Hansen is dealing with “some issues” that limits his involvement outside of the US
Original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm will step in for current frontman Kelly Hansen during the band’s upcoming South American tour. Hansen, who’s fronted the band for 20 years, will be limiting his appearances outside of the United States.
“Some issues have forced me to limit appearances outside of the USA this year, and this means, unfortunately, I will miss Foreigner’s South American run,” he says in a statement via Blabbermouth. “However, our incredible bandmate Luis Maldonado has been recording some of our hits in Spanish and he will be handling most of the vocals along with Lou Gramm who will be guesting with Foreigner for those shows. I know they will smash it!”
Hansen will also not be involved with the band’s Canadian run, set for this fall. They’ve enlisted Geordie Brown, who played the male lead in the workshop production of the band’s upcoming Juke Box Hero, The Musical, set for production in 2026 with further details forthcoming.
A rep with the band confirms to The Music Universe that “[Hansen] is still with Foreigner.”
The classic rockers have extended Farewell Tour to include a celebration of the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction. Original band members will join the legendary group at select shows, including Gramm who most recently appeared at a Florida show to sing “I Want To Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded.”
Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” and the worldwide No. 1 hit and member of Spotify’s exclusive Billions Club, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Foreigner still rocks the charts almost 50 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success. Streams of Foreigner’s hits are over 15 million per week.
