Lou Gramm Says Foreigner Reunion Is Fading Away

Fans hoping to see Lou Gramm reunite with Foreigner on their 2025 farewell tour might want to temper expectations. Despite rumors sparked by Foreigner’s announcement of extending their tour, Gramm recently revealed why the reunion is unlikely during a chat with Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk.

“Foreigner’s management asked me if I would be interested in doing some shows with the band,” Gramm shared. But the idea of a long global tour didn’t sit well with the former frontman. “They want to do a substantial tour of the world, which doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t want to be out 8 or 10 months again without seeing my kids.”

Gramm did admit he’d consider joining for a U.S. leg of the tour, though even that prospect left him feeling uncertain. He confessed:

“I’m not exactly sure how I feel about it.
“It would be much more interesting to me if it was members of the original Foreigner with augmented instrumentation, like another guitar player or something. Rather than going out with another band that calls themself Foreigner.”

Gramm’s ‘Trademark Songs’ Off the Table

A major sticking point for Gramm is the limitation placed on which songs he’d be allowed to perform. He explained that management offered him a chance to sing “about five songs” per show, while Foreigner’s current frontman, Kelly Hansen, would handle the rest. However, when Gramm proposed some of his signature hits, he was met with resistance.

“I said, well, I’d like to do ‘Jukebox Hero,’” Gramm recalled. “[Foreigner’s manager] goes, ‘I’m not sure about that.’ I said, ‘Well, I definitely want to do ‘I Want to Know What Love Is.’ He says, ‘I don’t think so, Lou.’”

The singer found himself increasingly frustrated. He said:

“Every song I suggested that I would like to do, he told me he didn’t think so.
“It sounds as if he talked to Kelly about it, and Kelly made his claims on certain songs.”

Frustrated but Firm

Gramm dismissed any doubts about his vocal abilities as the reason for the restrictions. “Their concerns [are] about Kelly’s ego,” he said bluntly. Ultimately, the limitations on his setlist were a dealbreaker. “There are particular songs that are my trademark songs, and if I can’t sing them, I don’t want to be out on the road.”

After mulling it over for a month, Gramm has decided to pass on the offer. “I think I’m just going to tell them I’m not interested,” he concluded.