70s Rock Icons Reverse Retirement and Hint at Future After Announcing Farewell Tour
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Farewell Tour Turns Into a New Chapter
Fans of Foreigner got some unexpected news—retirement may not be happening after all. Despite their earlier announcement of a farewell tour, the band is now hinting at more music and shows in the future.
“There’s just a lot of forward movement, and the band is incredibly excited,” bassist Jeff Pilson told Billboard on June 25. “What started off as being a farewell tour now ended up being Kelly [Hansen’s] last tour and (the band) moving forward.”
Changes in the Lineup
Kelly Hansen became Foreigner’s third frontman in 2005, stepping in after original lead singer Lou Gramm. The band announced their “Historic Farewell Tour” in 2022, which began the following summer.
Hansen addressed fans in a heartfelt message posted on Foreigner’s website in November 2022: “The time has come. We have more or less lived our lives on the road for almost eighteen years. We have always strived to give you our best and we intend to finish this the same way,” he said. “Foreigner has a brilliant and increasingly demanding catalogue of songs to sing and I refuse to give them less than they deserve. So, we’re going to finish strong.”
He added, “I want to make it very clear how grateful and appreciative we are to our audiences all over the world who have supported this band. I’m sure there may be occasions when we’ll do some special appearances, but I think the time is coming for us to live off the road. Thank you all so much!”
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New Voice for the Band
During The Voice season finale in May, Hansen officially passed the mic. He announced that Luis Maldonado, a longtime guitarist for the band, would become the new lead singer.
“After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,” Hansen said. “At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you: my friend, Luis Maldonado.”
Moving Forward Together
Pilson said that everyone involved supports the change and that it brings the band closer together. “We’re able to integrate everything, not only with Lou but everything about Foreigner, into the present,” he said. “Making this change, with Luis, with Mick [Jones] and Lou’s endorsement and having the whole organization working more together, has been such a positive thing.”
