The original singer of this legendary New York rock band returns on his farewell tour to perform his two greatest hits

If a band continues performing without any of its original members, is it still the same band? Former Foreigner front man Lou Gramm doesn’t think so, although that didn’t stop him from performing two songs with the current incarnation of the rock group at a gig in Florida on Saturday.

The Rochester, New York native sang “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded” alongside current Foreigner singer Kelly Hansen in what may well be his final appearance with the band he originally co-founded in 1976.

“It’s one of the most recognizable and iconic vocals in rock history, and we’re going to do it together. I’m beside myself,” was how Hansen introduced Gramm ahead of their performance of “I Want to Know What Love Is” at the concert in Clearwater.

Gramm denies Foreigner reunion tour

Despite being in harmony on stage, the two seemingly haven’t always seen eye to eye.

Amid rumors Gramm would be joining Foreigner for their farewell tour, which is due to continue until October, the 74-year-old was emphatic in his denial, saying he had no interest in touring “with another band that calls themself Foreigner,” revealing he had an issue with “Kelly’s ego”.

“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,” Gramm told SiriusXM. “I’ve been thinking about it for about a month, that’s when I found out that I couldn’t sing my own favorite songs on the tour. So I think I’m just going to tell them I’m not interested”.

Lou Gramm’s musical farewell

Gramm and Foreigner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October, which will be among the final acts of their long careers. Like the group, the original singer has also revealed he will retire this year, with his final show with the Lou Gramm All-Stars expected to be at Batavia Downs in New York on August 1.

Gramm fronted Foreigner between 1976 and 1990, and again between 1992 and 2003. His second departure reportedly came as a result of a breakdown in communication between him and guitarist Mick Jones.

Co-founder Jones is still considered a member of the band but hasn’t performed with them since 2023 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

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