Kelly Hansen, the vocalist for Foreigner over the past 20 years, has announced he will be leaving the band this year. Hansen shared the news on the season finale of NBC’s “The Voice” on Monday, May 20, where the band performed a medley of their hits.
After singing “Feels Like the First Time,” Hansen addressed the audience. “After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,” he said. “At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado.”
Hansen then introduced Maldonado for a performance of “Juke Box Hero,” and the two shared lead vocals on “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Hansen said. “But it’s time to pass the mic. Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future. I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.”
Hansen first gained fame in the ’80s as the vocalist for Hurricane until the band dissolved in 1991. He later worked with bands like Air Pavilion, Unruly Child, and Perfect World, and recorded with Slash’s Snakepit. Hansen joined Foreigner in 2005 after co-founding vocalist Lou Gramm left the band.
Maldonado joined Foreigner in 2021, previously serving as the guitarist for Train and working with artists such as John Waite and Lisa Marie Presley. “This music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Maldonado said. “I’m ready to honor Foreigner’s legacy and bring my heart to every performance.”
Hansen’s future with the band had been uncertain since March, when it was announced that actor Geordie Brown would front the band for their Canadian Farewell Tour in October and November. The recent South American tour featured Maldonado on lead vocals, with Gramm appearing as a guest musician.
Foreigner was formed in 1976 by former Spooky Tooth guitarist Mick Jones, releasing their self-titled debut album the following year. They topped the Billboard 200 in 1981 with their fourth album, “4,” which included the top five hits “Urgent” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You.” Their highest-charting single, “I Want to Know What Love Is,” topped the Hot 100 in 1984 as the lead track from “Agent Provocateur.”
Over the years, various lineup changes have left Jones as the only original member of the band, though he has been absent from live performances since 2023. In October 2024, Foreigner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Sammy Hagar.