Artist of the Week-Foreigner

There were a lot of popular hard rock bands that came out of the 70’s. These bands live on in classic rock radio shows, our parents’ (or our) old record collections, and, if lucky enough to have survived break-ups, solo-acts and age, performing their old hits in their wrinkled bodies at casinos and sports arenas around the world. Last week we saw the dignified recognition of age. This week we celebrate a group that has attempted to stay true to their old sound and habits, a gift to your moms, and a birthday to go along with them: Foreigner.

Something must be said about hard rock songs that came from the 70’s. While many may find a great amount of cheese and laughable lyrics, there was a fist-pumping, brutal honesty that emerged. Foreigner, though not the first to tackle this type of song, certainly aided in mastering it. Amidst their lyrics are found songs about sex, rock, and fame. With examples such as “Hot Blooded,” “Juke Box Hero,” and “Feels like the First Time,” you get the point that they’re not really here for anything else. To prove they’ve still got it, I share the knowledge that my aunt gloats and nearly swoons when she speaks of the Foreigner shows she’s been to.

Former vocalist and co-founder of Foreigner, Lou Gramm, celebrated his 61^st birthday this past Monday, and though he may have left Foreigner, it was due partly to his songs and voice that helped them to top the charts and their albums reach multi-platinum status. While Mick Jones, co-founder and guitarist of Foreigner (not of the Clash fame), is the last man standing, the group continues to perform their classic songs and a couple years ago even managed to put out a new album, Can’t Slow Down. Though it may not have produced as much steam as some of their other albums, the market for their kind of music has undeniably dwindled in the mainstream media. Yet Foreigner still goes on the touring circuit with other big names of their heyday era such as Styx and Journey showing that they haven’t lost the drive to perform and give the tried and true fans what they want.

Throughout the 70’s and 80’s (and early 90’s) Foreigner charmed the pants off of the ladies with their tight clothes, long hair, unabashed charm, and their hit tunes. While they haven’t produced much since the early 90’s, they still manage to keep a fan base, draw crowds, and sell out shows. Unless you’ve been living in a hole your entire life, the likelihood you’ve heard a Foreigner song is pretty high. This band has endured the years and continues to tromp through stages across the world.

What’s great about Foreigner (and many other bands from that era) is that you don’t have to take them seriously. You listen to their music, you can laugh, you can cheer, you can dance like an idiot in your car on the way to work, but you don’t have to be ashamed of what you’re listening to. What you’re getting is fun wrapped up in a marketable package that while may be past its “sell by” date, hasn’t lost its flavor. The point is that Foreigner delivers the punches. They are exactly what they claim to be: guys who can still rock the panties off of your mom (and maybe you). This weekend, say a happy birthday to Lou Gramm, a happy mother’s day to your own, and make sure you’re not around when your mom is remembering her days following Foreigner.