The group Foreigner took its name from the members of the group, because - as the name suggests - they really were a foreign bunch. Mick Jones (vocals) Ian McDonald (vocals, guitar, horn and keyboards) and Dennis Elliot (drums) were the English contingent, while Lou Gramm (vocals), Edward Gagliardi (bass) and Al Greenwood (keyboards) made up the American side of the band. The writing side of the music was left to Gramm and Jones. The aptly named album "Foreigner" was released in 1977 and notable hits from the album were "Cold As Ice" and "Feels Like The First Time".

Even with these hits and the fact that the album went quadruple platinum in the U.S they found it harder in England to conquer the charts. "Double Vision" which was their second album and the single of the same name also proved to be a million seller. With the success they were having at that time it looked like there was no stopping this unusual mixture of a group.

However, in 1979 Rick Willis, who had already played with Peter Frampton and the group King Crimson, replaced Gagliardi, who apparently collapsed on the floor on hearing the news and passed out. Soon after two more members of the group (McDonald and Greewood) quit to leave just four remaining members to carry on the name.

After quite a break from the music scene the group bounced back into the spotlight in 1981 with the album "4". With the singles "Urgent" and "Juke Box Hero" in particular it was obvious that the band hadn't lost their golden touch when it came to music, despite the departure of various members.
Yet again, after 1981 the Foreigner took a break and apart from a greatest hits album "Records" and a American tour not that much was heard of them. They did do a small tour in England and in Scotland in 1982, but it wasn't really until the release of "I Wanna Know What Love Is " in 1985 that they bounced back into the public eye. The record (guest appearances from Jennifer Holiday, Tom Bailey, The New Jersey Mass Choir and The Thompson Twins) proved to be a smash hit.

Although further hits followed Gramm became more and more independent and unhappy with the group. Rumour had it that he was not happy with the long breaks Jones had in between writing albums. Maybe because of this reason Gramm left the band in 1990 to pursue a solo career. The split wasn't forever and although Foreigner continued with another singer Gramm rejoined the group in 1992. The actual "getting-back-together" of Gramm and Jones happened by chance when the two of them were more or less locked together in a Los Angeles hotel room because of the Los Angeles riots which were taking place outside. For this reason they decided that bygones should be bygones and they buried their hatchet. The line-up changed yet again when Elliot and Willis left the group, but that didn't seem to make a difference to the success as the writing nucleus of the band were back together.

Since the reunion Gramm has had a major health scare. He was diagnosed as having a life threatening brain tumour and after an operation in 1997 was told to convalesce for a year. Reports have it now that he is fighting fit again so we wait in anticipation to see what the future brings for the band.
 
 
 

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