Review by Devoted2as:
Wow!

Living in Florida is different than living in Iowa, like we used to do. Up in Iowa we had blizzards, but here in Florida we have hurricanes, and three of them were lingering around Florida recently, but not anticipated to hit. Thank goodness, because my husband and I didn't want anything to keep us from the Air Supply show in Ybor City in Tampa, on Friday night, August 21, 2009. I hadn't seen Air Supply live since 2005 at the Aventura, FL show; and my husband hadn't seen them live since the Iowa State Fair show in 1982. He remembered however that Air Supply was "big" and was the group that first used laser lighting and were on the cutting edge of technology and music.
But guess what? A hurricane did hit after all. Oh yes, and it was named Air Supply, and it blew us away! Darn right, we were, along with an audience of at least 700 fans, quickly swept away by them and we haven't recovered even yet. Believe me.

Let me tell you all about it, as I can recall. My husband and I drove down our county in pouring rain and across the bridge to Tampa to the Ritz Theater in Ybor City. We had never been to this venue before, but it was easy to find and the free valet parking was a super deal for us. The weather there remained nice for the rest of the evening. However, I was glad this was my first indoor venue for seeing Air Supply because the first show I was at, Jannus Landing, in 2003 got cold and the second at Aventura ended half way though because of rain coming down in buckets. No chance of any of that here.
There was a long line for tickets at the Ritz, but I had ordered ours over the internet through TicketMaster and had the print-outs in my hand, so we could go right in. Security was tight, one guy was grinning broadly while taking my unopened bottle of water away. I offered it to that security guard to drink, and he said, "Gee, thanks." LOL.

I told my husband I had no idea of what kind of seats we'd be getting, but turns out ours were only about 5 or 6 rows back from the front and on an aisle which my husband appreciates. I noticed we were on Russell's side. Since I no longer had my bottle of water to drink, when a waiter came by, I ordered a glass of Chardonnay. (One of the photos on the photo page from this event shows me holding it up.) It was good and it was potent. People were pouring in now, and we were ready for anything. We all waited (most chatting or texting) while listening to Beatles tunes over the speaker.
I saw crew and security over on our side of the stage, in front of and behind a screen. Some looked a bit familiar, so I went up and gave the most familiar guy two of the Heart & Soul/Now and Forever fan business cards. He took them, and I said, "Be aware that the Air Supply fan clubs are represented here, and I'm it!" He looked me over and said, "OK."
Later, Jonni peeked out at the crowd, looking around. I gave a really big wave in the air, and darn if he didn't wave back and smile. What a sweetheart! Wish I could have met him too. And, come to think of it, I never got to meet with Graham again either, but there is always next time.

We really liked the set on the stage. A huge screen with a dusky red "Air Supply" image beamed onto it that included images of travel trunks near the bottom. At 8:10 an announcer came out and said there would be a video and then the band would appear. The video was showing how they set up for a show, do sound checks, and it also had still shots and video from the past & present. A nicely done collage.

We couldn't help wondering, after so long, if Air Supply had changed. What were they like now? You can read about them on the internet sites, all the fan show reviews, but what about in real life? The theme for this show was advertised as "Up Close and Personal." Oh, Goodie! The anticipation grew, but finally, Air Supply appeared. Hold onto your seats! The introductory music for "Sweet Dreams" started. The place hesitated a mere nano second in time and then roared. That song was done somewhat differently than I'd heard it on their CDs, but I liked it. Graham was looking handsome in a kind of sleeveless, loose black shirt and Russell was wearing a vivid, blue jacket and an unusual tie with some interesting, kind of glittery red design on it. I'll have to look at my photos to see it again. Oh, yes . . . they were just like always. It was as if years hadn't passed by at all. All the energy was still there, all the vocal ability, all the stamina. I was amazed and, I admit, proud of my guys.

Next came the foot-tapping, delightful "Even the Nights are Better", and right away "Just As I Am", a huge favorite with males and females alike (it speaks to both), then a fairly newer song, "A Little Bit of Everything" - which I personally adore. Then we were treated to "Here I Am' (playing with those memories again); and, of course, the song promised in Russell's Tampa Bay radio interview, the super emotional "Chances" belted out as only Russell can do.

