Foreigner: Arena Rock Masters with a Transatlantic Legacy

Foreigner. A Transatlantic Supergroup is Born

Foreigner emerged in the mid-1970s as one of rock’s most successful and polished acts, combining British rock sophistication with American arena sensibility. The band was formed in 1976 by veteran English guitarist Mick Jones, along with fellow Brit Ian McDonald (formerly of King Crimson), and New York-born vocalist Lou Gramm, forming the core of a group that would dominate radio and stadiums for the next decade.

The name Foreigner was chosen because half of the band was British, half American—regardless of where they performed, someone would always be a foreigner.

Foreigner. Classic Lineup and Early Success (1976–1979)

The original lineup:

• Mick Jones – guitars, keyboards, songwriting
• Lou Gramm – lead vocals
• Ian McDonald – rhythm guitar, saxophone, keyboards
• Dennis Elliott – drums
• Al Greenwood – keyboards
• Ed Gagliardi – bass

They signed with Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1977, a massive commercial success.

Foreigner (1977)

With hits like:

• “Feels Like the First Time”
• “Cold as Ice”
• “Long, Long Way from Home”

The album stayed in the U.S. Top 20 for over a year and sold over five million copies. Their polished production and catchy melodies gave them immediate mass appeal.

Foreigner. The Rise of Arena Rock Titans (1978–1981)

Double Vision (1978)

This sophomore album continued their momentum with:

• “Hot Blooded”
• “Double Vision”
• “Blue Morning, Blue Day”

It went multi-platinum, reinforcing their status as FM rock kings.

Head Games (1979)

A slightly harder-edged sound with hits like:

• “Head Games”
• “Dirty White Boy”

However, tensions within the band led to the departure of McDonald and Greenwood.

Peak Popularity with 4 (1981): A Rock Radio Juggernaut

By 1981, Foreigner had trimmed to a quartet: Jones, Gramm, Elliott, and new bassist Rick Wills. They teamed up with producer Mutt Lange (AC/DC, Def Leppard), resulting in their biggest success:

4 (1981)

• “Urgent” (with Junior Walker on saxophone)
• “Waiting for a Girl Like You” – a soft rock classic that stayed at #2 for 10 weeks
• “Juke Box Hero” – an anthem about musical ambition and stardom

4 sold over 7 million copies in the U.S. alone, mixing power ballads and hard rock with commercial sheen.

Foreigner. Mid-1980s: From Rock to Romantic Power Ballads

Agent Provocateur (1984)

Marked a stylistic shift with more emphasis on synths and ballads.

• “I Want to Know What Love Is”
  Their only #1 hit in the U.S. and UK, featuring backing vocals by the New Jersey Mass Choir. It became one of the most iconic love songs of the 1980s.
• “That Was Yesterday” and “Growing Up the Hard Way” were also successful singles.

Inside Information (1987)

This album saw diminishing returns, but included the hit “Say You Will” and “I Don’t Want to Live Without You”, continuing their trend toward adult contemporary radio.

Foreigner. Lineup Changes and Decline (1990s–2000s)

Tensions between Lou Gramm and Mick Jones came to a head, leading to Gramm’s departure in 1990. He was replaced by Johnny Edwards, and the band released:

Unusual Heat (1991)

A commercial disappointment, lacking the familiar vocal identity Gramm had provided.

Gramm returned in 1992, and the band released:

Mr. Moonlight (1994)

Critically more focused, but commercially underwhelming. Despite strong tracks like “Until the End of Time,” the era of chart dominance was over.

Revival with Kelly Hansen (2005–Present)

In 2005, former Hurricane vocalist Kelly Hansen joined as lead singer, alongside Mick Jones. With Jeff Pilson (ex-Dokken) on bass and Tom Gimbel (guitar/sax/flute), a new generation of Foreigner was born.

They became a top touring act, delivering dynamic live shows with renewed energy and professionalism. Highlights from this era include:

Can’t Slow Down (2009)

• New studio tracks and re-recorded classics
• Charted on the Billboard 200, showing continued fan support

Musical Style and Influence

Foreigner’s sound combines:

• Arena rock power – riff-driven, anthemic, polished
• Pop rock sensibility – catchy choruses and sleek production
• Power ballads – rich in emotion and orchestration
• Hard rock foundation – thanks to Jones’ guitar work and Gramm’s vocals

They influenced a wide range of acts in melodic rock and AOR (Album-Oriented Rock), such as Journey, REO Speedwagon, and later acts like Bon Jovi and Europe.

Notable Albums

• Foreigner (1977)
• Double Vision (1978)
• Head Games (1979)
• 4 (1981)
• Agent Provocateur (1984)
• Inside Information (1987)
• Mr. Moonlight (1994)
• Can’t Slow Down (2009)

Best-Known Songs

• “I Want to Know What Love Is”
• “Cold as Ice”
• “Urgent”
• “Waiting for a Girl Like You”
• “Juke Box Hero”
• “Hot Blooded”
• “Feels Like the First Time”
• “Say You Will”

Legacy and Achievements

• Over 80 million albums sold worldwide
• Multiple platinum and gold albums
• Continued touring success, even without all original members
• Classic hits that remain staples on rock radio and streaming platforms
• Lou Gramm inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2013

Interesting Facts

• “I Want to Know What Love Is” was inspired by Mick Jones’s personal soul-searching and written in just a few hours.
• The famous sax solo in “Urgent” was performed by Motown legend Junior Walker.
• Kelly Hansen, the band’s current frontman, has been with Foreigner longer than Lou Gramm ever was.
• Despite being one of the biggest bands of the ’70s and ’80s, Foreigner is still not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, sparking ongoing debate among fans and critics.