Foreigner lead singer Kelly Hansen reveals departure from band on The Voice: Its time to pass the mic

Foreigner’s longtime lead singer Kelly Hansen stunned fans when he announced his departure from the legendary band in rockstar fashion.The 64-year-old rocker, who joined the band in 2005, broke the news on the season finale of NBC’s “The Voice” on Tuesday after performing the group’s 1977 hit song “Feels Like the First Time” alongside his bandmates.“After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner,” Hansen told the crowd.“At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you; my friend Luis Maldonado.” Maldonado — who joined Foreigner in 2021 as a guitarist and has filled in as lead singer on the recent Latin America tour — appeared with a mic in hand on center stage and started singing one of the band’s radio hit songs, “Juke Box Hero.”Hansen joined Maldonado in an emotional send-off as the pair ended the night singing “I Want to Know What Love Is.”“Being the voice of Foreigner has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Hansen said following the announcement.“But it’s time to pass the mic.

Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future.I couldn’t be prouder to hand this off to him.”Maldonado added that he was ready to step up to the plate and “honor Foreigner’s legacy.”“This music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I’m ready to honor Foreigner’s legacy and bring my heart to every performance,” Maldonado said.Founding member and guitarist Mick Jones is the only original member of Foreigner to remain with the band.However, the 80-year-old rockstar has not performed live with the band since 2023.“In 1976, my goal was to assemble the finest group of musicians I could find.

Results have shown that it worked!” Jones said of Hansen’s departure, according to Rolling Stone.“Kelly Hansen is one of the best frontmen in our business and over the last twenty years he has breathed new ...