Foreigner Vocalist Hansen: ‘I’m Not Mick Jones’ Puppet’
Foreigner vocalist Kelly Hansen has refuted claims that guitarist Mick Jones tells him how to interpret the band’s classic songs such as Cold As Ice and I Want To Know What Love Is.
“I half-read an interview with [original Foreigner vocalist] Lou Gramm where he assumed that Mick must be telling me how to sing the songs,” Hansen, who has been Foreigner’s frontman since 2005, told Classic Rock.
“Well, it can’t be further from the truth. Mick and I are of a like mind about what the songs need. I’m trying to perform them in a sincere way, from the heart. Just to clear the air on that point.”
“As far as Kelly or any other vocalist is concerned, it’s not simply a matter of being able to sing the songs,” said Jones, who founded Foreigner way back in 1976.
“I detected something in Kelly from the beginning, when he came to the audition. I could tell right there and then that he wasn’t just singing the songs, he was making them his own. It wasn’t karaoke; he definitely got into the songs and made them come alive.”
Concerning his relations with Gramm, Jones had this to say:
“Lou went into this strange born-again Christianity thing. I certainly didn’t want to go in that direction.
“I just like to remember the great times we had, and the success we had together. There’s not much more to say. I wish him the best.
“I know it must be a little surprising to him, seeing how well this band’s doing. I’m certainly not going to rub it in his face or anything. He’s stubborn and hardheaded about what he wants to do. I guess you could say the same about me.”
Can’t Slow Down, Foreigner’s first new studio album in 15 years, gets a European release through EarMusic/Edel on March 1.
I have to say that Kelly Hanson does an excellent job as Foreigner’s frontman. I miss Lou Gramm, and hope that he does well for the future, but it is good to see Foreigner as tight a band as ever, and appear to be the most stable line-up. Sure, the “purists” will clamor for no one other than Lou Gramm, but if one doesn’t listen to this current band and give them a chance, then one is certainly missing out on some very good sounding music. Afterall, when you hear them they still sound like Foreigner of old. It is good to see many of these classic rock bands still cranking. It is up to all of us to support our favorite groups and keep this classic rock thing alive. Groupe out of Sweden and surrounding countries are sure doing their part for the late 60’s early 70’s sound.
I have to agree. From what i have seen and heard Kelly is doing a great job being the front man! He has a good head on his shoulders, great attitude,and has made the decision to commit to take his role seriously.Go kelly!!!! i am rooting for you…..all the way!
You guys could’nt PISS ME OFF MORE!!! First of all those songs the lead singer is doing ARE NOT HIS!!! I have all of the albums and cd’s to prove it-NOWHERE on any of them do I see him or his name, and I SURE AS HELL don’t hear him singing- if he did, I would’nt have bought them in the first place!!! And Mick-the way you put the famous KICK ASS LOU GRAMM down in an undermining way is just sick-shows what kind of person you are! Something I have wanted to let YOU know for years is, in all absolute honesty, not me nor any of my friends back in the day even knew you exsisted! You said Lou Gramm and everyone said OH – KICK ASS FOREIGNER! Seriously-everyone knew that name and that voice!!! That voice IS Foreigner!!!! I hve foreigner in my cd player in my car right now and I listen to it every day because no singer holds a candle to that voice, and YOU should know that!! I would’nt cross my road to see foreigner now, the era and magic are gone. I can relive it though, anytime I choose through that golden voice that made Foreigner their mega-fortune!!