Foreigner lead singer reveals departure from band on The Voice: ‘It's time to pass the mic'
Foreigner's longtime lead singer Kelly Hansen stunned fans when he announced his departure from the legendary band in rock star fashion.
The 64-year-old rocker, who joined the band in 2005, broke the news on the season finale of NBC's The Voice US on Tuesday after performing the group's 1977 hit song Feels Like the First Time alongside his bandmates.
'After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,' Hansen told the crowd. 'At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado.'
Maldonado — who joined Foreigner in 2021 as a guitarist and has filled in as lead singer on the recent Latin America tour — appeared with a mic in hand on centre stage and started singing one of the band's radio hit songs, Juke Box Hero.
Hansen joined Maldonado in an emotional send-off as the pair ended the night singing I Want to Know What Love Is.
'Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honours of my life,' Hansen said following the announcement.
'But it's time to pass the mic. Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future. I couldn't be prouder to hand this off to him.'
Maldonado added that he was ready to step up to the plate and 'honour Foreigner's legacy.'
'This music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I'm ready to honour Foreigner's legacy and bring my heart to every performance,' Maldonado said.
Founding member and guitarist Mick Jones is the only original member of Foreigner to remain with the band. However, the 80-year-old rock star has not performed live with the band since 2023.
'In 1976, my goal was to assemble the finest group of musicians I could find. Results have shown that it worked!' Jones said of Hansen's departure, according to Rolling Stone.
'Kelly Hansen is one of the best frontmen in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs. His boundless energy and flawless talent has helped us climb the mountain and set up the opportunity for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to bring us home.'
Hansen will put down the mic for good as the band's frontman at the end of their current summer tour, featuring both him and Maldonado as vocalists.
Hansen's upcoming departure from the band caps off a 20-year run as Foreigner's vocalist after he replaced original lead singer, Lou Gramm — who left the group over creative differences, Billboard reported.
In April, Gramm, 75, revealed he would be touring with Foreigner for one last run as the band and appeared as a special guest at their recent South American tour shows.
Hansen did not join the band at those concerts due to scheduling issues, but he and Gramm have acknowledged their strained relationship, according to Billboard.
Foreigner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2024, including Jones, Gramm, the band's original drummer Dennis Elliott, bassist Ed Gagliard (who died in 2014), keyboardist Ian McDonald (who died in 2022), keyboardist Al Greenwood, and bassist Rick Wills.
Hansen was not included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
Current members include Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier, and Jeff Pilson.
Foreigner is on tour across North America through November and will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026.
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