After that, Frankie did a solo on the electric piano which was a mix of probably his own music and also his take on a medley of Air Supply songs. Respect of the audience shot up then for the actual extent of the talent of this guy who was obviously more than just so darn cute.
Anyone could instantly realize too, that Russ L. was a pro on guitar in every sense of the word. My son plays electric guitar in a heavy metal band, and I heard that music all though his high school years and well beyond, so I know if it's good when I hear it. This . . . was so good.

I asked the gal to my left what the next song was that they were doing, as I couldn't remember it, but she didn't know. Before long, I realized it was "Faith in Love" and told her so. She thanked me, and I thought she said she was from Canada. I exclaimed, "All the way from Canada?" She answered, "Not Canada. Tampa." Finally, I understood. She and her guy were very sweet.
All of a sudden, everyone swooned at Russell's dramatic "The Power of Love" . . . sung like no one else anywhere can sing it, bar none. I mean that! Everyone knows that! Believe me.

Intermission came just in time to try to recover from all kinds of heart palpitations affecting others and myself.
I looked over the items for sale, but had them all already. Hee, hee.
Coming out of the rest room, I heard a gal behind me say, "Mom, that blond one is 49 and that one with white hair is 50." The mom replied, "They sure have a lot of energy for that age." I kind of giggled since they were off the real ages by a decade, almost.

After intermission, we found Graham had grabbed a chair at center stage and he sat there and simply played and sang his solo "A Little Bit More" (I think was the name of it), one I hadn't heard before. It went from calm and quiet and grew more insistent. And he, towards the end of the song, got up and stood, walked and then marched. The gal next to me whispered, "Oh, how I love that one." I agreed. (If I've got the title of that song wrong, sorry.)
Graham was now wearing a kind of draped, black gauzy shirt and pants with a thin sparkly stripe running vertically. Russell wore black pants and shirt with a dark red, rich brocade vest. He had on another interesting tie.
After the long-time, popular favorite "Two Less Lonely People in the World" (to which people cuddled up), came introductions of the band members and the applause of approval.

The entire room roared at hearing "The One that You Love". Then continuing with that song, perhaps with bit on a more acoustic sound to it (or was I hearing things?), Graham and Russell worked their way down from the stage and began a trek though the audience. I turned on my camera thinking this would make a good, close shot when my husband instructed, "I'll take the camera, you go for it." Never one to argue (LOL), I looked up from handing the camera to my husband and saw Russell about two feet away directly in front of me, with nobody between us. Having always lost my ability of speech, remaining wordless when meeting the guys, I said nothing as usual, but somehow managed to lift up and hold out my arms. Russell slid right into them and mine went around him. OK, this is heaven myself insisted to me. LOL. One thought strongly ran though my mind then, the song, "I Can't Let Go." And I wondered how could I let go? But he didn't try to push at me or anything at all, but just hugged me back. OK, I admit . . . it may have been just seconds, but to me hours passed. (Haven't you ever lost track of time?) So I forced myself to let go, and he grinned and moved on to the next ladies, him looking at each one as he went as if they each were the only woman in the entire world. And that's all it takes, and what makes these guys unique. They are not thinking, "Who's next?" They do not glance sideways. They concentrate on you when you're the one at the time. (sigh)

On his way back to the stage, back up the same aisle, my husband shook his hand. When I got my camera back, my husband said, "Don't think I took much of a good shot, You were too close in front of me." I brought up the pic and saw only Russell's and my hair with Jonni there in the background. Oh well, that will just have to do for now. I'm happy.

I don't know the title of the next song or two. I wrote the words "dancing" and "answer me" "Dance With Me" on my note paper. I'll try to figure it out sometime.
But I clearly knew "Lost in Love" when that came up and so did the rowdy, completely wound-up crowd, everyone on their feet.
The guys motioned people to the stage, but there wasn't much room to get up there because of the front row being butted up against the stage, but some managed to get closer. The temperature in the place had gone from 60 degrees at the start to 90 something by then.

Russell thanked the fans, playfully asking if any purchased the CD set from their infomercial. (I raised my hand.) He also mentioned that they had fun while on "Don't Forget the Lyrics" TV show.

Air Supply performed "Every Woman in the World" much to the delight of the gals there, after which Russell told how they enjoyed the Ray's game the night before. Mike was wearing a Rays shirt, in fact. The Rays are our Tampa Bay area baseball team and are much beloved.

