Iconic '70s band lead singer quits live on air during The Voice finale shocker
The lead singer of Foreigner stunned longtime fans with a surprise announcement during Tuesday's season finale of The Voice.
Following the band's electrifying performance, Kelly Hansen—who joined the group in 2005—revealed that he'll be stepping down after nearly two decades at the mic.
'After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,' Hansen told the audience. 'At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado.'
In a later statement, he added: 'Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life. 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, the band's longtime guitarist, added in a statement: 'This music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I'm ready to honor Foreigner's legacy and bring my heart to every performance.'
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Foreigner shot to fame in the late 1970s and ruled the charts through the '80s with a string of rock anthems and ballads, including Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, Urgent and Juke Box Hero.
The band hit the stage during The Voice finale with a powerhouse medley of their classics, including Feels Like the First Time and the fan-favorite ballad I Want to Know What Love Is.
Foreigner came together in New York City in 1976, with guitarist Mick Jones assembling a powerhouse lineup.
It included singer Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Ed Gagliardi, and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald.
In a statement, Jones said, 'In 1976, my goal was to assemble the finest group of musicians I could find. Results have shown that it worked!
'About thirty years later, Jason Bonham encouraged me to do it all over again and create a brand-new Foreigner, and the magic was still there. I was especially fortunate in the choice of lead singer.
'Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men 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.'
He concluded, 'I wish Kelly great happiness in his next endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position.
The band hit the stage during The Voice finale with a powerhouse medley of their classics, including Feels Like the First Time and the fan-favorite ballad I Want to Know What Love Is.
'Luis was my choice as a guitarist and he has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to incredible reviews.
'He will soon lead the charge that will carry us forward to new heights.'
Foreigner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, though the current lineup wasn't included in the honor, as they weren't part of the original band.
The inductees included founding members Jones, Elliott, Gagliard (who passed away in 2014), Gramm, Greenwood, McDonald (who died in 2022), and longtime bassist Rick Wills.
Foreigner is currently touring North America through November, with a stop at Louisville's Bourbon & Beyond festival in September, and a string of headlining shows set for 2026 at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas.
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