Foreigner Co-Founder Al Greenwood Hopes the Band ‘Goes On Forever’ Despite No Original Members
Society of Rock
A Band Without Its Founders
When Foreigner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, co-founder Al Greenwood stood onstage and reflected on a career that began nearly five decades ago. The band formed in 1976 and became known for radio staples such as “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Today, none of the original members tour full time with the group, yet the name still fills arenas.
That reality is not unusual in classic rock. This summer, Foreigner will co-headline the Double Trouble Double Vision tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd, another group performing without any founding members. The trend has sparked debate among fans who question when a band stops being the same band. A recent piece in New York Magazine explored the issue, asking how legacy acts can continue after their original lineups fade away.
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Passing the Baton
Greenwood believes the answer lies in care and respect for the music. He points out that co-founder Mick Jones, though no longer touring, remains involved in choosing musicians for the live lineup. “They’re very respectful of the band’s sound,” he says of the new players. “They ask a lot of questions: ‘How did we do this? How did you play that? What sounds did you get?’ They want to get it right.”
He adds, “We call it the Foreigner family.” Greenwood and former lead singer Lou Gramm still appear at select shows. But age has changed what they can handle on the road. “We’re in our mid-70s or early 80s, so it’s hard for us to go out anymore.” For him, bringing in younger musicians is not about replacing the past. It is about keeping the songs alive for longtime fans and new listeners.
Keeping the Music Alive
Greenwood is clear about his hopes for the band’s future. “I hope it goes on forever,” he says of the Foreigner name. “Let’s face it: The music really stood the test of time.” He sees the catalog as bigger than any one lineup. In his view, the songs belong to audiences as much as to the players who first recorded them.
He even extends that thinking to other rock legends. Speaking about The Rolling Stones, he says, “They have to go on forever. If they could find people who can fill those shoes, that would be incredible because the music is brilliant. I wouldn’t like to not be able to see that music being played.”
