Iconic classic rock band Foreigner to perform at McGrath Amphitheatre

One of the more surprising final tour announcements in 2022 emanated from Foreigner. Unlike such groups on swan song jaunts, such as The Eagles, Aerosmith and Kiss, none of the members of Foreigner, which formed in 1976, are originals.

The longest tenured member who performs each show with the group is bassist Jeff Pilson, who joined in 2004. The following year, vocalist Kelly Hansen signed on. Hansen planned to leave the group in 2024 and effectively end the band.

"It takes a lot to sing and perform these songs at a high standard," Hansen explained during an interview in 2022. "I don't want to go out there sucking or cheating the audience. I want to finish strong and with pride. I want to serve the legacy of this great band and the last thing I want to do is disappoint anybody."

Apparently, the biggest disappointment for fans would be the end of the band, which will perform Monday, Aug. 11 at McGrath Amphitheatre. While on tour in 2024, Foreigner was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after being snubbed for years.

Former members of the band, vocalist Lou Gramm, bassist Rick Wills and keyboardist Al Greenwood reunited for the event. The discussion turned to Foreigner continuing post Hansen.

"Nobody wanted the band to end (except Hansen)," guitarist Luis Maldonado said while calling from Durham, North Carolina. "I tried to talk Kelly into staying. I went into his dressing room and said, 'Dude, are you sure about this?' He wants to go and lead his life without the band."

However, Hansen's bandmates hoped to continue. But who would become the Foreigner frontman? There was no need to audition. Maldonado, who joined the group in 2020, was asked to become the singer by Pilson.

"I never thought about singing with Foreigner," Maldonado said. "But one thing led to another, and that's what I'll be doing."

But, Maldonado, 51, won't become the full-time frontman until after Foreigner plays two shows in Atlantic City in October. However, Maldonado did take over for Hansen for gigs in Central and South America earlier in the year.

"That was awesome," Maldonado said. "It's incredible since I grew up listening to Foreigner in Tucson.“

"The first songs I heard were 'Cold as Ice' and ‘Feels Like the First Time,’“ Maldonado added. "I love those songs, and then there was 'Urgent,' which is incredible. There are so many great songs by Foreigner. This band is like Journey, Fleetwood Mac and Aerosmith. I'm talking about groups with a lot of great songs."

Foreigner is on the level of those iconic bands, none of which had to wait very long to be enshrined in Cleveland's hallowed halls. Somehow Foreigner architect Mick Jones failed to receive his due recognition until last autumn.

"Waiting for a Girl Like You," "I Want to Know What Love Is," "Hot Blooded" and "Juke Box Hero" are just some of the hits Jones wrote or co-wrote.

"Mick is an incredible writer," Maldonado said. "The fans have loved Foreigner for years."

More than 80 million Foreigner albums have been sold, and the band will continue since fans still pack venues.

"The demand is certainly there," Maldonado said. "And the cool thing is that the band very much wants to continue."

Foreigner's show at the McGrath Amphitheatre will be among the last 20 that Hansen will deliver as the band's frontman. "I want to focus on other things," Hansen said. "I know what is expected from singers, but I don't want to die onstage like a lot of people do. There's a wide spectrum of things to enjoy out there."

Just 10 days after Hansen performs with the band in Atlantic City, the microphone will be passed to Maldonado. "I'm very excited about it," Maldonado said. "Foreigner will continue and that's important to me since this group really is like a family. We're that close."

The members of Foreigner are on good terms with Gramm, who left the act acrimoniously in 2003. However, Gramm has been back via guest appearances during the last eight years.

"Lou has been so supportive about everything we're doing," Maldonado said.

Foreigner's next act is bittersweet for Jones, who recently retired from touring due to Parkinson's disease.

"It's tough for Mick since he would love to play and go on tour with us if he could," Maldonado said. "But he can't go out on the road due to Parkinson's. His will is there but not the body. However, he has an amazing legacy. He handpicked all of us to play. I'll never forget when he picked me. Mick said, ‘I'll commit to you if you can commit to me.' I was all in. Jeff and I were recently at his place in New York, and he's very excited and still involved. I'm so glad we're continuing, and for Mick's sake, Foreigner finally is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Many acclaimed bands aren't in the Hall of Fame for some reason, but it's surprising it took Foreigner so long to get inducted.

"The reason Foreigner didn't get in until now is purely political," Maldonado said. "A factor is no longer in place there. Once that person was removed, Foreigner got in. I'll never understand why it took so long. It was way overdue. To put it in perspective, someone told Paul McCartney a few years ago that Foreigner wasn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. McCartney said, 'Foreigner is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? What the bleep?' Now Foreigner is in the Rock Hall, and the group lives on."