Foreigner (1978): The Arena Rock Architects

Foreigner is a British-American rock band that forged a dominant sound in the late 1970s and 1980s, blending hard rock energy with impeccable pop melodies. Formed in New York City, the group achieved massive commercial success, with worldwide sales exceeding 80 million records and a string of multi-platinum albums.

Early career

Foreigner was founded in 1976 by veteran British musician Mick Jones, formerly of Spooky Tooth, and American vocalist Lou Gramm. The initial lineup featured both UK and US members, solidifying their transatlantic identity. They signed with Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1977, which quickly went platinum.

Breakthrough

The band's true breakthrough came with their 1978 sophomore album, Double Vision. The title track and the ballad "Blue Morning, Blue Day" became huge hits, propelling the album to sell over 7 million copies in the US alone. This cemented Foreigner's status as arena rock headliners and hit-making machines.

Key tracks

Feels Like The First Time — This driving rock track was the band's first major hit, introducing their signature sound to a global audience.

Hot Blooded — A definitive hard rock anthem from the Double Vision album that became a staple of FM radio and live shows.

I Want To Know What Love Is — Their 1984 worldwide number-one power ballad, featuring the New Jersey Mass Choir, showcasing their expansive production.

Juke Box Hero — A quintessential rock story-song from 1981's 4 that remains one of their most enduring and recognizable tracks.

Cold As Ice — From their debut, this song's iconic piano riff and soaring chorus demonstrated their knack for crafting perfect rock singles.

The band's commercial peak continued with 1981's 4, which topped the Billboard chart and spawned several hits, including "Urgent" featuring a famed saxophone solo by Junior Walker. Internal tensions and lineup changes followed, but the core duo of Jones and Gramm returned for 1987's Inside Information. Gramm departed for a solo career in 1990, though the band continued with Jones at the helm and various vocalists, including Kelly Hansen who joined in 2005.

Foreigner's music is a fixture on classic rock playlists alongside artists like Journey, who similarly mastered the blend of rock power and melodic hooks. The driving guitar work and anthemic choruses also align them with REO Speedwagon, another hugely successful arena act of the era. For their blend of British rock sensibility and American radio appeal, listeners often enjoy Styx, who shared their ambition for complex, multi-part rock songs. The powerful vocal delivery connects them to Bad Company, another supergroup with a straightforward, hard-hitting rock approach.

RADIO ROTATION

Foreigner's catalog is a permanent fixture on classic rock FM stations and mainstream rock radio formats across the globe. Their anthems are regularly featured on online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations dedicated to the greatest hits of the 70s and 80s, ensuring their music reaches both loyal fans and new listeners daily.

You can hear the timeless rock anthems of Foreigner on numerous radio stations featured on our website. Explore the onairium.com platform to discover stations that regularly play their classic hits and deep cuts, keeping the spirit of arena rock alive.