Kelly Hansen Is Leaving Foreigner

After two decades fronting Foreigner, Kelly Hansen has announced he’ll be stepping down as lead singer at the end of the band’s 2025 summer tour. The news came during the group’s appearance on The Voice, where Hansen shared the heartfelt decision.

Hansen said:

“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
“But it’s time to pass the mic.”

His replacement? Foreigner’s current multi-instrumentalist Luis Maldonado, who joined in 2021 and recently filled in as lead vocalist during the band’s tour of Latin America. Hansen was unable to join that leg due to residency issues. Original lead singer Lou Gramm even made special guest appearances on that tour.

Passing the Torch to Luis Maldonado

Hansen is confident Maldonado will do justice to Foreigner’s legacy. “Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.”

Founding guitarist and songwriter Mick Jones, who’s been sidelined since 2022 due to Parkinson’s disease, also praised Hansen and welcomed Maldonado to the frontman role.

Jones said in a press release:

“Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs.
“His boundless energy and flawless talent has helped us climb the mountain and set up the opportunity for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to bring us home.”

He added:

“Luis was my choice as a guitarist and he has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to incredible reviews.”

From Farewell Tour to a New Chapter

Back in November 2022, Foreigner had announced what was meant to be their farewell tour, originally set to wrap up in 2024. But it’s since been extended, and there’s no longer mention of it being the band’s final run. Hansen said at the time:

“This catalog of songs, it’s extremely challenging for a rock tenor vocalist like myself to sing.
“I never would have thought in a million years I’d be singing these songs in [these] keys at this age, and I don’t know how much longer I can do that at the level I need do.”

With Hansen stepping aside, Foreigner looks ahead. As Jones said in the release:

“[Luis] will soon lead the change that will carry us to new heights.”