Flight to Air Supply – From Pakistan To USA

Some called it insane, other say its obsession. But for me, it embarked a journey that would take me and my wife a year to plan and a huge load of finances. Though, in all honesty, it was not the only reason; yet, yes it was for me one of the primary. From Pakistan to United States – a distance of 7,067 miles (11,430 Kilometers) and travel time of straight 2 days – landing directly to see Air Supply perform at a concert – and celebrate with them their 40^th year as a band! 

But let me tell you why Air Supply and what is in their music that reaches to people such as me, coming from a country where one does not typically expect English music, so to say, to be recognized.

I was 6 when my father took me to a music store in Islamabad and I ran my fingers through a large piano that I could not barely reach hands to. My father picked me and sat me down. I played a tune that stuck to my head as a kid, probably because my dad had a mixed tape with “All out of Love” on it! And I remember playing the chorus and everyone in the store was surprised. 15 years later, at 21, I fantasized playing with the band as a pianist; and so, I got a small job and earned my first guitar and piano. Thereafter, there was no looking back. Air Supply being my core inspiration, and Graham being the master composer he is, I began following his lead – from playing the guitar, to following his composition style, and even writing songs; he was my guru. Reading this, please know that amongst other artists, I am also a big AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Tori Amos, Pakistan’s finest export Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; but that’s another article for another time.

I professionally started writing songs from a very early age, and years later I found myself on MTV, Indus and almost all leading channels of Pakistan playing my first song “Geet”. 

Air Supply is Truly Global

But here’s a fact!  Air Supply has been an inspiration to almost 4 generations with a career spanning 40 years. Typically people associate them with soft rock and mellow love songs; whereas I associate their music as classics timepiece, beautifully written and brilliantly executed. Again, doing what they do for 40 years is a testament that perhaps like The Beatles, Air Supply too surpasses the boundaries of time.
However, perhaps little do they themselves realize, The Beatles were only more popular in UK, USA and mostly where English was understood by the masses. Don’t get me wrong, they are undoubtedly legends. However, not a lot of people particularly in Asia relate to their music. With Air Supply, it’s EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE & ANYWHERE, be it Russia, Indonesia, China, Bangladesh, India, Georgia, Nepal, Bhutan, or even Pakistan. Here’s an example: before coming to the US, I went to my local barber and in between I told him about my plans to see Air Supply live! Upon hearing, he immediately started humming “Power of Love”. Yes, one may typically think Celine Dion; however, he only knew Air Supply. Now this dude did not even know how to speak English, but he knew their songs. He also knew “Lost in Love” and even the lesser known "Keeping the Love Alive". I asked him which other foreign artist does he know, and he replied in his 'desi' accent "Machal Jaskcon, bahi jaan" - translation: "Micheal Jackson bro". But this right there reaffirms my point. Perhaps, like Michael Jackson – Air Supply is probably the other rare act that that is TRULY world-wide. 

As a musician I have performed with many leading bands and have seen places and seen cultures. Everywhere I went, I found Air Supply to be present one way or the other. They are certainly more popular than what the popular US or European charts depict. It may surprise the band themselves, but in Asia, I have heard a lot of radio channels playing Mumbo Jumbo (their 17^th studio album). Even the FM89 channel in Pakistan played a few tracks. But how unfortunate really, the only last men standing are fewer in number now - and what we hear mostly on radio is plastic.  But that's again another article.

At The Event

I landed in Chicago and went to the event at the Mid-Summer Festival on 28th July, 15. I booked my Uber ride and went straight in. I was jet-lagged, and the 20,000 rather more people there, had set out their seats from 3:00 PM, I had no clue what was going on. I sat far at the right side almost out of the arena and I wasn’t happy about it. I had come too far and out to see them perform; I had to be somewhere better. So, I started roaming around; and at the extreme left of the stage, was a place where there were a few people standing. So, I stood there.

The lights went down and the guitar arpeggio starts. And just as the bass and drums kick-in, surprised I suppose, as most people expect a slow mellow performance; but Air Supply always has other plans! The concert starts ROCKING! And thereafter it just keeps building on. From the power charged Drums by Aviv Cohen, to the articulate bass lines by Jonni Lightfoot, heavy Electric leads by Aaron Mclain, accompanied by rocking piano by Amir Efrat;  and then the legends themselves – Sir Graham Russell on Acoustic/Electric/Vocals and Sir Russell Hitchcock powerful lead vocals. They sing their hearts out. One hell of a performance! Graham and Russell share a chemistry that would clearly be visible to a blind person. Where Graham controls the overall sound of the live band, Russell exhibits a lot of stage presence. I was on the awkward left of the stage; almost nearer to the backstage, and Russell would make sure no one is left feeling ignored - he even acknowledged us (a few 40 odd fellows; standing where we were). He acknowledged everyone; and it almost felt like he’s staring into each and every soul as he sings. Sweet Dreams and the remaining set could not have been sweeter!

The Perks of Being an Air Head

Right before "The One that You Love", I knew what was about to unfold. So I moved closer to the edge and towards backstage. Russell passed me and shook my hand. They went in the crowd, singing and shaking hands and paying tribute to their fans. But any die hard Air Head would know what it means when the guitar starts strolling to that particular tune.
So the great thing about being an Air Head (loyal fans of Air Supply), is that one knows what’s coming up next. It was like the entire song list was known to me even before the concert started. However, I did wish they played Someone (my fav) or some material from ‘Mumbo Jumbo’– that would have been icing on the cake! I did expect Power of Love however, that was off their list that day.

Meeting Graham Russell

But here’s the real deal! Right after the concert, I got a chance to meet Graham Russell and to sign a book for my wife Noor (or Princess Noor) as he candidly called her. My wife could not accompany me to the concert. I told Graham about my journey, and that truly has been an inspiration to me and how I was inspired by him to become a musician. He was genuinely interested to know about the Pakistani Music and I remember recommending him a few acts. Now that I recall, I could have told him something much more interesting, or have kept the conversation more interesting, however, I wasn’t really prepared to meet him and it was all rather sudden. I was dumbfounded.

But perhaps, I will meet them soon again someday or at Air Supply’s 50^th Anniversary concert – this time with my wife and two daughters.  

Peace & Love!

Umar Jamshed

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