He still hits the notes. That’s the first thing anyone notices when they see Russell Hitchcock standing center stage in 2026. At 76 years old, the lead singer of Air Supply shouldn't realistically be able to soar into those glass-shattering tenors that defined the early eighties, but he does. It’s almost a defiance of biology. While most of his contemporaries from the soft-rock era have lowered their keys or retired to the golf course, Hitchcock is currently traversing the globe for the band’s 50th Anniversary Tour.
Honestly, it’s a bit surreal.
You’ve got a guy who started out as a salesman in Melbourne, met a British guitarist named Graham Russell during a production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1975, and accidentally created a sound that would dominate the Billboard charts for a solid decade. They weren't supposed to be cool. They were the kings of "soft rock," a label that critics often used as an insult. But if you look at the numbers, the "Airheads"—as the fans call themselves—got the last laugh. We’re talking about 100 million albums sold. We’re talking about tying a record held by The Beatles for seven consecutive top-five singles.
The Partnership That Never Broke
The most staggering thing about Russell Hitchcock isn't actually the high notes. It’s the fact that he and Graham Russell have never had a major fallout. In the world of rock and roll, that’s basically a miracle. You look at the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, or even Oasis—bands usually implode over ego, money, or creative differences.
Hitchcock has been very open about why it works. He doesn't write the songs; Graham does. Graham doesn't want to be the lead singer; Russell does. They stay in their lanes and respect the hell out of each other. They’ve gone through "hell and high water," as Russell put it in a recent interview, yet they still travel together on the same bus. Most bands at this level have separate dressing rooms and barely speak. Air Supply? They’re still like those two kids who used to check the backs of hotel sofas for loose change just to buy a loaf of bread back in the late seventies.
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The Voice: How Does He Still Do It?
If you’ve ever tried to sing "All Out of Love" in the shower, you know it’s a vocal minefield. Hitchcock’s range is naturally high, sitting in that rare countertenor/tenor territory. Critics often point to his performance on "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" as the gold standard. Jim Steinman, the legendary producer behind Meat Loaf, wrote that track specifically to push Hitchcock to his absolute limit.
How does he maintain it at 76? There’s no secret magic potion.
- Consistency: He performs nearly 130 shows a year. The vocal cords are muscles; he just never lets them atrophy.
- Lifestyle: He isn't the wild rock star of legend. He’s famously polite and low-key.
- Connection: Hitchcock says 90% of his show is about seeing the faces in the audience. If the lights are too bright and he can't see the fans, he feels disconnected. That emotional energy seems to fuel the physical performance.
He did have a scare with COVID-19 back in 2021, which forced a few show cancellations, but he bounced back with a vengeance. By the time 2025 rolled around, he was back to belting E5 notes that would make a twenty-year-old nervous.
Life Beyond the Power Ballad
Offstage, Russell Hitchcock lives a relatively quiet life in Los Angeles. He’s been married to his wife, Laurie, since April 2000. It’s a relationship that clearly anchors him. While Graham Russell spends his downtime on a ranch in Utah writing music, Hitchcock is the city dweller who enjoys the normalcy of a quiet dinner or a walk in nature.
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It's funny to think about. This is the man whose voice has been the soundtrack to countless weddings, breakups, and high school proms. He’s a global icon in places like Southeast Asia and South America, where Air Supply is treated with the kind of reverence usually reserved for royalty. Yet, he still describes himself as just a "regular guy."
He doesn't have his head "up his butt," to use his own words. His father taught him early on to be kind to people, and he’s carried that through five decades of fame.
Why Air Supply Still Matters in 2026
You might think a band from 1975 would be a nostalgia act, and sure, there’s plenty of nostalgia involved. But there’s something else happening. A new generation is discovering them through streaming and social media. There’s a sincerity in Hitchcock’s delivery that resonates in an era of over-processed, cynical pop music.
They aren't trying to be edgy. They aren't trying to follow trends. They just do what they do better than anyone else.
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As they celebrate their 50th year, the accolades are finally catching up to the commercial success. They recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and there’s even a biopic in the works. For Russell Hitchcock, though, the real prize seems to be the two hours he spends on stage every night.
Moving Forward with the Music
If you're looking to reconnect with his work or introduce someone to it, don't just stick to the "Greatest Hits" album.
- Check out the Life Support (1979) album. It's the bridge between their early Australian success and their global explosion. It has a rawer, more "band" feel than the slick Arista productions.
- Listen to his solo work, particularly the Tennessee: The Nashville Sessions (2011). It shows a different side of his voice, leaning into country and Americana roots.
- See them live. Seriously. If you want to see a masterclass in vocal health and stage presence, catch a date on the 50th Anniversary Tour.
The most important takeaway from Russell Hitchcock’s career isn't just about the music. It's about longevity through kindness and professional respect. In a world that constantly looks for the next new thing, he’s proven that being consistently great—and a decent human being—is the ultimate way to stay relevant. There’s no sign of him slowing down, and honestly, the world is a little more melodic for it.