But just for me to come in and sit in with a band that emotionally doesn't mean that much to me and just play for the memories of it… If there were other members of the original band onstage, I might be inclined to seriously think about it. We played some shows with the new band and the old band, and those have been a lot of fun. And we had our 40th reunion of one of the albums - the first album or FOREIGNER '4' or 'Double Vision' - we had those. I'm so at peace with where it is now and how it's ended. And then I know there's been many, many shows lately where he's not there at all."Īsked if he would be interested in making a special guest appearance at any of the shows on FOREIGNER's farewell tour, Lou said: "I'm not sure. And apparently lately he's come in for the last song and the encore, and that was it. He added: "Honestly, for years been showing up for half the show or he'd come in the last four or five songs of the set. I guess it's not my business, and maybe it is a business decision for them, but it just doesn't feel right to me." And I don't understand how they can be touring with no original members and still calling themselves FOREIGNER and going on for years like that. I can't quite get… I know his health, he's had his ups and downs. And Mick's choice to keep it going after there were no original members other than himself, that's his option. There were changes in personnel after that while I was still in, and that was a damn good band too. And it's been good years for all involved, especially the band that was FOREIGNER's inception. At this point of the FOREIGNER career, epic career, I think it's run its course. In a recent interview aboard The 80s Cruise, Gramm was asked for his opinion on FOREIGNER's announcement that the band was embarking on its farewell tour. Live Nation-produced tour, FOREIGNER will be joined by LOVERBOY. Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER's biggest hits, including "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold As Ice" from the band's eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like "Hot Blooded" and "I Want To Know What Love Is".įOREIGNER's farewell tour is set to launch on July 6 at Atlanta's Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. The vocalist made the announcement just months after he participated in FOREIGNER's "Double Vision: Then And Now" concerts, which featured current and original members of the band, including Jones, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Rick Wills and guitarist/saxophonist Ian McDonald. In 2018, Gramm revealed that he was retiring from touring as a solo artist. Joining Jones and Pilson in FOREIGNER's current lineup are Kelly Hansen on vocals, Michael Bluestein on keyboards, Bruce Watson on guitar, Chris Frazier on drums and Luis Maldonado on guitar.Īfter singer Lou Gramm left FOREIGNER in 2003, Jones took some time off before regrouping a couple years later with an entirely new lineup, featuring Hansen and Pilson, among others. And then you tell me whether we do FOREIGNER justice or not.' And I'll stand by what we do a thousand percent." "What I tell people is anytime anybody has a problem with the no-original-members thing, I just say, 'You know what? I get it. It only takes one or two people to make it sound like there's a bunch. So, sure, people are gonna say stuff like that online. And I'm actually amazed, because when we play, we get no negative feedback. Ever since, it is never announced whether he will be appearing with the band for specific shows - it just depends how he is feeling.Īsked about criticism from some fans that FOREIGNER without any original members is nothing more than a "cover band," Pilson said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):"You know what's funny? You see some of that on the Internet, but it's not as pervasive as you think. The only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, Jones suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012. In a new interview with "Real Music With Gary Stuckey", FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson addressed the fact that he and his bandmates are often dismissed as a glorified cover band, particularly since founding guitarist Mick Jones no longer regularly tours with the act.
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