Air Supply
Live From
Buffalo Bills
Star of The Desert Arena
Primm Valley Casino Resorts
Primm, Nevada
Photo's and Story By Tom Bryant
Air Supply. When you think of Air Supply you think of 70's and 80's love songs, sad songs, songs that tugged at your heart. Well, keep that train of thought and get ready for some rock and roll.
Celebrating their 35th year together, Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell met way back when they were both in Sydney Australia for rehearsals for "Jesus Christ, Superstar", and the rest is history.
Russell and Graham teamed up again at Buffalo Bills at the Primm Valley Casino Resorts at Primm, Nevada this past weekend at the "Star of the Desert Arena" and turned it into an "electrifying" evening as only the "Star of The Desert Arena" can do.
I have visited past events at the "Star of The Desert Arena" and have always experienced fantastic music, hospitality and acts that the average family can afford and enjoy and "Air Supply" was no different.
I had heard and followed the band back in the 70's and 80's and a lot of their songs had meant a lot to me, lost loves, military service, homecoming and such. Expecting this trip down memory lane I was ready for the soft mellow love songs of the past.
What I got was a great surprise, the songs were all there, the lyrics were the same but the energy on stage that night was nothing short of "electrifying".
From the opening moments of this concert, it was nothing short of "great".
As the audience settled in and waited for the house lights to go down anticipation was alive and well.
Finally, as the house lights went down, the stage lights came alive and music started to blare out of the speaker system to what sounded like an old AM radio being tuned to different channels, static and all and it was realistic enough to get your attention. Finally, the channel locked to a song that caused the audience to come to their feet, it was Air Supply.
At that moment, the band, led by Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell came to the stage and the noise was deafening.
For 90 minutes Russell and Graham performed their hits with a rock and roll tone that was as good as any I have heard in a very long time. The added rock and roll lead guitar was "awesome" and the drummer set the stage, carried the beat, and grabbed your attention while Russell and Graham danced and moved about the stage and never missed a beat. No breaks, no intermission, just rock and roll mixed with chart topping hits.
The light show was "huge" and perfectly choreographed to each song performed. The sound system was fine tuned as the audience couldn't be contained. They danced to the music, they sang, clapped their hands and swayed their arms in sync to such hits as "Lost in Love, All Out of Love, The One That You Love, Sweet Dreams and Making Love Out of Nothing at All".
I found by accident that the music crossed international and cultural boundaries. I sat next to Jose and Luis who later told me through an interpreter that they were from Mexico and that they had traveled to Primm Valley to see "their group". Jose and Luis had a very hard time speaking English through all of their excitement but they could sing every song and never missed a word, I ought to know, I sat next to them as they sang along to each song.
I spoke with Maria and Alejandro Penanota who had driven to Primm from Adelanto, California who could only say, "Outrageous" when asked how they felt about the concert they had just seen. Alejandro told me how "Air Supply" is loved by the Hispanic community and "their songs make me cry" as Alejandro tapped his chest near his heart.
"Amazing" said Berlynda Bevacqua of Orange County, "refreshing and kick ass" said Jimmy Taylor from San Diego. "Great for an older band, the new music and the sound was great" said Taylor's companion Monica from National City. "I expected an older band but what I got was totally now", Jimmy added.
Young and old alike they filled the Star of the Desert Arena. Filling the floor near the stage the audience sang loudly and praised the band they had all known for so long. The band responded with hand shakes and finished the concert with an encore that was a great send off for the packed house.
This is a band that you really want to see. If you followed them in the 70's and 80's or even if you didn't, get together with friends and loved ones and go see "Air Supply", you will not be disappointed.
The Primm Valley Casino Resorts at Primm, Nevada continue to pull out all of the stops which made this concert a memorable one for "The AV Entertainment Weekly".
From the fine professional Buffalo Bills Security force led by their Supervisor Charlie Rand, to the hotel staff, you cannot find a more friendlier and safe place to hang your hat for the weekend.
Buffalo Bills at Primm Valley Casino Resorts continues to host concerts and acts that could play in Los Angeles, Chicago or New York but they book them at the "Star of The Desert Arena" so that folks like Alejandro and Jimmy can enjoy them and relax at a great hotel. You want first class entertainment in today's econoimics? Buffalo Bills delivers.
A special thanks to Shayna, Charlie, Kala, Roger and CBS.
The AV ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
Primm Valley Nevada, Live Entertainment
The Best Concert Reviews for your money
Air Supply
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock electrify the audience
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock rocking The Star of The Desert Arena
Russell Hitchcock, Vocals
Graham Russell, Guitar and Vocals