Finally we leaped up (if not up already) to their big hit "Making Love Out of Nothing At All". I don't know how they do it. This is a long song with many verses and a whole lot of emotion. Whew! I was exhausted just listening and clapping and moving to the music. Soon we were encouraged to sing along in the "Making love" parts. It was fun. Some in the audience were nearly losing their balance as well as losing the liquid out of their plastic glasses - they were moving back and forth so much!

Graham thanked everyone and explained how much they liked Tampa, Ybor City and the venue. He thanked their band, crew, security and well - everyone for turning out and being such long-time, faithful fans. People yelled, "Come back to Tampa Bay. Tampa. Tampa." I think they got the idea.

They left the stage, but the clapping and cheering wouldn't stop. Not at all. Finally the clapping was in unison and the front row fans were banging on the stage in unison also. This went on a while (you know me and time - seconds? minutes? hours?), but finally Mike came out and took his seat to thunderous applause, then Jonnie and Frankie and Russ L. Then Russell and Graham. The place was roaring. (I seriously could have used a pair of ear plugs. LOL.) We heard another new song "Sex Love" or "Sex and Love", written by Frankie and Graham.

Last, we were delighted to hear "All Out of Love" which included some crazy drum solo with Graham striking at the symbols Mike was holding very high over his head. With the red, then blue lighting, it was an especially stunning scene.

Everything ran smoothly. Security was on top of things, but thank God we were allowed to take photos at any time. Cameras and cell phones were a flashing all over the place.
I was extremely impressed with the lighting - kudos to the lighting person or people. Lovely and unique. The sound was really good too, in spite of a noisy back of the room.

These performers, all six of them, really put in 1,000 percent for their shows. How they do that night after night, I'll never know, but am grateful we got to reap the benefits.
My camera, which I bought for its zoom and stabilization didn't act up to par. Either the guys just move too fast for cameras, or I was zooming in too much. Guess I should have put it on "sports" mode. But at least I got a few decent shots which I'll post.

We lingered on there just a little bit, while most fans filed out, to see what would happen, but had to leave the area where the Meet & Greet was to take place for people with only the highest priced tickets. We had just read about that in that day's news paper and already had purchased our tickets, but such is life. Hey, I got to a show!!!!! I'm happy. My husband asked a security guard how many were in the audience, and the reply was that it was at least 700.

On the bright side (and a very bright side it is), we walked up the aisle and ran right into Frankie who was kind enough to quickly talk and pose for a pic. Be there no doubt, he is adorable in every way. (Not that we don't still miss Jed.) Then my husband dragged me outside, and we saw right there, leaning up against one of Ybor City's quaint, 1900's style street lamp posts, Mike. Since the Jannus Landing show in 2003, which I belive was Mike's first with the band, I've wanted to meet him. So this was an honor.

I had been handing out a few of the fan web site business cards we had left over, and people took them eagerly. Some said, "I know these web sites." Well, on a whim I handed one to Mike too. He said, "What's this?" I announced, "Want to join an Air Supply fan club or two?" He laughed, "Oh, I heard of this. Are you helping with that? I replied, "I AM that." He smiled and asked my name and said he'd seen those cards back stage. That thrilled me. I then explained, "We'll it's not something you have to join to enjoy. It's all just fun stuff." My husband took a pic of me with Mike as well. I must say, Mike is a genuinely kind and personable guy. Humble is the word that comes to mind.

All too soon, the valet pulled our car up. Groups of people were still taking about the show and how they hoped Air Supply would be back again. The valet attendants said, "That really must have been some kind of show. We don't see people coming out here all excited like this normally."
Come to think of it, most all ages were there, from a few kids to like 75-year-olds, and just as many men as women. The men were more subdued at first, but by the end of the evening, I kid you not, I saw some of them actually throwing kisses to the guys, swinging their beer glasses and yelling endearing comments of gratitude. So many wonderful memories. All had big grins across their faces.

Yep, Air Supply. They came, they sang, they conquered OUR hearts unconditionally, totally, awesomely and forever. So now . . . tell me, who could ever ask for more?
The Tampa Bay area clearly was swept away in their whirlwind, and do we really want to put things back like they were before this storm? Not a chance. Believe me.
Thanks guys. We are all very, very, very grateful.
Lovin' it all, Devoted2as

Photos from Before the Show

Photos of Part One of the Show

Photos of Part Two of the Show

Photos of After the Show