After an impressive two decades serving as the lead vocalist for the iconic rock band Foreigner, Kelly Hansen has officially announced his departure from the band, which will take place at the conclusion of their summer tour in 2025. This decision marks a significant moment in the band’s history, as Hansen has been an integral part of their success.

During a recent performance on the widely-discussed show The Voice, Hansen expressed his gratitude, stating, “Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life. However, it’s time to pass the mic.” This heartfelt declaration resonates with fans who have followed his journey and the band’s evolution over the years.

Stepping into Hansen’s shoes will be Luis Maldonado, a talented multi-instrumentalist who joined Foreigner in 2021. Maldonado recently showcased his vocal prowess while leading the band during their Latin America tour, which Hansen was unable to attend due to residency complications. Notably, the original lead singer, Lou Gramm, made a special appearance at those concerts, adding to the excitement and nostalgia.

“Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future,” Hansen remarked, expressing confidence in his successor. “I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.” This sentiment is echoed by founding member and guitarist Mick Jones, who, despite not performing with the band since 2022, is optimistic about this transition amidst his own health challenges, including his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men in our business,” Jones said in a press release. “Over the last twenty years, he has breathed new life into our songs.” His acknowledgment of Hansen’s vibrant energy and impressive talent highlights the impact Hansen has made on the band’s legacy. Jones further stated, “I wish Kelly great happiness in his next endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position. Luis was my choice as a guitarist, and he has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to incredible reviews.”

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In November of 2022, Foreigner announced their farewell tour, initially scheduled to conclude by the end of 2024, but this schedule has since been extended multiple times, reflecting the band’s enduring popularity. Hansen, now 61 years old, shared his thoughts on the challenges of performing classic rock songs, stating, “This catalog of songs is extremely challenging for a rock tenor vocalist like myself to sing.” He acknowledged the difficulties of maintaining vocal performance at such a high level, indicating, “I never would have thought in a million years I’d be singing these songs in [these] keys at this age, and I don’t know how much longer I can do that at the level I need to.” He emphasized his commitment to authenticity, stating, “If I’m not doing it for real, then I shouldn’t be doing it.”

The recent press release announcing Hansen’s departure has shifted the narrative, as it no longer refers to the current tour dates as part of a farewell tour. “[Luis] will soon lead the change that will carry us to new heights,” declares Jones, signaling a new chapter for the iconic band.