Kelly Hansen, the longtime lead singer for Foreigner, surprised fans with his announcement of leaving the band, and he did it in true rock star style.
The 64-year-old, who became part of the band back in 2005, made the revelation during NBC’s season finale of “The Voice” on Tuesday. After performing their classic 1977 hit “Feeling Like the First Time,” he addressed the audience. “After 20 magical years with this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,” Hansen said. “At the end of this summer, a new and wonderful voice will sing these songs for you—my friend Luis Maldonado.”
Maldonado, who initially joined as a guitarist in 2021 and stepped into the role of lead singer for the recent Latin American tour, took the stage to sing “Juke Box Hero,” one of the band’s radio hits.
The night wrapped up with a heartfelt performance of “I Want to Know What Love Is,” where Hansen and Maldonado shared the spotlight.
“Being a part of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Hansen. “But I think it’s time to pass the microphone. Lewis has the voice, energy, and soul to carry these songs forward. I couldn’t think of handing them over to just anyone.”
Maldonado expressed his readiness for this new chapter, vowing to “respect the Foreigner heritage.” He added, “This music has been in my life for as long as I can remember. I’m ready to honor this legacy with every performance.”
The only original band member still actively involved is Mick Jones, who, at 80, hasn’t performed live with Foreigner since 2023. He remarked, “In 1976, my aim was to gather the best musicians I could find. The results show that it worked!”
Jones praised Hansen, calling him “one of the best frontmen” and acknowledging his contributions over the last two decades. “His endless energy and talent have opened doors for someone like Luis Maldonado to take us home,” Jones stated.
Hansen is set to formally step down at the end of the summer tour, where he and Maldonado will perform together.
I guess there were some creative differences behind his exit, especially after he replaced original lead singer Lou Gramm. Recently, Gramm announced that he would tour with Foreigner for his final run, appearing as a special guest in a South American show.
While Hansen missed those concerts due to scheduling conflicts, he and Gramm seem to have a complicated history. It’s all a bit messy, I think.
Foreigner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2024, with original members like Jones, Gramm, and others being honored, although Hansen’s name was not on that list.
Current members now include Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Brusteen, Chris Frazier, and Jeff Pilson, as the band gears up for a North American tour that will extend through November, celebrating their legacy as they approach their 50th anniversary in 2026.
