LSO ANGELES (Top40 Charts/ Graham Russell Official Website) - When Graham Russell was nine years old, he ventured for the first time into a forest, located just at the edge of his hometown of Nottingham, England, that has captured the Western World's imagination for over seven centuries. Finding himself lost in the dark, dense and spooky Sherwood Forest—the real live home of the great
Robin Hood legend—he says, "its magic became a part of me. I somehow felt I had returned home."
Now, many years, countless hit records and thousands of concerts around the world later, Russell—better known to still-rabid romantic pop music fans as one half of Air Supply, with songwriting and performing partner Russell Hitchcock—is bringing that magic to glorious and exciting musical life with his ambitious new rock opera The Heart Of The Rose.
With forty pop and rock flavored songs penned by Russell and a book written by the composer, his wife Jodi Russell and noted British historical writer Graham Phillips (author of the 1988 bestseller Robin Hood: The True Story), the musical presents the real story behind the powerful Robin Hood myths that have hijacked it in our renderings of the tale since the 14th century. The Heart Of The Rose, based on the extensive historical research of Philips, is the culmination of a 20-year musical journey for Russell, who started the project at his home studio in 1987 (a few years beyond Air Supply's initial heyday) and worked on it in pieces over the years between the band's frenetic tour schedule of over 120 global dates per year.
On January 29, Russell previewed ten selections from The Heart Of The Rose for an elite group of potential investors at the penthouse home of Sandie Tillotson, owner of Nu Skin, a direct selling company that sells cosmetics, nutritional supplements and technology services; her penthouse, located in the Time Warner Building in Columbus Square, offers a 360 degree view of New York. The evening, which was a highlight of NYC based social events attended by top Broadway theatre people, included performances of Russell's songs by top singers Karla DeVito (Meat Loaf's first female partner), Tony Harnell from the Norwegian rock band TNT, Broadway vocalist Stan Brown and Russell himself. The highly successful event was capped off with cuisine and wine from Gabriel's restaurant.
"The response was incredible, and it's especially gratifying for me because the show's been coming for a long time," says Russell. "Everyone at the presentation echoed the wow factor of these songs, that the music just grabs hold of you and is very passionate and moving. The idea behind The Heart Of The Rose is to convey the true, heroic story of Robin Hood, out of the green tights we traditionally place him in."
Russell first had the brainstorm to tell the story in the mid-70s, just as he was about to appear in the Australian production of Jesus Christ, Superstar, where he met his future Air Supply partner Russell Hitchcock. "During the show, I began to realize how a show called Sherwood could be staged," he says. "But then, something happened that put Sherwood on hold for a while. Air Supply became extremely successful, touring, recording, writing songs and playing all over the world for many years to come."
"Once I had time to dedicate to making the dream of Sherwood a reality, it took on a life of its own and came together very quickly," Russell adds. "I sang most of the roles myself at this stage, but the people that worked on the project would become immersed in it and take on their own roles. Being spurred on by Jodi, we took a trip to England to gather more historical information and completely by chance, met Graham Philips. The three of us traversed England, this time looking for the 'real' Robin Hood. What we found was a thousand times more interesting than the legend. He led us to a place that exists in all of us, whose physical embodiment is a Holly tree beside a mesmerizing pool of water, encircled by ancient stones in the very heart of England. Hidden from all until the time is right, it was a place not bound by this dimension, Robin had led us to the Heart of the Rose."
In addition to this ongoing project, Russell is also excited about the March release of The Future, his first ever solo CD, which wraps his always romantic lyrics in unique rhythmic, electronica and acoustic settings very different from the music of Air Supply. On Valentine's Day (a highly appropriate time, considering the way Air Supply's romantic songs have transfixed generations of fans) in Kansas City at Harrah's Casino, he will begin a "new career" as an opening act for Air Supply. His brief set, featuring him playing only his acoustic guitar, will include his new songs "Make You Mine," "Lace and Leather" and the title track of The Future. His set will then morph into the main show.
Currently being released on Air Supply's own A Nice Pear label, The Future will be launched at radio with its first single, "Let Yourself Go."
"I've always been a fan of other kinds of music like techno and more acoustic singer-songwriter artists," says Russell. "This solo album finally gives me a chance to play in some of the other styles I love. Air Supply records an album every few years, and there is so much material I have written that has never been released because I'm writing all the time. The Future isn't a completely separate entity entirely, but it shows a different part of me that Air Supply's fans haven't seen yet. I'm excited about finally having the opportunity to share it with them."
*** Astbury Closes Door 
NEW YORK (Top40 Charts/ CULT Fans Website) - THE CULT vocalist IAN ASTBURY has officially moved on from working with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger of The Doors. The band, performing under the moniker Riders On The Storm, has toured the world extensively over the past four years, and had just completed a sold-out 13-date tour of Europe.
Astbury, who is now fully engaged in re-launching The Cult alongside guitarist Billy Duffy, has decided it was time to close that chapter of his musical career. "I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy. I have enjoyed performing and sharing the stage with Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger immensely. I have learned a great deal from the both of them,?and it certainly has expanded my abilities as a performer. This has been a difficult decision to make but I feel I would be holding them back as well as myself if I did not depart at this time. Great love and respect to all the fans. Thank you for everything you have shared with me...."
There is no word at press time on his possible replacement; however, Riders On The Storm manager Tom Vitorino stated that the band will continue to perform, and is currently considering a very short list of vocalists.
