Foreigner, The #37 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Three

 (Continued from Part Two)

  

In 1985, Foreigner released the album Agent Provocateur.  Jennifer Holliday and the New Jersey Mass Choir backed up the group on their landmark song "I Want To Know What Love Is".  The single jumped to #1 and sold over one million copies in the United States and reached the Top 5 in every major country in the world, including #1 in the U.K., Canada and Australia.

 Foreigner received a nomination at the Grammy Awards for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.  Foreigner scored another Top 15 hit with "That Was Yesterday", a #4 Mainstream Rock hit.

Foreigner toured to support the album and performed at the first Farm Aid in Champaign, Illinois.  In addition to being a leader for Foreigner, Jones produced albums for other artists, including Billy Joel and Van Halen.

 Foreigner released the album Inside Information in 1987.  The single "Say You Will" landed at #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #6 overall.

"I Don't Want To Live Without You" topped the Adult Contemporary chart and peaked at #5 on the Popular chart. 

Foreigner performed at the 40th anniversary concert for Atlantic Records in 1988, with Phil Collins, Roberta Flack, Crosby, Stills & Nash and other Atlantic artists joining them for "I Want To Know What Love Is".

 Gramm began a solo career in 1987 and left the band in  1990.  Jones recruited Johnny Edwards, formerly with Montrose and many other bands, to replace Gramm.  In 1991, Foreigner released the album Unusual Heart.  As is the case with many groups, once their well-known lead singer leaves, the group has peaked.  They did get as high as #4 on the Mainstream Rock chart with "Lowdown And Dirty".  

Jeff Jacobs became the new keyboardist and Elliott left in 1991.  Larry Aberman temporarily filled in before the group hired Mark Schulman.  Several other personnel changes occurred before Gramm rejoined the group in 1992.  Gramm brought bassist Bruce Turgon, who had played with Lou in the group Shadow King.

Foreigner released the compilation album The Very Best...and Beyond, with Gramm co-producing the project that included three new songs.

 Foreigner released the album Mr. Moonlight in 1994 in Japan and 1995 in the United States, but it paled in comparison to previous releases by the group.  Ron Wikso stepped in on percussion when Schulman left.  Schulman returned in 2000.  The group hired ace guitarist Duane Eddy for a memorable part on "Until The End Of Time".

 Although the album didn't sell well, it contains two other good tracks.  This is "White Lie".

 "Under The Gun" is another Top Track*.

Gramm left for good in 2003.  Jones, the only original member remaining, led a group that included Jacobs, Gimbel, bassist Jeff Pilson, drummer Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham) and lead singer Kelly Hansen.  The 2005 live album Extended Versions included this lineup.

Foreigner, Styx and Def Leppard toured together in 2007.  Jacobs left the band in 2007, replaced initially by Paul Mirkovich and finally by Michael Bluestein in 2008.  Bonham left, with Tichy eventually joining the group.

Foreigner released the album Can't Slow Down in 2009.  Jason Sutter took over for Tichy on drums in 2010, with Schulman returning in 2011.  The band continues to rotate members in and out of the lineup.

In 2013, Jones (left, above) and Gramm (right) were inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

Original bassist Ed Gagliardi passed away on May 11, 2014 after a long battle with cancer.  

In their career, Foreigner amassed 22 hits, with nine reaching the Top 10 and one going to #1.  Their forte was the Album Rock audience, and since 1981, when the Mainstream Rock chart was implemented, the group scored 16 hits, nine of which were Top 10 and four #1's.  Some of Foreigner's best work on their first three albums was released prior to 1981, but 10 or 11 songs from those albums would have likely done very well on the MR chart.

Foreigner has sold over 37.5 million albums in the U.S. and over 80 million records worldwide.

They have been nominated for three Grammy Awards and two American Music Awards.