That album is still one of my all-time favorite
albums.

In the summer of 1981, they were making their second American tour to promote
their "Lost in Love" album. At that time, the band was just becoming familiar
to many American listeners and they were relatively accessible at their
concerts. We saw the band play at the "Front Row Theater" in the Cleveland
area. The theater, which is no longer in operation, was an intimate venue. At
the center of the concert hall was a circular stage that turned while the band
played. I still remember that a comedian opened for the band and the momentum
just built. I don't remember too much of the concert, but they performed hits
off their "Lost in Love" album and previewed some songs from the "One That You
Love" LP. They closed the album with "My Best Friend."

After the concert, my fun-loving father asked both of us (I was 8 and my
sister was 14) if we wanted to meet the band. Of course, we said yes! Who
wouldn't want to meet a rock band?! So, we wandered around until we found the
door to their dressing rooms. A small group of other older teenage fans was
waiting out there. I remember that one woman had a stuffed koala bear and
asked them to open the door to get their gift. They talked to the band through
the door. A few bodyguards were hanging out there with us. Suddenly, the door
swung open and AS invited us all inside!

I remember walking through the hallway, passing some dressing rooms with
bright lights. The hallway led to a back lounge with a small bar. There, right
on front of our eyes, was AS and their significant others sitting around on
couches and at tables. We couldn't believe it!

My sister and I slowly made our way around the room, getting autographs and
chatting with the band members. I will never forget the kindness of Ralph
Cooper, who plopped me on his lap and chatted with me. He kissed my sister and
me on the cheek. When I met Russell, I was sooooooo nervous. I really looked
up to him. My sister told him, "My little sister knows how to list all of your
songs by memory!" Barely catching my breath, I proudly recited the titles to
all of the AS songs that I knew. Russell smiled and held out his hands to sign
my concert program. I was so nervous that all I could stammer out was, "You
should make a movie!" It is hilarious to think of this scene now!

I remember that there was a big thunderstorm on the drive home. My sister and
I were in a daze and we swore we'd never wash our faces from Ralph's kiss! I
still have that signed concert program.

The next story takes us to a full year later, in 1982. I saved up my money for
several months to join the AS fan club. After sending the money and form away,
I did not hear anything for months. During that summer, my sister suggested
that we write the band about the situation. So, we decided to write Russell a
letter. I helped dictate the letter as my sister wrote how we were fans and
were really disappointed that we never heard back from the fan club. She
explained that I was a young girl and was a big fan.

Now, I am honestly not making this up: we put the letter in an envelope and
addressed it as "Russell Hitchcock, Sydney, Australia" and included our return
address.

Months later, I still remember the day my father brought home the letter from
the post office. We actually received a handwritten reply from Russell.
This is still incredulous to me because I later lived in Australia and know
the odds of Russell actually getting the letter were amazing.

In his letter, Russell apologized for the situation, explained that they were
having trouble with their managers and financial problems, and promised to
send me a special gift. I don't remember much else about the letter. My
sister, actually, still has it among her most treasured belongings. I'm sure
that it will be passed down in our family.

My final story occurs when I lived in Australia in the late 1990s. I briefly
met David Moyse, who is now a well-known Christian musician and evangelist in
Australia. I had the privilege of sharing these stories with him and telling
him how I touched my sister and I were by their kindness. I told him that I
would always be a loyal fan because not many famous rock bands would reach out
to two little Ohio girls like Air Supply did. He said that he was flattered,
but that it also didn't surprise him because the band really cared about their
fans.

Someday, I hope to thank Graham and Russell in person. Thank you for taking
the time to read these memories. It was a pleasure sharing them again.

Dr. Teresa Heinz Housel