70s Rock Icons Foreigner Appoints Current Member as New Lead Singer
via RadioQRM4 / YouTube
A Farewell to Kelly Hansen
Foreigner, one of the biggest rock bands of the 1970s, continues to evolve nearly five decades after its formation in 1976. Known for their powerful anthems like “Cold as Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Urgent,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is,” the band has remained a lasting presence in rock music. Now, they’ve made a major change within their lineup. Guitarist and vocalist Luis Maldonado has officially been named the band’s new lead singer.
This announcement comes right after Kelly Hansen’s final shows with the group on October 10 and 11, marking the end of an era. The performances were filled with both joy and emotion as the band bid farewell to their longtime frontman. Bassist Jeff Pilson reflected on the moment, saying, “It was a very special moment, deeply emotional. We also had some fun with it, and we pulled some pranks. We wanted to make it a memorable night that not only Kelly would never forget, but none of us would ever forget.”
View this post on Instagram
A Tribute to a Departing Frontman
Pilson also expressed deep appreciation for Hansen’s years of dedication. “I also wanted to pay tribute to Kelly because he made such a huge contribution to this band. He’s a vital element in what has gotten the band to where it is today. We’re grateful to him [and] we’re sad he’s gone. We’re going to miss him terribly.”
Hansen joined Foreigner in the mid-2000s and helped reintroduce the band to new generations through energetic tours and faithful renditions of their classic hits. His exit left big shoes to fill, but the band believes Maldonado is the right choice to carry on the group’s legacy.
Why Luis Maldonado is the New Singer
Pilson described the transition between Hansen and Maldonado as completely smooth and positive. “He’s a brother, but we’re also really excited for his future. He’s got a great life ahead of him, and we’re excited for the future of the band. It could not have been a better transition,” he said. “You know, those kinds of things can be ugly, and this one was absolutely not, and that’s a testament to everybody being cool, Kelly especially being cool. And just the nature of this music and this band is that the cream does rise to the top.”
He continued, “Once Luis [Maldonado]’s voice was uncovered and we all realized what he had, including Kelly, the future became so clear to us. This whole transition just fell into place naturally and we couldn’t have asked for a better one to be honest with you.”
How Maldonado Earned the Mic
Maldonado originally joined Foreigner four years ago as a guitarist, stepping in for Thom Gimbel. When Hansen announced his decision to leave, Maldonado reportedly encouraged him to stay, hoping to keep the group intact. But when Hansen chose to move on, the opportunity opened up naturally.
Maldonado quickly proved himself worthy of the role. During Foreigner’s recent concerts in South America, he took the lead on several songs and impressed both the audience and his bandmates. Pilson praised the performances, saying, “He just stepped up and sang the crap out of these songs. I mean, he just sings them with so much heart and yet holds the original intention of the songs.”
Even former frontman Lou Gramm has shown his support. “Lou Gramm is really excited about Luis doing it. He’s fully endorsing Luis as a singer, which is a pretty cool thing,” Pilson added. “He just stepped up to the plate and it was just an obvious thing.”
