Contents

List of Foreigner band members

Foreigner is an American rock band from New York City. Formed in 1976, the group originally included lead vocalist Lou Gramm, lead guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Mick Jones, rhythm guitarist and woodwind player Ian McDonald, bassist Ed Gagliardi, drummer Dennis Elliott, and keyboardist Al Greenwood.

The band's current lineup includes lead vocalist Kelly Hansen (since 2005), lead guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Mick Jones (since 1976, and the only remaining original member), bassist Jeff Pilson (since 2004), keyboardist Michael Bluestein (since 2008), rhythm and lead guitarist Bruce Watson (since 2011), drummer Chris Frazier (since 2012), and rhythm guitarist Luis Maldonado (since 2021).^[1]

History[edit]

1976–1995[edit]

Foreigner was formed in April 1976 by former Leslie West Band guitarist Mick Jones, with the original lineup also including former Black Sheep vocalist Lou Gramm, former King Crimson keyboardist and woodwind player Ian McDonald, bassist Ed Gagliardi, former Ian Hunter drummer Dennis Elliott, and keyboardist Al Greenwood.^[2] After two albums – 1977's Foreigner and 1978's Double Vision – Gagliardi left the band in April 1979 and was replaced by Rick Wills, formerly of Small Faces.^[3] Following the release and promotion of 1979's Head Games, McDonald and Greenwood were fired in September 1980.^[4] The group remained a quartet and released 4 in 1981.^[5] For the album's promotional tour, McDonald's vacated spot was taken by Mark Rivera, while Bob Mayo and Peter Reilich performed live keyboards.^[4] Foreigner's lineup remained the same for Agent Provocateur and Inside Information, before Gramm announced his departure from the band in May 1990 due to differences with Jones and to focus on his solo career.^[6]

Jones replaced Gramm with Johnny Edwards, formerly of Montrose, Buster Brown, King Kobra, and Wild Horses, who contributed to the group's next album, Unusual Heat.^[7] Keyboardist Jeff Jacobs joined after the album's release.^[8] The Unusual Heat touring cycle was the last for Elliott, who left the band in 1993.^[9] The drummer had ceased working with the group in 1991, with Larry Aberman filling in on tour, before Mark Schulman joined in early 1992 in time to perform on three new tracks for The Very Best ... and Beyond.^[10] The new recordings also marked the return of Gramm, who rejoined Foreigner in May 1992 after working out his differences with Jones during the Los Angeles riots; he also brought his own bassist Bruce Turgon to replace the outgoing Wills.^[11] For a tour in promotion of the compilation, Thom Gimbel joined on guitar and saxophone, before Scott Gilman took over the following year when Gimbel returned to touring with Aerosmith.^[12] The group released and promoted its next album, Mr. Moonlight, in 1994.^[13]

1995 onwards[edit]

After the end of the Mr. Moonlight touring cycle, Gilman left Foreigner and Gimbel returned in his place.^[12] Around the same time, in January 1995, Schulman was replaced by Ron Wikso on drums.^[14] The group continued touring, but did not release any new material before Brian Tichy replaced Wikso in April 1998.^[15][16] Schulman returned for a second stint in 2000, before Denny Carmassi took over in time for the group's 25th anniversary tour in 2002.^[17] After the tour ended in early 2003, Gramm and Turgon left Foreigner, and the band was put on hiatus for over a year.^[18] Jones, now the sole remaining original member of the group, reformed Foreigner for a one-off charity show in July 2004 with a lineup including Gimbel and Jacobs, plus vocalist Chas West, bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Jason Bonham.^[19][20] Early the following year, the group reformed on a permanent basis, adding new frontman Kelly Hansen in place of West.^[21] The group's lineup remained stable until December 2007, when long-time member Jacobs left.^[8]

Jacobs was replaced for Foreigner's final shows of 2007 by Paul Mirkovich,^[22] who later made way for Michael Bluestein in early 2008.^[23] Bonham also left in August 2008,^[24] to be replaced briefly by Bryan Head^[25] and later by the returning Tichy.^[26] Foreigner released its first studio album in 15 years, Can't Slow Down, in 2009.^[27] After the subsequent touring cycle, Jason Sutter took over from Tichy in May 2010,^[28] although within a year he had been replaced by Schulman.^[29] During a tour in 2011, Jones was unable to perform a number of shows due to undisclosed reasons; he was replaced by Joel Hoekstra and later Bruce Watson for select dates, the latter of whom remained a full-time member of the group.^[30] Schulman left again in August 2012, with Tichy filling in before Chris Frazier's arrival the next month.^[26][31]

