Few Australian bands can claim to have conquered the world quite like Air Supply.

Now, 50 years after English singer-songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell and Australian singer Russell Hitchcock first met during rehearsals for Jesus Christ Superstar on May 12, 1975, the soft-rock legends are returning home for a special anniversary tour.

After selling out five Australian shows last year, the duo will head back Down Under in December to perform in cities that missed out, bringing with them a catalogue packed with some of the biggest love songs of the past half-century.

Fans can expect classics including Lost in Love, All Out of Love, The One That You Love, Love and Other Bruises, Making Love Out of Nothing at All, Sweet Dreams and Now and Forever.

For Russell Hitchcock, coming home remains something special.

“We love coming back to Australia to where it all started,” he said.

The numbers behind Air Supply’s success are staggering. Their albums have sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, while a run of seven consecutive Top 5 singles matched a chart achievement previously reached by The Beatles.

They have played more than 5,500 shows, still perform around 130 dates a year, became the first Western pop group to tour China, and drew a record crowd of 175,000 people in Cuba.

Yet despite decades of international success, Australia remains close to their hearts.

“It means the world to us to celebrate our 50th anniversary by performing in our homeland of Australia,” Hitchcock said.

Graham Russell agrees.

“On our 50th year as Air Supply, nothing will make us prouder than coming back to the place where it all began.”

Dates & Deets

Tickets on sale Thursday, June 11 at noon (local time)

Tickets: www.davidroywilliams.com

Thursday, December 3 – The Star, Gold Coast

Saturday, December 5 – Sounds of Rock Festival, Wollongong

Tuesday, December 8 – PCEC Riverside Theatre, Perth

Thursday, December 10 – Entertainment Centre, Adelaide

Saturday, December 12 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle