In a surprising announcement, Kelly Hansen, who has been the lead singer of Foreigner for an impressive 20 years, has confirmed that he will step away from the band at the conclusion of their summer tour in 2025. This change marks a significant moment in the band’s history, as Hansen has become synonymous with Foreigner’s sound during his tenure.

“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Hansen expressed during the band’s recent performance on the popular yet controversial television show The Voice. “But it’s time to pass the mic,” he stated, emphasizing the need for a new chapter in both his life and the band’s journey.

Hansen’s role will be taken over by Luis Maldonado, a talented multi-instrumentalist who has been part of Foreigner since 2021. Maldonado showcased his vocal prowess while leading the band during their recent tour across Latin America, which Hansen missed due to residency complications. The band’s original lead singer, Lou Gramm, made a special guest appearance at those Latin shows, adding a nostalgic touch to the performances.

“Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future,” Hansen remarked. “I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.” This sentiment is shared by Mick Jones, founding songwriter and guitarist for Foreigner, who has not performed live with the group since 2022 due to health issues, including a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Jones expressed his satisfaction with the transition, saying, “Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs.”

Jones continued, praising Hansen’s boundless energy and talent, which have contributed significantly to the band’s success. “His flawless talent has helped us climb the mountain and set up the opportunity for Luis to bring us home. I wish Kelly great happiness in his future endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis into his new role. Luis was my choice as a guitarist, and he has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals during our South American tour, which received incredible reviews.”

In November 2022, Foreigner announced a farewell tour that was initially expected to conclude by the end of 2024 but has since been extended multiple times. This ongoing journey reflects the band’s enduring popularity and the demand for their classic rock hits.

“This catalog of songs is extremely challenging for a rock tenor vocalist like myself to sing,” the then 61-year-old Hansen reflected when the tour was announced. “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. You can drop keys and adjust, but I’m more of an old-school person. If I’m not doing it for real, then I shouldn’t be doing it at all,” he added, conveying his commitment to authenticity in performance.

Interestingly, the press release regarding Hansen’s departure no longer refers to Foreigner’s current tour dates as part of a farewell tour. “[Luis] will soon lead the change that will carry us to new heights,” Jones confidently declared, hinting at an exciting new era for the band.