Kelly Hansen Bids Farewell: A New Era for Foreigner Begins

Kelly Hansen Bids Farewell: A New Era for Foreigner Begins

Kelly Hansen, the lead singer of Foreigner, bid farewell to the band with two final shows at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Hansen, who has been with the band for 20 years, performed most of the songs during the shows but gave way to his successor, Luis Maldonado, for a rendition of “Juke Box Hero.” Maldonado, who joined the band in 2021, will be taking over as the new lead singer of Foreigner.

The setlist for both nights featured a collection of the band's greatest hits, and the Egg Harbor Township High School Choir joined them for an encore performance of “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Before the final show, Hansen delivered an emotional farewell speech, thanking the band's crew, managers, audience, friends, and family for their support throughout his time with Foreigner.

Bassist Jeff Pilson also expressed his gratitude for Hansen's contributions to the band over the past two decades. Foreigner will continue their musical journey with singer-actor Geordie Brown leading the band on their upcoming Canadian tour. They will then be joined by original singer Lou Gramm for a US tour in December, where Gramm will perform select songs alongside Maldonado.

As Kelly Hansen bids farewell to Foreigner, the band is gearing up for new chapters with different lead singers for their upcoming tours. The legacy of Foreigner continues to evolve, and fans can look forward to experiencing the band's timeless music with a fresh perspective in the post-Hansen era.