Foreigner

Rating 2.5 Stars Mick Jones, the founder and only remaining original member of Foreigner, decided to take some time off before looking to form a new lineup in 2004. On July 25, 2004 in Santa Barbara, California at Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort, Jones appeared with a brand new version of Foreigner that included: Jeff Jacobs, Thom Gimbel, former Dokken bass player Jeff Pilson, current UFO drummer Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, who had also played with the brief Led Zeppelin reunions and his own band Bonham) and Bonham singer, Chaz West. West was hired for that show only and was eventually replaced by former Hurricane singer Kelly Hansen in 2005. Foreigner joined Def Leppard along with Styx on tour in 2007. They also toured extensively in their own right in 2007 – the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the band. Their album, Extended Versions, featured the new line-up playing all their classic hits live in concert in one of the most “studio like, clean sounding” live album recordings produced. They are currently working on a new album which will include a mix of both new songs as well as new takes on their old material. In September 2007 it was announced that Foreigner would join Pete Townshend, Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings, and Paolo Nutini as openers for the one-night-only Led Zeppelin reunion show in memory of Atlantic Records’ Ahmet Ertegun. The show took place on December 10, 2007, in London, England, having been postponed by 2 weeks due to Jimmy Page fracturing a finger. The band released a greatest hits anthology on July 15, 2008 titled No End in Sight: The Very Best of Foreigner. The anthology included all of their greatest hits plus some new live recordings and a new studio track, “Too Late”, which was their first new song release since 1994′s Mr. Moonlight, and the first recorded output of the new lineup. “Too Late” was released as a single on June 17, 2008. In 2008 Bonham parted ways with Foreigner. Bryan Head was then brought in to fill the drum chair. But his tenure was short and he also departed to be replaced by the returning Brian Tichy. In addition to touring small clubs and venues, the band frequently is engaged for private parties and conventions. Foreigner released their new album on October 2, 2009 titled Can’t Slow Down. It was one of several recent classic rock releases (AC/DC, The Eagles, Journey, and Kiss being four others) to be released exclusively through the Wal-Mart stores chain. Band Members Kelly Hansen – lead vocals (2005–present) Mick Jones – lead guitar, keyboards, bass, vocals (1976–present) Thom Gimbel – guitar, saxophone, flute, backing vocals (1993, 1995–present) Michael Bluestein – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (2008–present) Jeff Pilson – bass, backing vocals (2004–present) Brian Tichy – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1998–2000, 2007, 2008–present) Former members Lou Gramm – lead vocals (1976–1990, 1992–2003) Dennis Elliott – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1976–1991) Ian McDonald – guitar, keyboards, saxophone, flute, backing vocals (1976–1980) Al Greenwood – keyboards, synthesizers (1976–1980) Ed Gagliardi – bass, backing vocals (1976–1979) Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals (1979–1992) Mark Rivera – saxophone, flute, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1988, 1991–1992) Bob Mayo – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1988) Peter Reilich – keyboards, synthesizers (1981–1982) Larry Oakes – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1988) Lou Cortelezzi – saxophone (1988) Johnny Edwards – lead vocals, guitar (1990–1992) Larry Aberman – drums, percussion (1991–1992) Bruce Turgon – bass, backing vocals (1992–2003) Mark Schulman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1992–1995, 2000–2002) Scott Gilman – guitar, saxophone, backing vocals (1992, 1993–1995) Ron Wikso – drums, percussion (1995–1998) John Purdell – keyboards, synthesizers(filled in for Jacobs 2000) Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion (2002) Chaz West – lead vocals (2004) Jeff Jacobs – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1991–2007) Paul Mirkovich – keyboards, synthesizers (2007–2008) Jason Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004–2007, 2007–2008) Bryan Head – drums, percussion (2008) Source and more information: Wikipedia