In recent years, Foreigner has reunited on several occasions with numerous past members. In July 2017, Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood and Ian McDonald performed a three-song encore with the current lineup of the group.^[32] In October, the same three alumni returned to perform five songs and join the current lineup for an encore of two more, in addition to Rick Wills and Dennis Elliott.^[33] Late the following year, the reunions expanded into a series of four special shows featuring all aforementioned past members, dubbed "Double Vision: Then and Now".^[34]

In 2021, Thom Gimbel retired from the band^[35] and was replaced by former Train guitarist Luis Maldonaldo.^[1] In 2023, Foreigner started its farewell tour, with founding (and last remaining original member) Mick Jones again absent for health reasons.^[36]

Members[edit]

Current[edit]

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Mick Jones	1976–present[2] (not touring 2011–2012, 2023–present)[37][38]	lead & rhythm guitar keyboards vocals	all Foreigner releases
	Jeff Pilson	2004–present[19][20][21]	bass backing vocals keyboards (since 2021) [39]	all Foreigner releases from Extended Versions (2006)[40] onwards, except Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019)[41]
	Kelly Hansen	2005–present[21]	lead vocals percussion
	Michael Bluestein	2008–present[23]	keyboards backing vocals	all Foreigner releases from Can't Slow Down (2009)[42] onwards, except Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019)[41]
	Bruce Watson	2011–present[30]	lead and rhythm guitars backing vocals	all Foreigner releases from The Best of Foreigner 4 & More (2014)[43] onwards, except Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019)[41]
	Chris Frazier	2012–present[31]	drums percussion
	Luis Maldonado	2021–present[1]	rhythm and lead guitar backing vocals bass[44]	none to date

Former[edit]

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Dennis Elliott	1976–1993[2][9] (inactive 1991–93) (plus select shows in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2018)[10][33][34]	drums percussion occasional backing vocals	all Foreigner releases from Foreigner (1977) to Unusual Heat (1991) Classic Hits Live (1993) Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019) [45][46][47][41]
	Lou Gramm	1976–1990 1992–2003 (plus select shows in 2017 and 2018) [2][6][11][18][32][34]	lead vocals percussion	all Foreigner releases from Foreigner (1977) to Inside Information (1987), and from The Very Best ... and Beyond (1992) – three new studio recordings –toAll Access Tonight: Live in Concert 25 (2003) Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019) [45][48][49][50][41]
	Ian McDonald	1976–1980[2][4] (plus select shows in 2017, 2018, and 2019) (died 2022)[32][33][34]	rhythm and lead guitars keyboards saxophone flute backing vocals	Foreigner (1977) Double Vision (1978) Head Games (1979) Classic Hits Live (1993) Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019) [45][51][52][47][41]
	Al Greenwood	1976–1980[2][4] (plus select shows in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2023)[32][33][34][53]	keyboards synthesizers
	Ed Gagliardi	1976–1979[2][3] (died 2014)	bass backing vocals	Foreigner (1977) Double Vision (1978) Classic Hits Live (1993) Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019) [45][51][47][41]
	Rick Wills	1979–1991[3][11] (plus select shows in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023)[33][34][53]		all Foreigner releases from Head Games (1979)[52]toClassic Hits Live (1993)[47]
	Johnny Edwards	1990–1992[7]	lead vocals rhythm and lead guitars	Unusual Heat (1991)[46]
	Jeff Jacobs	1991–2007[8]	keyboards backing vocals	The Very Best ... and Beyond (1992) – three new studio recordings all Foreigner releases from Live at Deer Creek (1994) to Live: Soundstage (2009) [49][54][55]
	Mark Schulman	1992–1995 2000–2002 2011–2012 [10][17][29][26]	drums backing vocals	The Very Best ... and Beyond (1992) – three new studio recordings Live at Deer Creek (1994) Mr. Moonlight (1994) [49][54][56]
	Thom Gimbel	1992–1993 1995–2021 [12][35]	rhythm guitar saxophone flute keyboards backing vocals	all Foreigner releases from All Access Tonight: Live in Concert 25 (2003)[50]toLive in Concert (2019),[57] except Live at the Rainbow '78 (2019)[41]
	Bruce Turgon	1992–2003[11][18]	bass backing vocals	The Very Best ... and Beyond (1992) – three new studio recordings Live at Deer Creek (1994) Mr. Moonlight (1994) All Access Tonight: Live in Concert 25 (2003) [49][54][56][50]
	Scott Gilman	1993–1995[12]	rhythm and lead guitars saxophone backing vocals	Live at Deer Creek (1994) Mr. Moonlight (1994) [54][56]
	Ron Wikso	1995–1998[14][16]	drums	none
	Brian Tichy	1998–2000 2008–2010 (plus fill-in shows in 2007, 2011 and 2012) [15][16][17][26]	drums percussion	Can't Slow Down (2009)[42]
	Denny Carmassi	2002–2003[17]	drums	All Access Tonight: Live in Concert 25 (2003)[50]
	Jason Bonham	2004–2008[19][20][21][24]		all Foreigner releases from Extended Versions (2006)[40]toCan't Slow Down (2009)[42]
	Chas West	2004[19][20]	lead vocals	none
	Paul Mirkovich	2007–2008[22]	keyboards
	Bryan Head	2008[25]	drums
	Jason Sutter	2010–2011[28]	drums backing vocals	Can't Slow Down ... When It's Live! (2010)[58]

