The lead singer of Foreigner shocked longtime followers with a shock announcement during Tuesday’s season finale of The Voice.
Following the band’s electrifying efficiency, Kelly Hansen—who joined the group in 2005—revealed that he’ll be stepping down after almost 20 years on the mic.
‘After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will probably be my final 12 months with Foreigner,’ Hansen instructed the viewers. ‘At the top of this summer season, a brand new nice voice will sing these songs for you; my buddy Luis Maldonado.’
In a later assertion, he added: ‘Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of many best honors of my life. But it’s time to move the mic. Luis has the voice, the power, and the soul to hold these songs into the long run. I couldn’t be prouder at hand this off to him.’
Maldonado, the band’s longtime guitarist, added in an announcement: ‘This music has been a part of my life for so long as I can keep in mind. I’m able to honor Foreigner’s legacy and convey my coronary heart to each efficiency.’
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The lead singer of Foreigner shocked longtime followers with a shock announcement during Tuesday’s season finale of The Voice
Following the band’s electrifying efficiency, Kelly Hansen—who joined the group in 2005—revealed that he’ll be stepping down after almost 20 years on the mic
Foreigner shot to fame within the late Nineteen Seventies and dominated the charts by means of the ’80s with a string of rock anthems and ballads, together with Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, Urgent and Juke Box Hero.
The band hit the stage during The Voice finale with a powerhouse medley of their classics, together with Feels Like the First Time and the fan-favorite ballad I Want to Know What Love Is.
Foreigner got here collectively in New York City in 1976, with guitarist Mick Jones assembling a powerhouse lineup.
It included singer Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Ed Gagliardi, and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald.
In an announcement, Jones stated, ‘In 1976, my objective was to assemble the best group of musicians I might discover. Results have proven that it labored!
‘About thirty years later, Jason Bonham inspired me to do it yet again and create a brand-new Foreigner, and the magic was nonetheless there. I used to be particularly lucky within the selection of lead singer.
‘Kelly Hansen is among the greatest entrance males in our enterprise and during the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs. His boundless power and flawless expertise has helped us climb the mountain and arrange the chance for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to convey us house.’
He concluded, ‘I want Kelly nice happiness in his subsequent endeavors after our summer season tour, and I look ahead to welcoming Luis to his new place.
‘After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will probably be my final 12 months with Foreigner,’ Hansen instructed the viewers. ‘At the top of this summer season, a brand new nice voice will sing these songs for you; my buddy Luis Maldonado’ (Foreigner: Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Kelly Hansen, Luis Maldonado, Chris Frazier, Jeff Pilso)
Foreigner shot to fame within the late Nineteen Seventies and dominated the charts by means of the ’80s with a string of rock anthems and ballads, together with Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, Urgent and Juke Box Hero; (Hansen with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler)
The band hit the stage during The Voice finale with a powerhouse medley of their classics, together with Feels Like the First Time and the fan-favorite ballad I Want to Know What Love Is.
‘Luis was my selection as a guitarist and he has already proven us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to unimaginable critiques.
‘He will quickly lead the cost that can carry us ahead to new heights.’
Foreigner have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame final 12 months, although the present lineup wasn’t included within the honor, as they weren’t a part of the unique band.
The inductees included founding members Jones, Elliott, Gagliard (who handed away in 2014), Gramm, Greenwood, McDonald (who died in 2022), and longtime bassist Rick Wills.
Foreigner is at the moment touring North America by means of November, with a cease at Louisville’s Bourbon & Beyond pageant in September, and a string of headlining exhibits set for 2026 on the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas.
