Foreigner Lead Singer Kelly Hansen announces exit, guitarist Luis Maldonado to take his place

Kelly Hansen has announced that he will no longer be a singer for Foreigner.

The 64-year-old rock star shared the news himself when the band played on NBC’s The voice Tuesday, May 20. During the section it was revealed that guitarist Luis Maldonado would enter, which made an emotional “passing of the torch” moment.

“Being the alien’s voice has been one of the biggest awards of my life,” Hansen said in a statement. “But it’s time to pass the microphone. Luis has the voice, energy and soul to carry these songs into the future. I couldn’t be stronger to hand this to him.”

Mick Jones is the only founding member still with the band. Current members include Maldonado, Bruce Watson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier and Jeff Pilson.

The English musician and songwriter, 80, added, “1976 was my goal to gather the finest group of musicians I could find. The results have shown that it worked!”

In addition to the keyboardist and singer Jones, Foreigner’s original line-up included the main vocalist Lou Gramm, Rhythm guitarist and Woodwind player Ian McDonald, bassist Ed Gagliardi, drummer Dennis Elliott and Keyboardist Al Greenwood.

“About 30 years later, (drummer) Jason Bonham encouraged me to do it again and create a whole new foreigner, and the magic was still there,” Jones said to add new members.

“I was particularly happy with the choice of singers,” Jones continued. “Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men in our business and over the past twenty years he has breathed new life in our songs.”

The British native praised Hansen for “his boundless energy and flawless talent”, saying it helped the new group “climbing the mountain and set up the opportunity for foreign singers and guitarist, Luis Maldonado, to get us home.”

“I wish Kelly great luck in his next efforts after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position,” Jones said. “Luis was my choice as a guitarist and he has already shown us what he can do on the main song by frequenting the band in South America to incredible reviews. He will soon lead the accusation that will lead us to new heights.”

Hansen joined the 2005 group as Gram’s compensation.

In April, the 75-year-old announced that he and Foreigner Reunited to go on tour more than 20 years after he left the band.

During an interview with Message board Last month, Gramm acknowledged that the band’s induction 2024 in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Made him to meet previous questions within the group.

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“Ever since (the induction) it felt like personally, I had to find a way to release some of the things I have been doing for several years – and, as the song says, let it be,” he told the publication at that time. “It’s a hackneyed feeling, but it’s true – life is too short.”

Foreigner will celebrate the 50th anniversary 2026. To mark the occasion, “Juke Box Hero” hit makers will perform in Australia, have a 50th anniversary tour and presented in a documentary.