Lou Gramm Vs Foreigner

[rockjerk1980]

ok, so Im a huge fan of Lou and of his work with Foreigner. Now I know that Foreigner still sounds good and that Mick(together with Lou) was the driving force behind Foreigner so I understand why he continues the band without him, but I ask the question is Foreigner really Foreigner without Lou Gramm??
Not many bands would continue after the departure of such a distinctive vocalist.
If you had to choose between seeing a Lou solo show or a Foreigner show on the same night who would you choose? I'd be at Lou's show for sure...but thats just me.

[Red13JoePa]

Hard for me to achieve buy-in for what seems like more The Mick Jones All-Star Band Plays Foreigner as actually being Foreigner but I also have the feeling that if it were up to Mick, Lou would still be in the band.

I really think Gramm is on his own by choice.

[jrnyman28]

The problem is that vocalist have the hardest time maintaining their "instrument". If the singer can't do it anymore, there is a good reason to go on without. But it is also a consistent issue that guitar players and vocalists have ego clashes that can cause the split. Still, if a/the founder of a band wants to continue with the name and without the 'hit singer' that is his/her right. It is up to us to decide what is important to us: the songs or the singers?

Lou has struggled with his voice for a very long time. If it is not up to par than I would think Foreigner would be a better choice. Add to that the fact that Lou wants to move away from his Foreigner hits because that is "not the person he is anymore". For me it is about the songs, the music. If it is being performed well, with energy than I am there.

Being a Journey fan helped me to realize this. If the songs are strong and the performance is solid than it works in my book.

[Red13JoePa]

Still, if a/the founder of a band wants to continue with the name and without the 'hit singer' that is his/her right. It is up to us to decide what is important to us: the songs or the singers?

Agreed, but at the point "Foreigner" is now, down to ONE original member, founder or not, in what was once, what? A 6-piece? You're stretching the limits of credibility if you're in Jones' spot.
That said, they're playing to more buzz and such than in YEARS, actually PUT a new song out, so far be it for me...

[kellyhansenfan]

Naturally, I say FOREIGNER. All one needs to do is see them live once and you will be hooked! I have never seen Lou with the energy of Kelly.

[JRNYFan]

Definitely Foreigner. Lou Gramm, today, just doesn't do it for me. It's almost if he's a completely different person by the way he sounds and looks. That's me though.

[StoneCold]

Choice between seeing Lou and Foreigner for me would be Lou. He's out there trying to make a comeback so I'd have to support that.

He may surprise us all yet and make a full recovery. If he doesn't, won't be for not trying.

IWKWLI - June 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3PXGqvl4dI&

Jukebox Hero - Oct 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T1eowwaW2Y

[Just Sara]

I've only seen Foreigner once and that was with Kelly Hansen. He was very impressive. The concert on the whole was brilliant and, given the opportunity I would go to another concert in a heartbeat.

That being said, I'd choose Lou Gramm over Foreigner. I know his voice isn't the same but I admire that he's still at it despite the crap he went through. It was his voice that drew me to Foreigner in the first place. IMO he is one of the best singers ever! I would take any chance I could get to see him in person. That fact that he's a Christian makes him even cooler to me.

Foreigner can go on doing their thing and I'll continue to be a fan, but if I had to choose, it's Lou Gramm all the way.

[StoneCold]

Foreigner in two clips from 2007, doesn't sound too good. No Gramm magic.

IWKWLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90tN2sguSH4&

and what's with all the hand movements?
IKWLI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPykcbkES0g&

[Abitaman]

Saw Foreigner last year and have several boots with the new guy. He is good. But Lou beats him when Lou was in his prime and healthy. But the new guy does very good. Yea, it maybe Mick's all-star band, but they are awesome in concert. i agree, put something new out already!

[tcav34]

I want to say that I am a Kelly Hansen fan and have many of his cd's with the various bands he's played with, but for me, there is no replacing Lou Gramm. Lou may not sing like he once did, but he will always be the voice of Foreigner for me.

Foreigner is not foreigner without him. Kelly does a great job and you should go check out a concert, but if they were both on the same night, I'd support Lou. He was one of the greatest voices in Rock, and it seems the more he sings, the better his voice is getting. He may never return to the voice of the past, but he's been through a lot and I still love his songs.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

there are some tips about the split in the liner notes of the new cd, No End in Sight. I prolly won't get a chance to quote it and retype-sorry. guess you'll have to buy it! it's a double cd.

Foreigner, now, puts on a great show. great songs, great musicians-that just can't be beat. If Mick wants to keep his music going, more power to him. Gotta admire him for banging hard at it year after year.

the new song, Too Late is really good. They did it last night in Houston.

[Aaron]

I'd have to go with Lou. With all of the shit he's been through medically, it takes a lot of character to stay out there and do what he does. Lou sounds significantly better in these clips than from ealier in the year. He is improving and I pray he can make back to something similar to his former voice.

[Aaron]

He is getting better, a lot better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls40mYOw ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfOweYC ... re=related

[metal rednex]

I love Lou Gramm, but I saw Foreigner in 99 and it was dreadful. He has completely lost it. I heard fans in the crowd hitting the notes better than Lou.
Kelly has the range, the energy, and the goods to keep the band going.

