In a shock second that introduced each judges and followers to their toes, Kelly Hansen, longtime lead vocalist of legendary rock band FOREIGNER, introduced he is stepping down dwell throughout a particular look on NBC‘s “The Voice”. After 20 years fronting the band with one in all rock’s most iconic catalogs, Hansen revealed he shall be leaving FOREIGNER on the finish of the summer time 2025 tour.
In a shifting phase that aired nationally, Hansen launched Luis Maldonado as his official successor — a second that symbolized each an finish and a daring new starting for the powerhouse group.
“Being the voice of FOREIGNER has been one of many biggest honors of my life,” stated Hansen. “However it is time to go the mic. Luis has the voice, the power, and the soul to hold these songs into the longer term. I could not be prouder handy this off to him.”
FOREIGNER chief and founder Mick Jones had this to say: “In 1976, my objective was to assemble the best group of musicians I may discover. Outcomes have proven that it labored! About thirty years later, Jason Bonham inspired me to do it another time 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” Mick added. “His boundless power and flawless expertise has helped us climb the mountain and arrange the chance for FOREIGNER vocalist and guitarist Luis Maldonado to carry us dwelling.
“I want Kelly nice happiness in his subsequent endeavors after our summer time tour, and I look ahead to welcoming Luis to his new place. 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 unbelievable critiques. He’ll quickly lead the cost that may carry us ahead to new heights.”
Earlier than Luis joined FOREIGNER, he was greatest often called the guitarist for TRAIN and for his work with Lisa Marie Presley. He now steps into the highlight as FOREIGNER‘s new lead singer. Maldonado brings a wealthy mix of vocal energy, stage charisma, and musical versatility that makes him a pure match to steer the subsequent chapter of the band’s journey.
“This music has been a part of my life for so long as I can bear in mind,” stated Maldonado. “I am able to honor FOREIGNER‘s legacy and produce my coronary heart to each efficiency.”
Hansen joined FOREIGNER in 2005 and performed an important function in revitalizing the band’s dwell presence. His highly effective vocals and magnetic stage presence helped introduce FOREIGNER‘s timeless hits to a brand new technology of followers throughout the globe.
FOREIGNER‘s tour continues by 2025 and can characteristic each Hansen and Maldonado on stage in a symbolic handoff. The transition coincides with main milestones for the band, together with subsequent 12 months’s fiftieth anniversary of its formation in New York in 1976.
FOREIGNER changed authentic singer Lou Gramm with Hansen. Jones, the one remaining authentic member of FOREIGNER, suffered from some well being points starting in 2011, ultimately leading to coronary heart surgical procedure in 2012. In February 2024, Jones revealed on social media that he was battling Parkinson’s illness, which defined his absence from FOREIGNER‘s dwell reveals since 2022.
Again in March 2023, Hansen instructed FOX17 Rock & Overview about FOREIGNER‘s announcement that it was embarking on a farewell tour: “I wanna be clear: I’ve a lot gratitude for all individuals who have supported this band over the a long time and have been there unrelentingly. And I simply love that, and I wish to honor that by not persevering with to go on in a approach the place I am unable to carry out these songs the way in which they should be [performed]. It is actually exhausting to sing these songs, and it will get more durable yearly… There are exhausting songs to sing once you’re younger. And it looks like I’ve to surrender one thing yearly as a way to keep the established order of my vocal high quality. And I try this, and I get it and I recognize it, however I do not wanna be ready the place I’ve seen different musicians the place I take a look at them or I see a present and I form of go, ‘Wow, that is actually disappointing.’ I’ve no need for that. I’ve no want to do this. I do not crave in some way the highlight or adulation or one thing that makes me do it approach past the place I ought to. I would like this band to exit on high with these songs being sturdy and the supply being sturdy and that be the reminiscence — not one thing lesser than it needs to be.”
In a separate interview, Kelly was requested by the 96.1 KLPX radio station what led to FOREIGNER‘s resolution to stage what was being billed because the band’s last-ever run of reveals. He stated: “One among my issues that was essential to me is that I not be on the market doing these songs that I should not actually be doing anymore ‘trigger I am unable to do them anymore. I wanna do these songs justice and ship them sturdy and vibrant after which give up whereas we’re forward like that. I’ve seen far too many people who find themselves — for in all probability many various causes — nonetheless on the market when perhaps they should not be. And I suppose everybody has their very own view of their vainness, whether or not it is visually or instrumentally or vocally, and I believe that we’re actually at a peak proper now. It is getting more durable and more durable to do that actually tough, difficult however great catalog of songs yearly, and I simply wanna do them proper. And I do not wanna begin having to do much less of them proper.”
Chargeable for a few of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems together with “Juke Field Hero”, “Chilly As Ice”, “Sizzling Blooded”, “Ready For A Lady Like You”, “Feels Like The First Time”, “Pressing”, “Head Video games”, “Say You Will” and the worldwide No. 1 hit and member of Spotify‘s unique Billions Membership “I Need To Know What Love Is”, Rock And Roll Corridor Of Famers FOREIGNER nonetheless rock the charts virtually 50 years into the sport with huge airplay and continued Billboard 200 album success. Streams of FOREIGNER‘s hits are over 15 million per week.