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Fifty percent British and fifty percent American, the original lineup was comprised of Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, drummer Dennis Elliot, singer Lou Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood and bassist Ed Gagliardi. They called themselves Trigger but changed to Foreigner because the musical alias Trigger was already taken by another group. The band was picked up by John Kalodner at Atlantic Records and after a year of recording and remixing the debut album, “Foreigner” was released in March 1977. The album is punctuated by classic Foreigner singles like “Feels Like the Very First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” and “Long, Long Way from Home.”
Propelled by the success of their first album, Foreigner’s sophomore album “Double Vision” followed in 1978 to rave reviews. Singles like “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” “Hot Blooded,” and “Juke Box Hero” received significant airplay. Foreigner’s timeless hits are the perfect additions to soundtracks in the film industry. Songs have been featured in Hollywood box office hits like “Anchorman 2,” “Magic Mike,” and “Pitch Perfect.” The single “Dirty White Boy” (from their third album “Head Games” in 1979) was introduced to modern audiences in the video game “Grand Theft Auto V.” The film industry and video game industry have helped Foreigner’s music stay relevant and have boosted sales via internet downloads.
On 13 June 2013 Mick Jones and Lou Gramm were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Mick Jones admits his vision for the band was to “combine Blues and R&B and make it sound soulful and authentic.” He cites influences from English music as well as American country music as inspiration for Foreigner’s unique sound. Foreigner has toured with rock bands like Journey and Styx.
Foreigner, Europe and FM. This was quite simply a stunning concert. Three fantastic groups featuring three amazing vocalists with voices that you'd happily trade a major bodily organ for, whether it be for rocking the house or simply for serenading the knickers off of that special lady in your life! First up was FM. Now it turns out that I've seen FM before as support for Thin Lizzy back in 2011 and although I don't remember it well, I do remember being impressed despite never having heard of them. Nowadays, I know them due to their hit 'Crosstown Train', which received well deserved and extensive plays on Planet Rock. FM are a band with a extensive catalogue of truly great rock songs. They've been going 30 odd years apparently, who knew? Vocalist Steve Overland is a very impressive front man with a superb voice and I will definitely be looking at lot closer at their back catalogue. Next up was Europe. Everybody but everybody, knows 'The Final Countdown'. Now I admit I've always thought of it and indeed Europe as trashy and throwaway euro pop, but put it on and there's not many who wouldn't know it and whether they admit to liking it or not, they normally sing along because poppy or not, it's a great song which I've grown pretty fond of! That said, when Joey Tempest and the boys want to get heavy, they get as heavy as you want. 'The Last Look At Eden' album was a superb showcase of just how good a group they can be and certainly turned me round in my thinking. Add to that the fact that Joey Tempest probably (if I'm honest, despite my love of Foreigner) stole the show! He gave an electric performance and absolutely had the audience in the palm of his hand. At one point, he recalled a boat trip from Sweden to Hammersmith as a 16 year old to see Thin Lizzy and inserted a few lines of 'The Cowboy Song' into the track 'Superstitious'. That was me won over straight away! Unfortunately, it was a short set and although we got to hear classics like 'Rock The Night and the banging 'No Stone Unturned', I was disappointed not to hear the truly excellent 'Catch That Plane' and 'Not Supposed To Sing The Blues'. They closed up with 'The Final Countdown' and the place went absolutely mental! I would happily go to see them as a headliner. Finally came Foreigner who opened up with 'Double Vision'. Strangely, there was no sign of founder member and lead guitarist Mick Jones but it transpires that he'd been unable to play on some of the other tour dates due to ill health. The band played three more songs being 'Head Games','Cold As Ice' and 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' before the appearance of Jones. The rest was almost shared by the whole audience who without much coaxing were happy to sing along word for word with the band and who were obviously having a great time. Kelly Hanson is, like his predecessor Lou Gramm, a great vocalist and fits perfectly into the role of Foreigners lead vocalist as he sounds so much like Gramm. Hanson also said they'd been touring and the one country he mentioned was Israel which I was delighted to hear. They entertained the rockers like me with songs like 'Urgent' and 'Cold as Ice' whilst catering also to the couples and ladies with their trademark ballads like 'Waiting For A Girl Like You' and the soulful 'I Wanna Know What Love Is' which they performed beautifully along with a school choir. If you've never seen Foreigner, big mistake because they are a superb band with something for just about everyone!
martin-hizer
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