Foreigner says there will “definitely be fights” during the tour

After nearly 50 years together, legendary rock band Foreigner has reached new heights of musical glory.

Since starting their music career in 1976, the English-American rockers have risen to fame with major hits including ‘Cold as Ice’ and ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’.

Foreign frontman Kelly Hansen and founding member Al Greenwood spoke to Fox News Digital about the highs and lows of touring, how health issues have affected their bond and what it’s like to receive one of the “highest honors in music” while they are about to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

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From left: Thom Gimbel, Michael Bluestein, Kelly Hansen, Mick Jones, Jeff Pilson and Bruce Watson of Foreigner in 2017. (AP images)

Foreigner was formed in New York City in 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones, singer Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, bassist Ed Gagliardi and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald. Hansen has been the lead singer of Foreigner since 2005.

As the band topped the charts in the ’70s and ’80s with songs like “Hot Blooded” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” founder Greenwood shared the pressure they faced in the beginning, and the heights and low points from constantly being on the road.

“When you start in a band and try to be popular, there’s a lot of pressure on you. There’s a lot of pressure on the musicians.” Greenwood explained.

From left: Luis Maldonado, Kelly Hansen, Chris Frazier, Bruce Watson, Jeff Pilson and Paul Mirkovichon backstage as the band Foreigner performs during the “Fox & Friends” Summer Concert Series at FOX Studios on July 22, 2022. (Getty Images)

“There were fights, there were definitely arguments and things like that in the early days. But… you get over it.”

Greenwood’s comments come after members of the rock band Jane’s Addiction recently became involved in a heated on-stage brawl. Frontman Perry Farrell punched guitarist Dave Navarro during a concert performance, and the group subsequently canceled their tour after the onstage fight.

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“A band really is a family. You all have different personalities and everyone has to fit together, and you perform every night… it’s work and it’s fun,” Greenwood continued.

“A band is really a family. You all have different personalities and everyone has to fit together.”

– Al Greenwood

“There’s bound to be fights between people because sometimes you don’t always agree with each other… bands break up because of that. Not everyone gets along with everyone all the time… But the growing pains in a band, the egos and all that stuff who are involved, it takes its toll. Sooner or later it will come out. And in that case it came out on stage for everyone.

Clockwise from back left: Foreigner’s Thom Gimbel, Paul Mirkovich, Kelly Hansen, Jason Bonham, Mick Jones and Jeff Pilson. (Getty Images)

Although Foreigner faced some disagreements during the early days of touring, the band was able to put their differences aside, saying that they were “really lucky” that they “enjoyed” performing with each other.

Foreigner has been nominated for three Grammys and their songs have been featured on popular shows such as ‘Miami Vice’, ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Stranger Things’.

Over the course of their 50-year music career, several band members suffered from serious health issues: Gagliardi and McDonald died of cancer in 2014 and 2022, respectively; Gramm was diagnosed with a type of brain tumor in 1997; and Jones is currently battling Parkinson’s disease.

Expatriate founder Mick Jones is battling Parkinson’s disease. (AP images)

Greenwood shared a health update as the band remains hopeful about Jones’ presence at their upcoming Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction.

“He has some serious health issues that he is taking care of. We all hope he will be with us for the induction ceremony,” Greenwood said.

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“I wish he was there… he’s the founder. He’s the visionary. He’s the creative force behind Foreigner. So I hope he feels better soon and he’ll be with us.”

“I know from all the times I’ve talked to him before that it’s a big deal for him to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Hansen added.

Foreign frontman Kelly Hansen explained how the band has weathered founder Mick Jones’ health battle. (Getty Images)

“It’s just like Al said… it’s been a long time coming, and they are very deserving of this honor… Even when he’s not on stage with us… his thought process and his vision is always guided by us.”

“I think that has something to do with why this band is still successful, because we don’t try to take it out of the vision… We understand what this is and what it should be,” he explained.

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After 22 years of eligibility, Foreigner will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday during the 39th annual induction ceremony.

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Foreigner poses in a photographer’s studio in New York, circa 1976. (Getty Images)

The band received a public boost from Jones’ son-in-law Mark Ronson, who recruited musical friends such as Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Slash, Jack Black and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“I was blown away. I mean, we’ve been waiting a long time for this, and it’s music’s highest honor. Number one,” Greenwood told Fox News Digital.

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“I’m grateful to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for finally recognizing our achievements…I was just elated.”

When asked what the secret is to being part of a successful band after almost 50 years, Hansen said that the previous Foreigner band members had laid an incredible foundation for the rock group.

Foreign singer Kelly Hansen told Fox News Digital the secret to being part of a successful band after nearly 50 years. (Getty Images)

“As a singer, I don’t think you can hope for a better catalog of songs with nothing but beautiful arrangements, beautifully originally recorded and performed,” the frontman noted.

“To be able to carry and try to preserve the legacy of this catalog of songs… It’s really rare… I feel really lucky to be able to be in the position that I’m in and just do what I can to ensure that we maintain the standard and really give these songs the meaning… the constancy and the presentation they deserve.”

Clockwise from left: drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, singer Lou Gramm, rhythm guitarist Ian McDonald, lead guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Ed Gagliardi, circa 1977. (Getty Images)

Foreigner, led by singer Gramm and guitarist Jones, recorded nine Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and six Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including their fourth studio album “4”, which spent ten weeks on the charts in 1981. place stood.

The legendary band will join Cher, Peter Frampton, Mary J. Blige, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & the Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, the late Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick, the late Alexis Korner, the late John. Mayall and the late Big Mama Thornton in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.