[The_Noble_Cause]

He is getting better, a lot better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls40mYOw ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfOweYC ... re=related

He seems to be on some sort of mend.
Recent YouTubes have him regaining power, if not his tenor voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQVvmoDI ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgQXrLVnmY

[cinj]

First Time Poster here -

I think it depends on the singer who replaces Lou. I really enjoy Kelly's work on the new CD. However, I thought "Unusual Heat" was a disaster. For me, if a well established band wants to replace its singer after umpteen years of popularity, I think the new guy needs to sound like the old guy. This is why I also like the new Journey, but am not crazy about the new Styx (without Dennis DeYoung). Had Styx gotten a guy that sounded similar to DeYoung, I would enjoy them more.

I also see the point about people not liking Foreigner calling themselves Foreigner with only one original band member left. To be honest, I agree and disagree with that statement - especially when it comes to Foreginer. Foreigner, in my judgement, has always been a "faceless" band. I don't mean that to be an insult, I've always been a huge fan. But I can't honestly tell the difference between any of the musicians who've replace other musicians. After "Unusual Heat", my sentiment was "I don't care who's in this band, as long as it has Jones AND Gramm". Now with Hanson, I'm willing to admit that they sound pretty good without him.

I would also like to add that I LOVE the new Lou Gramm Christian CD. In fact I think I'll go listen to it now.

Cinj

[Ehwmatt]

He is getting better, a lot better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls40mYOw ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfOweYC ... re=related

He seems to be on some sort of mend.
Recent YouTubes have him regaining power, if not his tenor voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQVvmoDI ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgQXrLVnmY

My dad saw him a few months ago, said he sounded good all things considered and my dad's a tough critic. He said he obviously didn't have all the notes any more, but he was astounded when I linked him to a few of the most unflattering Lou vids on YT and said he was way better than those videos show.

[lowdbrent]

He is getting better, a lot better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls40mYOw ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfOweYC ... re=related

He seems to be on some sort of mend.
Recent YouTubes have him regaining power, if not his tenor voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQVvmoDI ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgQXrLVnmY

If you notice, LG's band tuned down!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Lou belts out the National Anthem.
Not bad, not bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFuZJ6GHqEg

[Aaron]

TNC,

I seen that a few weeks back and about shit. Lou sounds fucking awesome in that clip. He's making more strides towards his formal self. I'd love to hear him sing "It Feels Like the First Time" in his current form. You have to give him the nod for not giving up, continuing to work, and getting his voice back. Lou's faith is in himself and God has paid off. He rocks.

Now lets see him back in Foreigner where he should be. I love Kelly on the new stuff but I don't want to hear the originals detuned any more.

Now if only Journey could up tune ...

L8r,

Aaron

Lou belts out the National Anthem.
Not bad, not bad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFuZJ6GHqEg

[Aaron]

You're right, but I think he can do it in the original key now. I can deal with a band detuning for the original singer. I can't deal with them detuning for a replacement. If I can sing the shit in the original key at my age, there are a bazillion guys out there that can sing it as well.

He is getting better, a lot better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls40mYOw ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tfOweYC ... re=related

He seems to be on some sort of mend.
Recent YouTubes have him regaining power, if not his tenor voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQVvmoDI ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGgQXrLVnmY

If you notice, LG's band tuned down!

[Saint John]

Naturally, I say FOREIGNER. All one needs to do is see them live once and you will be hooked! I have never seen Lou with the energy of Kelly.

And I've never seen Kelly with the voice of Lou!

[Aaron]

ah man ...

Naturally, I say FOREIGNER. All one needs to do is see them live once and you will be hooked! I have never seen Lou with the energy of Kelly.

And I've never seen Kelly with the voice of Lou!

[maverick218]

I'm not going to get into the whole Lou vs Foreigner thing, BUT I will say this, Since Mick is the only Founding member still in the band, I have trouble thinking of it as REALLY being foreigner. Kind of like if Neal was the only founding/long time member of Journey still in the band and still calling it Journey.

[Aaron]

You guys tell me which one makes you smile more?

Lou doing it in July:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS0YjF1rRfw

Kelly and Mick doing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDxZi-XufIE

I'll take the original every dang time. I can take Lou down a half step but a replacement requiring it? WTF? Mick quit being a bassturd and go get Lou you dumb ass.

[The_Noble_Cause]

You guys tell me which one makes you smile more?

Lou doing it in July:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS0YjF1rRfw

Kelly and Mick doing it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDxZi-XufIE

I'll take the original every dang time. I can take Lou down a half step but a replacement requiring it? WTF? Mick quit being a bassturd and go get Lou you dumb ass.

Lou is in no shape to front Foreigner. Not just vocally, (tho he is sounding better), but also physically. It has been reported that Lou still needs oxygen during shows and by his own admittance, his band is pretty much a weekend touring gig. Could he endure Foreigner's rigorous touring schedule? Gramm's a vocal hero of mine and we're all rooting for the guy, but let's get serious.