00:02Morning everyone. Well, it's a real pleasure and an honor to be here today to say a few words about
00:08two very special people, Russell and Graham, Air Supply. 50 years of making hits, sharing the stage, dressing rooms, sharing
00:18airplanes, hotels, bad pizza, and God knows what else they shared. And they're still speaking to one another.
00:24So I've had the privilege of knowing these two for about 40 years. And I can honestly say that they
00:31are every bit as incredible and awesome as humans as is the music they have given the world.
00:36Back in the 90s, I had the great pleasure of producing and co-writing a song for them. It wasn't
00:44exactly a hit. In fact, it was a stiff. It's okay.
00:48They didn't hold it against me. The experience was something I've always treasured. I wasn't just working with two super
00:54talented guys. I was working with two genuinely loving guys.
00:58And there was humor during those sessions, too. We went to a restaurant while we were recording for lunch on
01:04a break.
01:06While they were busy talking to each other, a woman came up to me and asked if I thought they
01:10would sign her album.
01:12I, of course, told her that they would be happy to. She turned to them. She handed them a Hall
01:19& Oaks TV.
01:21I love man-eaters, she said. I would have told her to piss off, but they graciously signed John and
01:28Daryl.
01:29She was very happy.
01:32Graham and Russell are two very different people with two very distinct personalities.
01:37who somehow fit together. They each bring something completely unique, but together, they create something that neither of them could
01:46conjure up alone.
01:48And for more than five decades, as Lisa said, they've reached millions and millions of people all over the world.
01:54The statistics of their career are extraordinary and well-documented, as we've heard today.
02:01I just wanted to make a quick phone call, because I talked to somebody this morning, and I don't know
02:06if he'll answer or not, but I talked about you guys, and what I was doing this morning, he was
02:09like,
02:10Oh my God, I just, I love that band. And please tell them hello for me. And I said, well,
02:16why don't you tell them yourself?
02:17So just give me one minute, I'm sorry, here. It'd be worth it, I promise you, if it works.
02:22But who knows? He's a big superstar, and probably he'll tell me to piss off, too.
02:29Okay, hang on. I should have been more prepared, shouldn't I?
02:33Yeah, sorry, burning up. Very precious time here.
02:39Okay, here we go.
02:41God, it takes me to WhatsApp. Why does it do that?
02:45Well, anyway, it was Michael Buber, and he said hello.
02:48Hello.
02:51But what we talked about, I got a full dose of that when I saw them in concert at the
02:55Hollywood Bowl just three years ago.
02:57And I was so pleasantly surprised to see grandmothers, daughters, and sons, and grandkids all singing every word.
03:04And I was singing right along with all of them.
03:06What a thrill for those generations.
03:08And honestly, what a thrill it must be on countless nights like that to be Russell and Graham.
03:16Kindness, respect, and humility is something that all of us hope for when we meet superstars.
03:22We all know that it just doesn't go down that way as often as it should.
03:27Time after time, I have witnessed firsthand these two interact with fans as though the fans were family.
03:33It's important, and it tells me exactly who they are when the cameras aren't rolling.
03:40And speaking of family, lastly, I'm sure your families must be so proud of both of you.
03:45And I would say good job to those parents who raised you.
03:47And I would also give a great shout-out to your manager of 50 years, Barry Siegel.
03:52And for the years of suffering to Terry and Lori.
04:01No, seriously, they're two genuinely kind, generous, and gracious people.
04:06And they have given me something more than great music, and that's friendship.
04:11I value it.
04:12I appreciate you asking me to speak.
04:14I congratulate you both on this day that so rightfully honors you both.
04:20Okay, thanks.
