In a recent interview with Rock History Music, Lou Gramm reflected on his experiences from the late 90s, focusing on the disconnection he felt from his bandmates following his brain surgery and recovery from substance addiction. Claiming he was supposed to take a break from music when he had to join Foreigner for their 1998 tour, the singer explained:
“A lot of times after a show, we would get on the bus, and I had the back lounge while they were – You know, I was also… I had been clean and sober for about six or seven years. Nobody else in that band was. So, I had the back lounge by myself. A small back lounge, TV, you know, I have some snacks and some soft drinks or something.”
He went on to say:
“When I had to go use the restroom, I came out of that lounge, and they were playing Euchre, just like I used to with them. As I was heading towards the restroom, I saw everybody going, ‘[Sniffing] Come on, quick.’ You know, and I used the restroom, and when I came out, one or two of them would stand up and throw their arms around me and tell me that they’re so happy that I pulled through the operation and I was okay to play, but I really wasn’t.”
Referring to the other members’ approach to his sobriety, Gramm added:
“Then, they said, ‘And we’re so glad you’re clean and sober. We were really worried about you.’ And I looked on the table, and I see the lines and the Stoli bottles and everything, and I kinda rolled my eyes up to the back of my head, and I said, ‘Thanks so much for that,’ and walked back to my little room. So, I was isolated and, because I was clean and sober, ostracized. That was a tour from hell for me. It was horrible.”
The former Foreigner frontman once told The Maine Edge about the story of his recovery. He claimed that the decision to seek professional help to overcome addiction came to him after a concert at Madison Square Garden in 1991 and recalled his post-recovery situation by saying:
“After I came out, I knew that I would still have urges for drugs and alcohol, but I leaned on God’s strength to help me deal with it. To this day, I’ve never faulted. There were times when I was tempted, but it was because of my belief that God can do everything that I didn’t go back to it. I’ve been clean and sober for 25 years, and I am so thrilled.”
Currently, Gramm remains active in the music industry. He is out on the ‘Lou Gramm All Stars’ tour, with three North American shows set to take place in July. The 12-date tour began on June 16 and is set to run until November 4.
