Lead Singer of '70s Rock Band, With No. 1 Hit Song, Turns 77
For nearly five decades, Russell Hitchcock has been one of the most recognizable voices in soft rock.
The longtime lead singer of Air Supply is celebrating his 77th birthday, marking another personal milestone amidst a career that has produced some of the genre's most beloved love songs.
Born on June 15, 1949, in Melbourne, Australia, Hitchcock met songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell while both were performing in the Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 1975. The pair quickly discovered a shared musical chemistry and formed Air Supply that same year.
"The first time I met [Graham Russell] was for rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar and we were amongst a few outcasts because most of the people had been in the production business and they were from a theatre background," Hitchcock told Unlocking Connecticut. "We have the same kind of sense of humor, same interest in movies, everything is pretty much like my twin brother."
Their breakthrough came at the end of the decade, but it was the early 1980s that transformed the duo into international superstars. Between 1980 and 1983, Air Supply scored an extraordinary run of Top 10 hits in the United States, including "Lost in Love," "All Out of Love," "The One That You Love," "Every Woman in the World," "Here I Am" and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All."
Among those hits, "The One That You Love" stands above the rest commercially. Released in 1981, it became Air Supply's only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing the duo's place among the biggest acts of the soft rock era.
Throughout it all, Hitchcock's soaring tenor became the band's signature. His ability to effortlessly move between delicate ballads and powerful choruses helped define Air Supply's sound and made songs like "All Out of Love" and "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" enduring radio staples.
Despite changing musical trends, Air Supply never disappeared.
The duo has continued touring almost nonstop for decades, performing hundreds of shows around the world while maintaining one of the most loyal fan bases in classic pop and rock. In 2013, they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, recognizing their lasting impact on Australian music.
More recently, Air Supply announced its first new studio album in 14 years, A Matter of Time, proving the duo is still creating new music nearly 50 years after first joining forces.
"This album has been years in the making, and we can't wait for you to hear the songs we've created and share this journey with us," the duo told fans via Instagram.
Known affectionately by fans as "Hitch," Russell Hitchcock has remained remarkably consistent throughout his career, continuing to deliver the soaring vocals that first made Air Supply famous.
As he celebrates his 77th birthday, Hitchcock's legacy is secure, not only as the voice behind one of soft rock's biggest No. 1 hits, but as one half of a duo whose timeless love songs continue to resonate with generations of listeners.
Related: '70s Soft Rock Duo Announces Album for the First Time in 14 Years
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This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 3:27 PM.