Touring[edit]

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Details	Release contributions
	Ian Wallace	1977 (died 2007)	drums	Wallace performed alongside Elliott, who had broken his right hand, during select tour dates throughout 1977.[59]
	Mark Rivera	1981–1988 1991–1992	rhythm guitars saxophone flute keyboards backing vocals	Rivera, Mayo and Reilich all joined the touring group in 1981, Rivera and Mayo contributed to multiple studio albums.[4]	4 (1981)[60] Agent Provocateur (1984)[61] Inside Information (1987)[48]
	Bob Mayo	1981–1988 (died 2004)	keyboards synthesizers piano rhythm guitar backing vocals		4 (1981)[60] Agent Provocateur (1984)[61]
	Peter Reilich	1981–1982	keyboards		none
	Larry Oakes	1988	rhythm and lead guitars keyboards	Oakes and Cortelezzi took over from Rivera and Mayo, who were temporarily unavailable, during a tour in 1988.[62]
	Lou Cortelezzi		saxophone
	Larry Aberman	1991–1992	drums	Aberman filled in for Elliott following his departure in November 1991, before Schulman arrived the next year.[62]
	John Purdell	2000 (died 2003)	keyboards backing vocals	Purdell, who produced several songs for the band, performed with Foreigner on the Jukebox Hero Tour 2000.[63]
	Doug Aldrich	2010	lead guitar	Aldrich performed with Foreigner on May 22, 2010, at the Mandalay Bay Events CenterinParadise, Nevada.[64]
	Joel Hoekstra	2011		Hoekstra filled in for Jones, unavailable due to illness, during a 2011 tour with his other group Night Ranger.[65]
	Ollie Marland	2012	keyboards	After taking a leave of absence due to cancer, Bluestein was temporarily replaced by Marland and then Hilland.[66][67]
	Derek Hilland	2012–2013

Session[edit]

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Ian Lloyd	1976 1977–1978 1980–1981 1983–1984	backing vocals	Foreigner (1977) Double Vision (1978) 4 (1981) Agent Provocateur (1984) Inside Information (1987) Unusual Heat (1991) Mr. Moonlight (1994) [45][51][60][61][48][46][56]
	David Paich	1977–1978	string arrangements	Double Vision (1978)[51]
	Hugh McCracken	1980–1981 1987 (died 2013)	slide guitar spanish guitar	4 (1981) Inside Information (1987) [60][48]
	Larry Fast	1980–1981 1983–1984	synthesizers	4 (1981) Agent Provocateur (1984) [60][61]
	Thomas Dolby	1980–1981		4 (1981)[60]
	Michael Fonfara	1980–1981 (died 2021)	keyboard textures
	Junior Walker	1980–1981 (died 1995)	saxophone
	Robert John "Mutt" Lange	1980–1981	backing vocals
	Alannah Currie	1983–1984		Agent Provocateur (1984)[61]
	Joe Leeway
	Don Harper
	Jennifer Holliday
	New Jersey Mass Choir of the GMWA
	Wally Badarou		analog and digital synthesizers
	Brian Eddolls		synthesizers
	Dave Lebolt
	Jack Waldman	1983–1984 (died 1986)
	Tom Bailey	1983–1984 1987	synthesizers additional keyboards backing vocals	Agent Provocateur (1984) Inside Information (1987) [61][48]
	Kevin Jones	1987	Synclavier	Inside Information (1987)[48]
	Sammy Merendino		electronic percussion
	Peter-John Vettese		keyboards
	Richard Cottle	1990		Unusual Heat (1991)[46]
	Tommy Mandel
	Terry Thomas		keyboards guitars backing vocals
	Tony Beard		electronic percussion
	Felix Krish		bass
	Rachele Cappelli		backing vocals
	Angela Cappelli
	Lani Groves
	Vaneese Thomas
	Tawatha Agee	1993–1994		Mr. Moonlight (1994)[56]
	Robin Clark
	Paulette McWilliams
	Randy Cantor		keyboards additional guitars
	Duane Eddy		lead guitar
	Billy Bremner		additional guitars
	Luis Enriques		percussion
	Marti Frederiksen	2009	keyboards guitars percussion backing vocals	Can't Slow Down (2009)[42]
	Russ Irwin		keyboards
	Ryan Brown		drums
	Jason Paige		backing vocals
	Suzie McNeil

Timeline[edit]

Lineups[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Foreigner official website