By admin :max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(745x343:747x345)/foreigner-kelly-2-052025-d17cf80f8fbb4619af55a43faa79d631.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Foreigner Lead Singer Kelly Hansen Declares Exit, Guitarist Luis Maldonado to Take His Place")
NEED TO KNOW
- Kelly Hansen introduced his Foreigner exit throughout NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday, Could 20
- Guitarist Luis Maldonado will change him as lead singer
- The rock band that introduced followers hits like “Chilly As Ice,” “Sizzling Blooded,” “Feels Like The First Time” and extra will rejoice their fiftieth anniversary in 2026
Kelly Hansen has introduced he’ll not be the lead singer for Foreigner.
The 64-year-old rock star shared the information himself because the band carried out on NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday, Could 20. Throughout the episode, it was revealed that guitarist Luis Maldonado would step in, making for an emotional “passing of the torch” second.
“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of many biggest honors of my life,” mentioned Hansen in an announcement. “Nevertheless it’s time to cross the mic. Luis has the voice, the vitality, and the soul to hold these songs into the long run. I couldn’t be prouder handy this off to him.”
Tyler Golden/NBC
Mick Jones is the one founding member nonetheless with the band. Present members embrace Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier and Jeff Pilson.
The English musician and songwriter, 80, added, “In 1976, my purpose was to assemble the best group of musicians I may discover. Outcomes have proven that it labored!”
Along with keyboardist and vocalist Jones, Foreigner’s authentic line-up included lead vocalist Lou Gramm, rhythm guitarist and woodwind participant Ian McDonald, bassist Ed Gagliardi, drummer Dennis Elliott and keyboardist Al Greenwood.
“About 30 years later, [drummer] Jason Bonham inspired me to do it over again and create a brand-new Foreigner, and the magic was nonetheless there,” Jones mentioned of including new members.
Ebet Roberts/Getty
“I used to be particularly lucky within the alternative of lead singer,” Jones continued. “Kelly Hansen is likely one of the greatest entrance males in our enterprise and during the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs.”
The U.Ok. native praised Hansen for “his boundless vitality and flawless expertise,” saying it helped the brand new group “climb the mountain and arrange the chance for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to deliver us residence.”
“I want Kelly nice happiness in his subsequent endeavors after our summer season tour, and I sit up for welcoming Luis to his new place,” Jones mentioned. “Luis was my alternative as a guitarist and he has already proven us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to unimaginable evaluations. He’ll quickly lead the cost that can carry us ahead to new heights.”
Krishta Abruzzini
Hansen joined the group in 2005 as Gramm’s alternative.
In April, the 75-year-old introduced he and Foreigner have been reuniting to go on tour greater than 20 years after he left the band.
Throughout an interview with Billboard final month, Gramm confessed that the band’s 2024 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame made him come to phrases with previous points throughout the group.
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“Ever since [the induction] it felt like, personally, I needed to discover a solution to let go of a number of the issues I’ve been holding onto for years — and, just like the track says, let or not it’s,” he advised the publication on the time. “It’s a hackneyed sentiment, nevertheless it’s true — life’s too brief.”
Foreigner will rejoice their fiftieth anniversary in 2026. To mark the event, the “Juke Field Hero” hitmakers are set to carry out in Australia, have a fiftieth anniversary tour and be featured in a documentary.