FOREIGNER
This British-American rock band came into existence in the year 1976 in New York City. English musicians Mick Jones and Lou Gramm in collaboration with a Briton Ian McDonald led to the formation of this band. The name foreigner was as a result of the mixed nationalities of the members of the group. One of their greatest hits to date remains to be ‘I Want To Know What Love Is.’ This song topped both the United States Charts as well as those in the United Kingdom, proving to be a worldwide hit. This band is ranked as one of the best selling bands of all time as they have made more than eighty million sales in the world, 37.5 of which were in the United States.
Music played
This band plays music that falls into the categories of hard rock, soft rock, and pop rock.
Members
Current members
The group comprises of seven members at the moment. Mick Jones plays the lead guitar, keyboards and sings backing vocals. He has been in the band since 1976. Thom Gimbel plays the rhythm guitar, flute, saxophone and sings backing vocals. Jeff Pilson sings backing vocals and is in charge of the bass. Kelly Hansen sings the lead vocals and has been in the band since 2005. Michael Bluestein is in charge of the keyboards and backing vocals. Brice Watson joined the group in 2011 and is in charge of the rhythm and the lead guitar. Chris Frazier is in charge of the drums and came to the band in 2012.
Touring musicians
This band has any musicians who travel with it to enhance the success of their performance. Such musicians include Ian Wallace, Derek Hiland, Bob Mayo, Olie Marland, Mark Riviera, Joel Hoekstra, Peter Reilich, Deen Castronovo, Lou Cortelezzi, Doug Aldrich, Larry Oakes, Chas West, Larry Aberman, John Purdell and Scott Gilman.
Former members
As is the case with many bands, some conflicts arise amongst the group members leading to splitting. Foreigner has had its fair share of such issues. Some of its former members include Dennis Elliot, Rick Wills, Lou Gram, Ed Gagliardi, Al Greenwood, Ian McDonald, Johnny Edwards, Bryan Head, Jeff Jacobs, Paul Mirkovich, Mark Schulman, Jason Bonham, Denny Carmassi, Bruce Turgon, Ron Wikso, Brian Tichy and Scot Gilman.
tour dates in the UK
Foreigner will be touring the UK in November 2018, making four appearances in total. On the 26th, they will be performing at Wolverhampton Civic Hall in Wolverhampton before moving on to Royal Albert Hall in London on the 27th. After that, they will make two more appearances: The Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow on the 29th and a final performance at 02 Apollo Manchester in Manchester on the 30th. That will mark the end of their 2017 appearances. They will perform at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City on the 25th of February, 2018.
From there, he will move on to the AECC BHGE Arena in Aberdeen on the 13th, the Sage Gateshead in Gateshead on the 14th, Genting Area in Birmingham on the 16th and Brighton Center in Brighton on the 17th.
Foreigner is a band whose music traverses all corners of the world based on its richness and its ability to reach into people’s hearts.
