Latest news with #Foreigner
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Classic rock band losing longtime lead singer: ‘It's time to pass the mic'
A classic rock band is losing its lead singer after 20 years. Kelly Hansen, the longtime lead singer for Foreigner, announced his exit from the band during an appearance on NBC's 'The Voice' on Tuesday night, May 20. The singer will leave the band at the end of the group's 2025 summer tour. 'Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,' Hansen said during Foreigner's appearance on 'The Voice' Tuesday. 'But it's time to pass the mic.' Hansen, who has been Foreigner's lead singer since 2005, will be replaced by guitarist Luis Maldonado. The guitarist took over lead vocals for Foreigner's recent Latin American tour dates, which Hansen missed due to 'residency issues.' 'Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future,' Hansen said. 'I couldn't be prouder to hand this off to him.' Foreigner co-founder and guitarist Mick Jones thanked Hansen and praised Maldonado, a former guitarist for Train, for keeping the band going. '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,' Jones said in a statement. '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. I wish Kelly great happiness in his next endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position. 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.' Jones is the only original Foreigner member still permanently in the group, though he no longer performs due to Parkinson's disease. The touring lineup currently includes Hansen, Maldonado, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson, and Chris Frazier. Geordie Brown, who played the male lead in a 2018 workshop production of 'Juke Box Hero, the Musical,' will replace Hansen on the band's new Canadian tour dates this fall. Foreigner added the 13 new dates after starting the tour in 2023. Brown performed 'Hot Blooded' with Foreigner during the band's 2019 appearance in Halifax and was also at Foreigner's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2024. Brown will also reprise his role in 'Jukebox Hero' for its upcoming 2026 run. The band plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year with special appearances by original lead singer Lou Gramm, including launching anew musical ('Feels Like The First Time - The Foreigner Musical') in New York. Gramm was also a 'guest' vocalist for Foreigner's past Latin American shows. Gramm is known for powerhouse vocals on Foreigner's hits 'I Want to Know What Love Is,' 'Hot Blooded,' 'Feels Like the First Time,' 'Waiting for a Girl Like You' and 'Cold As Ice.' The singer left Foreigner in 1990 and again in 2002, but has periodically reunited with the band, including at their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in October. He also made a surprise appearance at a Foreigner concert in Florida earlier this month. Gramm announced his retirement from touring last year. His final concert is expected to be a hometown show with the Lou Gramm All-Stars at Batavia Downs on Aug. 1. The band's upcoming tour dates include an Aug. 5 show at South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset and Sept. 21 at The Big E. Fans can shop for tickets online using reliable third-party ticket sellers like StubHub, VividSeats and SeatGeek. Kelly Clarkson Las Vegas Residency: Where to buy tickets before they sell out Meet the 13 local acts ready to take the Boston Calling stage Hip-hop legends accuse record label of holding music catalogue 'hostage' Boston Calling's indoor arena returns after 6 years: Here's what to expect Where to buy cheapest Post Malone tickets to the Gillette Stadium show Read the original article on MassLive.
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
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.
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Foreigner lead singer reveals departure from band
Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hansen reveals departure from the band while performing on the season finale of The Voice US.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
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.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 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.
Fox News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hanson surprises fans with news about band's future
The legendary rock band Foreigner is saying farewell to lead singer, Kelly Hansen. After the band's stellar performance during Tuesday's finale of "The Voice," Hansen - who joined the group in 2005 - broke the news of his departure alongside his bandmates. "After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner," Hansen, who will put down the mic after the band's summer tour, told the crowd. "At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado." "Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life," added Hansen, who joined the group in 2005. "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." Foreigner was formed in New York City in 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones, vocalist Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Ed Gagliardi and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald. Hansen has been the lead singer of Foreigner since 2005. Mick Jones is the only founding member still with the band. Current members include Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier and Jeff Pilson. "In 1976, my goal was to assemble the finest group of musicians I could find. Results have shown that it worked! About 30 years later, Jason Bonham encouraged me to do it all over again and create a brand-new Foreigner, and the magic was still there," Jones said per Rolling Stone. "I was especially fortunate in the choice of lead singer," Jones continued. "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." "I wish Kelly great happiness in his next endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position," Jones added. "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." Since their music career launched in 1976, the English-American rockers skyrocketed to fame with major hits, including "Cold as Ice" and "I Want to Know What Love Is." In October, Hansen and founding member Greenwood spoke with Fox News Digital about the highs and lows of touring, how health challenges have impacted the band, and what it's like to receive one of "music's highest honors" ahead of their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. "When you're starting out in a band, and you're trying to be popular, there's a lot of pressure on you. There's a lot of pressure on the musicians." Greenwood explained. "There were fights, there were definitely arguments and things like that in the early days. But… you get over it." "A band is really a family. You have all different personalities and everybody's got to fit together, and you perform every night… it's work, and it's pleasure," Greenwood continued. During the course of their 50-year music career, several band members suffered from serious health issues: Gagliardi and McDonald died from cancer in 2014 and 2022, respectively; Gramm was diagnosed with a type of brain tumor in 1997; and Jones is currently battling Parkinson's disease. Fox News Digital's Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this post.
