“What’s Wrong With Us?” Lou Gramm Gets Candid on Foreigner’s “Emotional” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rollercoaster

For nearly five decades, Foreigner entertained fans all over the world with hit songs like “Waiting for a Girl Like You”, “Cold as Ice” and the iconic “Juke Box Hero.” Throughout their time in the spotlight, the band gained countless accolades. But with each passing year, the band seemed to never catch the attention of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That seemed to change in 2024 when the organization decided to nominate the group. And according to singer Lou Gramm, “It was about time.” 

Sitting down with Inside of You With Michael Rosenbaum, Gramm discussed his time with Foreigner and how the band never landed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although knowing what he produced with the band, the singer seemed thrilled about the recent nomination. “It was about time. It was 20 years, at least 20 years, after our peers from the same year range that we started our band and other people started their bands and they were already in the Hall Of Fame 10 years.” 

Gramm even admitted that he wondered exactly what Foreigner needed to do in order to gain a spot or just to be recognized. “We were wondering, ‘What’s wrong with us?’ And we’re going, ‘How many hits? How many albums sold?’ And we just couldn’t figure out what in the world was going on.”

[RELATED: Listen to Previously Unheard Foreigner Song “Turning Back the Time,” Featuring Original Frontman Lou Gramm]

Lou Gramm Relieved About Nomination: “It’s Very Satisfying”

Eventually seeing Foreigner on the list, Gramm didn’t shy away from the emotions he felt. Explaining the entire process, he said, “Well, I was emotional when we got nominated, yeah. And then the votes start coming in from the upper echelon of the Hall Of Fame. Then members of the Hall Of Fame also carry some clout. And then the public at large also counts.”

Watching the votes add up, even Gramm was shocked at where they ended up. “We finished two out of 13 — number two out of 13. I think they took the top seven to induct.”

With the ceremony scheduled to air live on Disney+ on October 19th, Gramm expressed his relief with News 8 WROC, “It was a relief, because we have been eligible for a good long time. And we were wondering if we’d ever be in the Rock Hall Of Fame. We’ve aspired to be part of it, and it’s very satisfying now that we’re voted in. And I don’t think we could be any happier.”

(Photo by Aaron Davidson/WireImage)