The Boomer REport - Music Fun Facts

Foreigner - 10 Fun Facts

  1. The band was literally “foreign” – Foreigner was formed by three Brits and three Americans, leading to the name “Foreigner” since half the band would always be foreigners no matter where they played.
  2. Founded by a former member of Spooky Tooth – Guitarist Mick Jones (not from The Clash) formed Foreigner in 1976 after working with Spooky Tooth and writing for artists like Peter Frampton.
  3. Lou Gramm was discovered in a cover band – Mick Jones spotted Lou Gramm fronting a Rochester band called Black Sheep and invited him to audition.
  4. Their debut album was an instant hit – Foreigner (1977) sold over 5 million copies, thanks to Feels Like the First Time, Cold As Ice, and Long, Long Way from Home.
  5. They mixed rock with synthesizers early on – Foreigner was one of the first hard rock bands to successfully integrate synths and polished production, helping define the AOR (album-oriented rock) sound.
  6. They’ve sold over 80 million records worldwide – Making them one of the best-selling bands of all time, even without massive critical acclaim.
  7. Thomas Dolby played keyboards on “Urgent” – Before his solo hit She Blinded Me With Science, Dolby added synth textures to one of Foreigner’s biggest hits.
  8. Lou Gramm and Mick Jones had a legendary feud – The duo clashed over musical direction (rock vs. pop), Gramm’s solo career, and personal differences, causing several breakups and reunions.
  9. They’ve had over 20 members in their history – Foreigner's lineup has changed frequently, especially after the 1990s.
  10. The current lineup includes no original members on stage - Though Mick Jones remains the official bandleader, he rarely tours, leaving a “legacy lineup” to carry on the music.