Watch Kelly Hansen Gets Emotional During His Final Show with Foreigner

A Bittersweet Farewell

After nearly five decades in rock music, Kelly Hansen took his final bow as the lead singer of Foreigner on Saturday (Oct. 11) at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The 64-year-old California native, who joined the band in 2005, helped carry the legacy of Foreigner’s classic hits like “Juke Box Hero” and “Cold As Ice.”

Before joining Foreigner, Hansen first rose to prominence with the hard rock band Hurricane and later worked with several rock groups. His time with Foreigner marked a new chapter that lasted two decades and reconnected the band with audiences across generations. Earlier this year, during the season 27 finale of The Voice in May 2025, Hansen announced that he would be stepping down after the summer tour, naming bandmate Luis Maldonado as his successor.

Passing the Torch

As the band prepared to close their final show with Hansen on the 1984 classic “I Want to Know What Love Is,” the moment turned emotional. The stage quieted as Hansen addressed the audience one last time.

“Thank you all for all of your support,” he said. “I’ve been in this business, I think, about 48, 49 years. I’ve put in my time. I spent 20 years with this fantastic band singing a catalog of songs that a singer couldn’t dream of. And thank you.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as Hansen waved goodbye, symbolically passing the mic to Maldonado, who joined Foreigner in 2021 as a multi-instrumentalist.

“Luis has the talent, the passion, and the spirit to bring these songs to life for years to come,” Hansen said earlier this year. “I’m proud to welcome him as the next voice of Foreigner.”

Maldonado expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “This music has been the soundtrack to my life. It’s a huge honor to take on this role, and I’m committed to delivering every song with heart and soul.”

Looking Ahead

Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones reflected on Hansen’s impact on the band. “Choosing Kelly was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Jones said. “He brought a fresh spirit to Foreigner and helped reintroduce our music to fans old and new.”

Speaking with People, Hansen revealed that retirement will bring a quieter, more personal chapter. “My whole life has been loud music and bright lights and a lot of s—, and I spent a lot of my time trying to avoid f—ing landmines, and I don’t want to have to do that,” he shared. “I just want to live my life with my friends and my family and just dig it.”