NEED TO KNOW
- Kelly Hansen announced his Foreigner exit during NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday, May 20
- Guitarist Luis Maldonado will replace him as lead singer
- The rock band that brought fans hits like “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like The First Time” and more will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026
Kelly Hansen has announced he will no longer be the lead singer for Foreigner.
The 64-year-old rock star shared the news himself as the band performed on NBC’s The Voice on Tuesday, May 20. During the episode, it was revealed that guitarist Luis Maldonado would step in, making for an emotional “passing of the torch” moment.
“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Hansen in a statement. “But it’s time to pass the mic. Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future. I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.”
Mick Jones is the only founding member still with the band. Current members include Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier and Jeff Pilson.
The English musician and songwriter, 80, added, “In 1976, my goal was to assemble the finest group of musicians I could find. Results have shown that it worked!”
In addition to keyboardist and vocalist Jones, Foreigner’s original line-up included lead vocalist Lou Gramm, rhythm guitarist and woodwind player Ian McDonald, bassist Ed Gagliardi, drummer Dennis Elliott and keyboardist Al Greenwood.
“About 30 years later, [drummer] Jason Bonham encouraged me to do it all over again and create a brand-new Foreigner, and the magic was still there,” Jones said of adding new members.
“I was especially fortunate in the choice of lead singer,” Jones continued. “Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs.”
The U.K. native praised Hansen for “his boundless energy and flawless talent,” saying it helped the new group “climb the mountain and set up the opportunity for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to bring us home.”
“I wish Kelly great happiness in his next endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position,” Jones said. “Luis was my choice as a guitarist and he has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to incredible reviews. He will soon lead the charge that will carry us forward to new heights.”
Hansen joined the group in 2005 as Gramm’s replacement.
In April, the 75-year-old announced he and Foreigner were reuniting to go on tour more than 20 years after he left the band.
During an interview with Billboard last month, Gramm confessed that the band’s 2024 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame made him come to terms with past issues within the group.
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“Ever since [the induction] it felt like, personally, I had to find a way to let go of some of the things I’ve been holding onto for years — and, like the song says, let it be,” he told the publication at the time. “It’s a hackneyed sentiment, but it’s true — life’s too short.”
Foreigner will celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026. To mark the occasion, the “Juke Box Hero” hitmakers are set to perform in Australia, have a 50th anniversary tour and be featured in a documentary.
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