Iconic ’70s Rock Band Brings Back Founding Singer for Major 50th Anniversary Tour
Photo by Distributed by Atlantic Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Foreigner is marking its 50th anniversary with an expansive celebration that includes the return of founding lead singer Lou Gramm for select performances in 2026. The milestone honors five decades since the band first came together in New York City in 1976 and highlights both its past and present.
The anniversary officially begins on February 25, 2026, exactly 50 years after Foreigner’s first rehearsal. On that date, the band will perform a special acoustic show in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Current members Luis Maldonado, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, and Bruce Watson will lead the performance, revisiting the group’s catalog in a more intimate setting designed to reflect on its origins.
A Year of Touring in Many Forms
The celebration will continue throughout 2026 and into 2027 with several touring formats. Following the Beaver Creek show, Foreigner will stage an acoustic run across Colorado ski destinations. This will be followed by an orchestral tour that includes a March residency in Las Vegas and a closing performance with the San Diego Symphony.
In April, the band will reunite with Lou Gramm for a special series of Florida dates connected to Foreigner 4 Deluxe. During this run, the group will perform its 1981 album 4 in full, along with a selection of its most recognized songs. The shows place Gramm back onstage with the band during a period closely tied to its commercial peak.
The anniversary momentum continues in June with a 26-date European tour. In July, Foreigner will return to the United States for a co-headlining amphitheater run with Lynyrd Skynyrd, beginning July 23. These dates will bring the band to audiences across the country during the height of the summer concert season.
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Music, Theater, and a Lasting Legacy
Beyond touring, Foreigner’s catalog will also move to the stage with Feels Like The First Time — The Foreigner Musical. The production will run April 17–26, 2026, at Long Island University and will be directed by Broadway performer Adam Pascal. As part of the buildup to the musical, the band is reuniting with Gramm on multiple projects, reinforcing his role in the anniversary plans.
At the core of Foreigner’s story is founder Mick Jones, whose songwriting helped define the band’s sound. The group’s 1977 self-titled debut produced songs such as “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” and “Long, Long Way From Home.” Later releases added hits including “Urgent,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
Says Jones, “When I started Foreigner in 1976, I never could have imagined that these songs would carry us through fifty years and still resonate with audiences around the world. This anniversary is a celebration not just of the music, but of the fans who have been with us every step of the way.”
Over five decades, Foreigner has earned 10 multi-platinum albums, 16 Top 30 singles, and worldwide sales exceeding 80 million records. The band’s music continues to reach new listeners, with audio and video streams nearing 20 million per week as the anniversary celebration moves forward.
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