In a recent interview with 96.3 KKLZ radio, Foreigner’s Al Greenwood shared his thoughts on the band’s current tour without the original lineup.
Following Foreigner’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band has added more dates to their farewell tour.
“Obviously it’s not the original lineup. But they do a fantastic job, they really stick close to the original songs, so they sound great,” Greenwood said during the interview. “They perform perfectly. I enjoy doing it, and so does Rick [Wills]. We really had a good time coming out here and doing it.”
Foreigner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on October 19. Original singer Lou Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood, and bassist Rick Wills were there to accept the award, but Mick Jones and Dennis Elliott were absent. Jones’s daughter, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, accepted the award on his behalf.
The induction ceremony featured performances by Slash, Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith, Demi Lovato, and Kelly Clarkson to honor the band.
Later, Lou Gramm spoke about the absence of Mick Jones and Dennis Elliott from the ceremony.
“Rick Wills, Al Greenwood, and I were there representing the band. It was unfortunate, but Mick Jones could not be there; he’s not in the best of health,” Gramm explained. “Dennis Elliott couldn’t be there either, for one reason or another. But the three of us represented, and it was an incredible honor. The show was one highlight after another, and the others being inducted were very special too.”
Two weeks ago, Foreigner celebrated their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction with a special halftime show at the Cleveland Browns-Cincinnati Bengals game. Lead singer Kelly Hansen spoke to the crowd and announced that original band members would join them for future performances.
The band’s extended farewell tour will continue with a performance in Las Vegas, Nevada tomorrow. The tour will run until September 21, with the final show at the Big E in West Springfield, Massachusetts
