Foreigner got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the first time this year. Original member Lou Gramm’s close friend, Slash, along with rockers like Dave Grohl and Josh Homme, led an online campaign pushing for the band’s inclusion since early 2024.
Gramm shared his thoughts about Slash’s role in supporting the band in a recent interview with ‘Appetite for Distortion’: “We’re acquaintance/friends, but I think that over the years, we’ve done some ‘All-Star’ shows and stuff like that, and I’ve got a chance to perform with him on stage for a few songs. He’s a very likable guy, and obviously, he’s brilliant on guitar.”
His words went on, “So, we’ve had a friendship and mutual respect for each other’s work, and I was surprised when he was an advocate for us getting into the Hall of Fame. It was a real pleasant surprise.”
Gramm will attend the Rock Hall ceremony on October 19 with Al Greenwood and Rick Wills to accept the honor in place of original members Mick Jones, Dennis Elliott, the late Ian McDonald, and the late Ed Gagliardi.
Jones and Elliott will not show up at the event in Cleveland due to last-minute scheduling from the organizers. The drummer expressed his frustration in a recent Facebook post, saying, “We were finally given the schedule last night, and it is not to our satisfaction. So, we are staying home. We have been asking for this for weeks, and they have waited until the very last minute to send it knowing we were all packed and going to bed. Totally unacceptable to us. Hope you have a good time.”
Slash, Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith, Demi Lovato, and Kelly Clarkson will celebrate Foreigner’s induction with special performances ahead of the honoree’s final shows in the upcoming months. The band’s final tour will conclude in Spring/Summer 2025.
