Kelly Hansen announced his departure from Foreigner during a performance on The Voice. The band had been performing without him due to personal reasons.
Hansen introduced his successor, Luis Maldonado, while expressing gratitude for his time with the band. Maldonado has already been performing with the group in South America.
“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life. But it’s time to pass the mic,” Hansen said. “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.”
Foreigner founder Mick Jones offered his perspective on the transition.
“Kelly Hansen is one of the best front men in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new life into our songs,” Jones said. “His boundless energy and flawless talent has helped us climb the mountain and set up the opportunity for Foreigner vocalist and guitarist Luis Maldonado to bring us home.”
Jones shared his vision for the band’s future: “I wish Kelly great happiness in his next endeavors after our summer tour, and I look forward to welcoming Luis to his new position. Luis was my choice as a guitarist. He has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to incredible reviews. He will soon lead the charge that will carry us forward to new heights.”
The transition will occur after the band completes its summer tour.
Hansen’s departure concludes a significant chapter in Foreigner’s history. He has led the band as frontman for nearly two decades.
Research from Wikipedia revealed that Hansen stepped into the role in 2005. This followed original vocalist Lou Gramm’s departure in 2003. Hansen’s powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence helped revitalize the band’s legacy.
Documentation from Glide Magazine highlighted the band’s achievements during Hansen’s tenure. They maintained a rigorous touring schedule and continued drawing large audiences. The 2019 “Juke Box Hero Tour” stood out as one of their most notable performances.
Maldonado will assume vocal duties after Hansen’s departure in summer 2025. Mabumbe noted his existing role as a multi-instrumentalist and guitarist with the band. This experience positions him well to advance Foreigner’s musical legacy.
The upcoming change marks another evolution in Foreigner’s storied career. The band now prepares to begin its next chapter with Maldonado leading the way.
