Australian duo Air Supply to play CAC

After 37 years of touring together, the iconic duo of Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell have had multiple singles reach multimillion plays on the radio. Local residents along with West Virginia University faculty and staff will have the opportunity to hear them in person.

"We are looking forward to this show," said lead singer Russell Hitchcock.

As a soft rock ballad group, Hitchcock said that their music is a perfect complement to this romantic time of year. Air Supply will be performing live in Morgantown this weekend.

The concert is not expected to be predominantly acoustic rock, as it was in the past. Fans in attendance will also be treated to a loud rock ‘n' roll show.

"We are going to play things people are familiar with and three or four new things," Hitchcock said.

Over the past three decades, Air Supply has become famous for their live performances that, according to their official website. ‘hold audiences captive around the World.'

The group was the first Western pop group to tour China, Taiwan and similar countries that until then did not permit pop music to be performed within its borders.

Hitchcock said they perform between 120 and 130 shows a year. In 2011 alone they performed more than 150 shows.

Since their debut album "Life Support," Air Supply has been on the top of the music charts for decades. Their first single "Lost in Love" was named song of the year in 1980. Their second single "All Out of Love" climbed to the top of many billboard charts upon its release in the same year.

Air Supply's run of seven consecutive top-five hit singles in the 1980s equaled a feat at the time previously accomplished by only The Beatles.

The Creative Arts Center strives to bring in the most developed, talented and worldly groups possible, according to WVU Arts and Entertainment Public Relations Specialist David Ryan.

Air Supply's long career and lifetime success makes them one of the most established groups to ever come through and perform in Morgantown.

"We're happy to bring in names people know, like and want to come and see," Ryan said. "(Air Supply) has been known for soft-rock love ballads for nearly four decades. It's a great fit for Valentine's Day."

Hitchcock believes their body of work speaks for itself, and that they have a great show coming up Sunday.

"People have been enjoying our music for generations," Hitchcock said. "It should be exciting. We hope everyone comes out to see us and enjoy the evening."

The concert is Sunday at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the WVU Creative Arts Center.

The general public can purchase tickets between $45 and $55. Student tickets are being sold at a discounted rate of $27.

For more information on purchasing tickets, see http://events.wvu.edu.