Lou Gramm Opens Up About Mick Jones and His Condition

Lou Gramm has offered a sobering glimpse into his current relationship with longtime collaborator Mick Jones, revealing that the guitarist is now in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Speaking on the Lipps Service, Gramm was asked about where things stand between the two co-founders of Foreigner.

“It’s pretty good. He’s in end stages of Alzheimer’s. So our conversations are [everything is sort of water under the bridge at that point],” Gramm said, suggesting that time and circumstance have softened any lingering tensions. Reflecting further, he added, “I mean it is for me but I can’t tell how he is. He’s distant,” underscoring the emotional complexity of maintaining a connection under such conditions.

A Legacy Shaped by Triumph and Strain

Jones, born in 1944, has long been regarded as one of rock’s most influential songwriters and guitarists. However, his health has significantly altered his public presence over the past decade. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011, he gradually stepped away from regular touring duties, though he continued contributing creatively when possible.

His partnership with Gramm, which began with Foreigner’s formation in 1976, yielded a run of era-defining hits including “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” While the collaboration propelled the band to arena-rock dominance, it was not without friction. Gramm ultimately departed the group in 2002 following his own health battle with a brain tumor, marking a turning point in their professional relationship.

Enduring Impact Beyond the Spotlight

Despite years of distance, the pair reunited for key moments, most notably during Foreigner’s 2017 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—an event that highlighted the enduring respect between them and their shared contribution to rock history.

In the years since, Foreigner has remained active on the road, with Kelly Hansen handling lead vocals and Thom Gimbel among the touring lineup. Jones, meanwhile, has largely withdrawn from public life as his health has declined.

Gramm’s remarks ultimately offer a poignant reminder: even within one of rock’s most successful partnerships, time, illness, and perspective can reshape relationships—leaving behind not just a catalog of hits, but a deeply human story of reconciliation and distance.