When Foreigner embarks on their Latin American tour next month, they will do so without longtime lead vocalist Kelly Hansen. Instead, former lead singer Lou Gramm will helm these shows. Hansen, 63, is also sitting out the band’s Canadian tour this fall. Recently, the California rocker cleared up the reason behind his absences and assured fans that they haven’t seen the last of him on the road.
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What’s Keeping Kelly Hansen From Traveling With Foreigner?
In a statement published by Blabbermouth.net, Kelly Hansen explained that residency issues are keeping him from traveling overseas with Foreigner this year.
“[This] means that I will miss some international shows,” Hansen explained. “Foreigner’s upcoming South American run will feature our incredible bandmate Luis Maldonado, who has been recording some of our hits in Spanish, and he will be handling most of the lead vocals along with Lou Gramm, who will be guesting with Foreigner for those shows. I know they will smash it!”
Touching moment in which Foreigner singer Kelly Hansen, at a recent show, offers a teary eyed THANK YOU to fans. #rock #music pic.twitter.com/9ODyYm5z17
— Mitch Lafon (@mitchlafon) April 18, 2024
Foreigner is touring in Canada this fall as a precursor to the launch of Juke Box Hero, The Musical, which will hit the stages in 2026. While Luis Maldonado will handle vocals for those shows, “we have asked Canada’s own Geordie Brown, who starred in the original workshop productions in Calgary and Edmonton and the sold-out run in Toronto at the Ed Mirvish Theater, to sing a few songs in our set,” Hansen said. “I know Luis and Geordie will do a great job on this leg, and I can’t wait to hear how it goes!”
Hansen Is Not Gone For Good
Kelly Hansen clarified that he will take the stage with his bandmates as Foreigner headlines the pre-race concert at the Long Beach Grand Prix on April 12, continuing through the year with over 60 more shows.
“I am so looking forward to continuing my journey with this incredible band,” Hansen said.
After finding moderate success with the heavy metal band Hurricane in the ’80s and ’90s, Hansen joined Foreigner in 2005. He replaced founding member Lou Gramm, who exited the band in 2003 due to ongoing conflicts with guitarist Mick Jones.
Featured image by Steve Jennings/Getty Images
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