Music Thursday: Rock Musicopedia: Foreigner

The history of music shows that it really does take talent and determination to fully succeed. Some bands lasted few years, some few months but some bands remain active till today. Despite the change in members, people's love for music gives them energy and still pushes them forward. Formed over 30 years ago, one of the world's best rock/hardrock bands is still in the game, touring worldwide with only one original member (Mick Jones) that led Foreigner since 1976.

Every music enthusiast should recognize Lou Gramm's voice in most Foreigner smash hits that made them sell over 70 million albums worldwide that turned out to be multi-platinum bestsellers and charts toppers.

Foreigner (formed 1976) was established by Mick Jones and Ian McDonald, who's an ex King Crismon member. They were joined by Lou Gramm, Dennis Elliott, All Greenwood and Ed Gagliardi. The name 'Foreigner' was given after the fact that only Jones, McDonald and Elliott were British, while the rest was American.

Band's first album, released March '77 brought to daylight first hits like 'Cold As Ice' and 'Feels Like The First Time', with more hits to come with next albums. For their 3^rd album 'Head Games' Gagliardi was replaced with Rick Willis, and later on in 1980 goodbye was said by Jones to Greenwood and McDonald, making the band a quartet. Their 4^th album called simply '4' was their second bestselling album in career with hits like 'Urgent' or 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' and others. While on tour promoting '4' Foreigner invited new band members for support: Bob Mayo, Mark Rivera and Peter Reilich, and only the first two made it till 1988.

Year 1984 brought the best hit single from Foreigner 'I Want To Know What Love Is' from album 'Agent Provocateur' that was fully written by Jones and performed with New Yersey Mass Choir. Another hit single from that album is 'That Was Yesterday' (link below to listen).

Three years after Foreigner releases another album 'Inside Information' with more hits like 'Say You Will' and goes on tour in Europe, Australia and Japan. In the late 80's Jones and Gramm get involved in solo projects with highly successful solo albums from both of them. With Gramm on tour, Jones hired new lead singer – Johnny Edwards with whom Foreigner recorded new and their worst ever album 'Unusual Heat'. The members changed again until Gramm's return in 1992 when the band released their The Very Best Of... album, another success. After that, Foreigner made their second worst kind of 'comeback' album 'Mr. Moonlight' that gained terrible reviews.

Foreigner days were numbered when in 1997, Lou Gramm was diagnosed with brain tumor and underwent a surgery. Medications had huge impact on his weight and general appearance, making him lost his gift – one of the best singing voices ever. Gramm was never able to sing like before.

For Foreigner's 25^th anniversary in 2002 their best albums were remastered and enhanced and packed with extra goods. It was also a year when for the last time Gramm and Jones joined forces t play together, despite Gramm's condition. In 2003 they both went separate ways, and one year later Jones gathered new members and after some more changes the new Foreigner is finally here: Jones, Thom Gimbel, Kelly Hansen (lead singer), Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Jason Sutter.

Lou Gramm got himself a new band and is now playing Christian rock. In 2010 and 2011 Foreigner collaborated or will join on stage such bands as Styx, Kansas and Journey.

Check out some of the band's greatest hits!

xoxo,

Kasia