Foreigner are a British-American rock band formed in New York City in 1976. The original lineup consisted of English guitarist Mick Jones, American vocalist Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald and bassist Ed Gagliardi. Jones came up with the name Foreigner because the group combined British and American musicians, meaning that at least half of the members would be considered foreigners wherever the band performed. Over the course of their career, Foreigner have combined hard rock, soft rock and arena rock and become one of the most commercially successful rock bands.
The band released its self-titled debut album in March 1977. It became a major commercial success, reaching No. 4 in the United States, remaining in the US Top 20 for a year and selling millions of copies. The album produced the hits “Feels Like the First Time”, “Cold as Ice” and “Long, Long Way from Home”. Their second album, Double Vision, followed in 1978 and surpassed the debut in sales, generating major hits including “Hot Blooded” and “Double Vision”.
After Head Games in 1979, the band underwent lineup changes before releasing 4 in 1981. The album became Foreigner’s first and only US No. 1 album, spending ten weeks at the top of the chart. It produced the singles “Urgent”, “Waiting for a Girl Like You” and “Juke Box Hero”. Their 1982 compilation Records became the band’s best-selling release and was eventually certified seven-times platinum in the United States. Agent Provocateur followed in 1984 and contained Foreigner’s biggest hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is”. The song reached No. 1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and several other countries.
After Inside Information was released in 1987, Lou Gramm left Foreigner in 1990 and was replaced by Johnny Edwards. The band subsequently went through further lineup changes and periods of reduced activity while continuing to release music and perform. Gramm later returned to the group, and Foreigner continued touring over the following decades.
Foreigner have sold more than 80 million records worldwide, including approximately 38 million in the United States. Their commercial success has made them one of the best-selling bands in rock history. In 2024, Foreigner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band has remained active since its formation in 1976, with the current lineup led by Mick Jones and featuring Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Chris Frazier, Bruce Watson and Luis Maldonado.
