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Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 70s rock band announces lineup change as frontman quits and replacement is revealed
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ICONIC 70s rock band Foreigner have announced a lineup change, with their frontman quitting for a replacement. Kelly Hansen, 64, who has lead Foreigner for the past 20 years, made the announcement during an appearance on The Voice U.S. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Foreigner have announced a lineup change, with frontman Kelly Hansen quitting Credit: Getty 4 Luis Maldonado will be taking over from him Credit: Getty The six-piece had performed a medley of Feels Like the First Time, I Want to Know What Love Is and Juke Box Hero during last night's live finale. And, at the end or their set, Kelly told fans guitarist Luis Maldonado will be taking over from him. The singer said: 'Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honours 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.' Luis, already a familiar face in the band's lineup, shared his excitement about the transition. He gushed: '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.' The group is currently in the midst of their Historic Farewell Tour, which will wrap up with multiple singers sharing frontman duties. In a move that has kept fans guessing, the band revealed earlier this year that Kelly would not be joining them for their Canadian dates in October, followed by the news that he would also skip shows in Mexico and South America this April. Adding to the uncertainty, Foreigner announced in March that Canadian stage actor and Broadway performer Geordie Brown would be fronting those Canadian shows. It remains unclear whether Louis or Geordie will now take the lead for those dates. Ian McDonald plays with King Crimson at Hyde Park in 1969 Foreigner founder Mick Jones, who no longer performs live but remains involved with the band, reflected on the decision in a statement. He 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. "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. "He will soon lead the charge that will carry us forward to new heights." Luis' debut as lead vocalist is already underway. This month, Foreigner released two reworked versions of their classic hits - 1981's Urgent and I Want To Know What Love Is from 1984 - both sung in Spanish and featuring Luis on vocals. 4 Kelly made the announcement during an appearance on The Voice U.S. Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Iconic 70s rock band announces lineup change as frontman quits and replacement is revealed
ICONIC 70s rock band Foreigner have announced a lineup change, with their frontman quitting for a replacement. Kelly Hansen, 64, who has lead Foreigner for the past 20 years, made the announcement during an appearance on The Voice U.S. 4 Foreigner have announced a lineup change, with frontman Kelly Hansen quitting Credit: Getty 4 Luis Maldonado will be taking over from him Credit: Getty The six-piece had performed a medley of Feels Like the First Time, I Want to Know What Love Is and Juke Box Hero during last night's live finale. And, at the end or their set, Kelly told fans guitarist Luis Maldonado will be taking over from him. The singer said: 'Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honours 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.' read more on rock bands Luis, already a familiar face in the band's lineup, shared his excitement about the transition. He gushed: '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.' The group is currently in the midst of their Historic Farewell Tour, which will wrap up with multiple singers sharing frontman duties. In a move that has kept fans guessing, the band revealed earlier this year that Kelly would not be joining them for their Canadian dates in October, followed by the news that he would also skip shows in Mexico and South America this April. Most read in Music Adding to the uncertainty, Foreigner announced in March that Canadian stage actor and Broadway performer Geordie Brown would be fronting those Canadian shows. It remains unclear whether Louis or Geordie will now take the lead for those dates. Ian McDonald plays with King Crimson at Hyde Park in 1969 Foreigner founder Mick Jones, who no longer performs live but remains involved with the band, reflected on the decision in a statement. He 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. "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. "He will soon lead the charge that will carry us forward to new heights." Luis' debut as lead vocalist is already underway. This month, Foreigner released two reworked versions of their classic hits - 1981's Urgent and I Want To Know What Love Is from 1984 - both sung in Spanish and featuring Luis on vocals. 4 Kelly made the announcement during an appearance on The Voice U.S. Credit: Getty 4 The six-piece had performed a medley of their hits Credit: Getty
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hansen 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 rockstar fashion. The 64-year-old rocker, who joined the band in 2005, broke the news on the season finale of NBC's 'The Voice' 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.' Advertisement 6 Foreigner's lead singer, Kelly Hansen, on Tuesday's episode of 'The Voice.' Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images 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 center 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.' Advertisement 'Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors 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.' 6 Hansen (R) announced he would be leaving the Foreigner, and guitarist Luis Maldonado (L) would take over as the band's lead vocalist. Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images 6 Foreigner members (L-R) Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Hansen, Maldonado, Chris Frazier, Jeff Pilson, with Carson Daly (C). Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images Advertisement Maldonado added that he was ready to step up to the plate and 'honor Foreigner's legacy.' '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,' 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 rockstar has not performed live with the band since 2023. 6 Hansen and Foreigner perform at the Sleep Train Pavilion on Sept. 18, 2007, in Concord, California. Getty Images Advertisement '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. 6 Hansen performs with Foreigner at the Ascend Amphitheater on July 11, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. Getty Images 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. 6 Hansen on stage at Ball Arena on June 25, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. Getty Images Advertisement 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.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Foreigner to perform at the Black Oak Amphitheater
LAMPE, Mo. — The Black Oak Amphitheater announced that 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Famers Foreigner will be dropping by Lampe this summer. Foreigner and special guests Members Only will be hitting the stage on Friday, September 12, at 7 p.m. at 1728 State Highway H in Lampe. Tickets can be purchased on April 11. According to a press release, Foreigner has defined the arena rock genre with iconic hits such as 'I Want to Know What Love Is,' 'Cold As Ice,' 'Juke Box Hero,' and 'Hot Blooded.' The band's remarkable career spans over 80 million albums sold and multi-platinum success worldwide, making them one of the best-selling bands of all time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Foreigner to perform in Rockford in August
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Classic rock band Foreigner will bring hits such as 'Juke Box Hero,' 'Cold As Ice,' and 'Hot Blooded' to Rockford's Coronado Performing Arts Center this fall. The recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will take the stage on August 10th. Foreigner is also known for hits such as 'Waiting For a Girl Like You,' 'Feels Like the First Time,' 'Urgent,' 'Head Games,' and 'I Want to Know What Love Is.' Founded in 1976, Foreigner has 'more Top 10 songs than Journey and as many as Fleetwood Mac,' and 'At times, the band's weekly catalog sales have eclipsed those of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Def Leppard, Van Halen, Aerosmith and most of their Classic Rock peers,' according to a press release. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 31st at 10 a.m. on or at the Coronado or BMO Center box office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
