Foreigner's lead singer Kelly Hansen announces on live TV he's leaving the band after 20 years

Foreigner's lead singer has announced he's leaving the band after 20 years as front man.

Kelly Hansen, 64, shared the news himself as the band performed on The Voice in America on Tuesday evening.

He told viewers that guitarist Luis Maldonado would step in as frontman in his place.

Watch the video above.

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"After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner," he said to the audience.

"Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honours of my life. 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."

Hansen and Maldonado will continue to tour on their summer tour until the end of 2025 in what they dub a "passing of the torch".

Foreigner has had various line-ups over the years, with the current members now being Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier and Jeff Pilson.

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Keyboardist and vocalist Mick Jones is the only founding member still with the band.

"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."

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Foreigner is behind huge anthems such as I Want to Know What Love Is and Cold as Ice and first formed back in 1976.

Their original line-up included lead vocalist Lou Gramm, guitarist Ian McDonald, bassist Ed Gagliardi, drummer Dennis Elliott and keyboardist Al Greenwood.

Gramm decided to leave the band in 2003 after a strained relationship with Jones, with his replacement, Hansen, taking the lead singer role in 2005.

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Gramm stayed estranged from the band for over a decade, but eventually joined Foreigner for some performances during their 40th anniversary tour in 2017.

In November 2022, Foreigner announced a farewell tour which was supposed to run through until the end of 2024 but has been repeatedly extended.

The band will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026.

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Title: Foreigner's lead singer Kelly Hansen announces on live TV he's leaving the band after 20 years
Sourced From: celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/foreigner-lead-singer-quits-20-years-kelly-hansen/a1afcb25-ba7a-44aa-bed5-da14947fd550
Published Date: Wed, 21 May 2025 05:05:00 GMT