KELLY HANSEN To Sit Out FOREIGNER's Latin American Tour Due To ' Some Issues'; LOU GRAMM To Step In As 'Guest' Singer

FOREIGNER singer Kelly Hansen has revealed that he will be forced to miss the band’s spring 2025 Latin American tour, which is scheduled to kick off on April 28 in Mexico City. He said in a statement: “Some issues have forced me to limit appearances outside of the USA this year, and this means, unfortunately, I will miss FOREIGNER‘s South American run. However, our incredible bandmate Luis Maldonado has been recording some of our hits in Spanish and he will be handling most of the vocals along with [original FOREIGNER singer] Lou Gramm who will be guesting with FOREIGNER for those shows. I know they will smash it!”

In other news, FOREIGNER has announced that the band’s three-disc set “Can’t Slow Down” has officially achieved gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The 2009 set, which included 12 brand new songs, a collection of remixes, and a live DVD, has added a major milestone in the band’s illustrious career.

Originally released on September 29, 2009, “Can’t Slow Down” is a comprehensive package that showcases FOREIGNER‘s dynamic range, from remixed hits recorded by the original band to an epic live performance video and 12 new songs featuring Hansen‘s stellar vocals. The new songs included “In Pieces” and “When It Comes To Love”, which were both featured in the Top 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts.

The new song set was produced by Mick Jones and Marti Frederiksen. The new recording of “Fool For You Anyway”, a song that originally appeared on FOREIGNER‘s first album was produced by the legendary Mark Ronson. The band lineup for this release includes Mick Jones, Kelly Hansen, Jeff Pilson, Tom Gimbel, Michael Bluestein and Brian Tichy.

Said Mick Jones: “I am so thrilled that FOREIGNER has received this milestone recognition for an album that contained twelve entirely new songs from the current FOREIGNER. It is especially important to me since my stepson, Mark Ronson, produced ‘Fool For You Anyway’ for this record. His amazing talents as an artist, producer, and songwriter continue to make me so proud.”

Hansen said: “I am blown away at the news of this fantastic accomplishment! Mick Jones and Marti Frederiksen did such an amazing job producing this record, and being a co-writer and singing all the lead vocals has been a high point for me professionally.”

As previously reported, Nova Scotian singer-actor Geordie Brown will join FOREIGNER as they embark on a 13-city Canadian tour this coming fall. The trek begins on October 21 in St. John’s, Newfoundland and concludes on November 7 in Kelowna, British Columbia. The tour includes a stop in Brown‘s hometown at Halifax’s Scotiabank Centre on October 24. Canadian rockers 54-40 will provide support.

FOREIGNER‘s upcoming Canadian tour serves as a prelude to the re-launch of their stage musical “Jukebox Hero: The Musical”, which is set to go into production in 2026. Brown originated the lead role in the 2018 workshop production of the musical in Calgary and Edmonton, before a sold-out run at Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre in 2019.

Brown proved himself worthy not only to audiences, but also to Jones, who had this to say: “I was most impressed by Geordie‘s performances of ‘Juke Box Hero: The Musical’ in Canada. He is not only a consummate vocalist, but a verified Broadway actor to boot. We look forward to welcoming him at our shows on FOREIGNER‘s 2025 Canadian tour.”

Brown is also a theater director and creator, and is known to East Coast Canadian audiences for his productions of “Stan Rogers: A Matter Of Heart” (Neptune Theatre),“The Songs Of The Rat Pack” and “Could I Have This Dance” featuring the music of international music icon and fellow Nova Scotian Anne Murray.

The last time Brown joined FOREIGNER on stage was for a surprise appearance on the final night of the band’s “Cold As Ice” tour in Halifax in March 2019. Brown has stayed in touch with the band in recent years and was in Cleveland this past fall when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

“I count myself so fortunate that they’re bringing me along on this next chapter with the musical, and this Canadian tour,” said Brown. “Right now, I’m most looking forward to our Halifax show, for my hometown crowd.”

After Gramm left FOREIGNER in 2003, Jones took some time off before regrouping a couple years later with an entirely new lineup, featuring Hansen and bassist Jeff Pilson, among others.

Gramm was the voice on FOREIGNER‘s biggest hits, including “Feels Like The First Time” and “Cold As Ice” from the band’s eponymous debut in 1977, and later songs like “Hot Blooded” and “I Want To Know What Love Is”.

Rounding out FOREIGNER‘s current lineup are Michael Bluestein on keyboards, Bruce Watson on guitar, Chris Frazier on drums and Luis Maldonado on guitar and vocals.