The Foreigner star Lou Gramm dismissed current trends in rock music and stated that only a miracle could save the genre.

He argued that the hits that made Foreigner one of the world’s most successful bands would be overlooked in today’s music scene.

“[T]The rock that’s in the charts right now is not to my taste,” Gramm told Classic Album Reviews in a recent interview.

READ MORE: Lou Gramm Says Foreigner Nearly Ended After ‘Head Games’

“I don’t even know if I would classify it as rock. … I don’t even know what to call it. It’s just more commercial, middle of the road, and very pop-oriented.

“And I believe it will take almost a miracle to bring real rock back to the radio, like it was years ago. I mean, songs like ‘Hot Blooded’ would never be played now, ever.”

He added: “And I’m hoping that it can be steered back to something that will at least accommodate good rock musicians and songwriters.”

How Did Foreigner Navigate the Punk Era?

Gramm was also asked how Foreigner adapted to the changing trends that emerged during the punk and new wave years of the late ’70s.

“It was kind of fun to let it all hang out and get into that mindset and style of playing as well. I don’t think we aimed to be a punk band, but we enjoyed that influence.”

Confirming his fandom for punk, he continued: “There were some great songs out there, even though the genre was not regarded as equal to other rock ‘n’ roll styles.

“Even though it was a bit simplistic, I believed it had everything that a good rock ‘n’ roll song[s] should contain.”

While he mentioned that he wasn’t “as much” a fan of the Sex Pistols, he sang the chorus of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” to show his appreciation for the Clash.