Philadelphia Fan Club Convention
1986

--- Philadelphia, PA ---
The first official Air Supply Fan Club convention was held in Philadelphia, PA on Aug. 11-12, 1986 at the Dunfey City Line Hotel. Around 100 fans were in attendance for the event. This event included a fan club picnic at a city park, and dinner, softball game and concert with Air Supply. At the right is a picture of Graham and Russell when they first arrived. Fans gathered around the band and were able to get pictures and autographs. But this was just the beginning of the evening festivities.

Before dinner, fan club members gathered together and performed in various ways as entertainment for the band. The first to perform was a fan who did sign language to the Air Supply song "Just As I Am". Second, 7 fan club members, portraying each member of the band, lip synched to the song "Making Love Out Of Nothing At All". Some of the fans in this ensemble even went as far as to dress like the band. And finally, 3 young fans, portraying Graham, Russell and Ralph lip synched to the song "Young Love". At the left is a picture of Russell and Ralph as they watched the fans perform.

Next, dinner was served. But before the evening came to a close, we had a question and answer session with the band. To start things off, each member of the band told a little bit about themselves and their musical background. Questions regarding their record company, how many albums they had to make and when their new album would be released were the first to be asked. Graham announced then that the new album at the time "Hearts In Motion" would be released the next day. Other questions were asked about their music videos, being played on VH-1, and where the inspiration for Graham's song writing comes from. The evening concluded with more pictures and autographs. Then, after the band left, the fan club gathered together to show off their Air Supply memorabilia.

The next day, fans were invited by the band to attend a picnic and softball game at a park near the Valley Forge Music Fair, where the band was scheduled to play. The game was FANS VS AIR SUPPLY!!!!!! I'll let you guess who won that one. Let's just say it was a slaughter. They beat the fan club so bad that Russell just had to mention it at the concert that night.

At right, Graham up to bat. At left, Russell playing second base. After the game was over, the band gathered together to sing "2-4-6-8-Who do we appreciate? FAN CLUB, FAN CLUB, YEAH!!! FAN CLUB.

Before the band left the park to go to their afternoon sound check, of course, there were even more pictures and autographs. The best thing was, on the way to the park that day, everyone had stopped at two local Philadelphia record stores to buy the newly released "Hearts in Motion" lp.

---- Valley Forge, PA ----

That night, after the softball game, fans were treated to an Air Supply concert at the Valley Forge Music Fair.

The concert was part of their Hearts In Motion tour. Band members at the time included: Don Cromwell, Harpo, Robin Swensen, Tim Godwin and Ralph Cooper.

In the end, a great time was had by all. Little did we know at the time that this first convention was setting a tradition. There have been 4 similar events held since..

----- Laurie Frank ------