Foreigner

Hard-rocking hit makers, known for their power ballads and catchy anthems, Foreigner celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026.

The hybrid rock band got its start in 1976 when Portsmouth-born musician Mick Jones found himself stranded in New York City after the Leslie West Band broke up.

While searching to put together a new group, he found the right chemistry with two fellow Brits – former King Crimson member Ian McDonald, a multi instrumentalist from Middlesex, and Peckham-raised drummer Dennis Elliot. He also connected with a trio of Americans – singer Lou Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood and bassist Ed Gagliardi. Jones came up with their band name as a nod to the fact that at least three members would always be foreigners no matter where they played.

When Foreigner’s debut self-titled album came out in 1977, it immediately landed them three hit singles: 'Cold As Ice', 'Feels Like The First Time' and 'Long, Long Way From Home'.

Over the following four decades, the band would go on to rack up 10 multi-platinum albums – with total sales exceeding 80 million – as well as 16 top 30 hits including 'Juke Box Hero', 'Waiting For A Girl Like You', 'Urgent', 'Hot Blooded', 'Head Games', 'Say You Will', 'Dirty White Boy' and their worldwide No.1 hit 'I Want To Know What Love Is'.

Hailed as one of the most popular rock acts on the planet, Foreigner continue to sell out tours. In 2017 the band celebrated their 40th anniversary with a huge North American tour and also embarked on the Juke Box Heroes Tour in 2018 and the Cold As Ice Tour in 2019.

Jones is the only remaining original member of Foreigner with the current line-up now including Kelly Hansen on lead vocals, Jeff Pilson on bass, Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado on guitar, Michael Bluestein on keyboards and Chris Frazier on drums.