Foreigner legend Lou Gramm announces retirement
"I wanna go out with a bang"
Original Foreigner singer Lou Gramm has announced he’s retiring from performing live later this year.
76-year-old Gramm, who joined Foreigner upon the band’s formation in New York 50 years ago, told TalkShopLive's Rock 'N' Roll Channel that his guest appearances with Foreigner this summer will be his last.
"I feel like I've done this long enough, and while I really enjoyed a lot about this life, I think the second most important thing to putting your heart and your mind and your body into it and getting into a great band is knowing when to walk away," Gramm said via Blabbermouth.
"I understand what a lot of people feel, but I think I've got an idea of what I'm gonna be doing."
He continued: "I feel bad for the (musical artists) that go on too long, either the singers can't sing anymore, or the guitar players get their fingers caught in the strings or whatever.
“But I'm very fortunate that at my age I can still sing and hit the notes and everything, but I don't wanna get to the point where I'm faking it or lowering the key two steps to do the song.
“I think this is, for me, a high point, this tour. And finally getting into the Rock Hall of Fame and all the good things, I wanna go out with a bang, and I think that this summer tour is it."
Gramm went on to explain that knowing his retirement is on the horizon has heightened his enjoyment of his recent guest spots with Foreigner.
"I have been taking it all in," he said. "I enjoy the screams and the applause and everything. I'm listening a little closer to that these days."
Lou Gramm has enjoyed two tenures as Foreigner frontman, from 1976 to 1990 and again from 1992 to 2003. He’s been making regular guest appearances with Foreigner in recent years, predominately at North American shows.
As a member of Foreigner he’s sold more than 80 million records worldwide and performed on timeless rock anthems including ‘Hot Blooded’, ‘Cold as Ice’, ‘Waiting for a Girl Like You’, ‘Juke Box Hero’ and the international mega smash ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’.
Currently touring without any original members, Foreigner’s 2026 North American Double Trouble Vision Tour wraps up in October.