Foreigner: Arena Rock Pioneers

Foreigner is a British-American rock band that became a dominant force in arena rock and AOR radio throughout the late 1970s and 1980s. Formed in New York City in 1976, the group is celebrated for its multi-platinum album sales and a string of enduring rock anthems that continue to define classic rock radio.

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 a mix of British and American musicians, deliberately crafted to create a transatlantic sound that blended hard rock with melodic pop sensibilities. Their self-titled debut album, released on Atlantic Records in 1977, immediately established their commercial potential.

Breakthrough

The band's massive breakthrough came with their 1977 debut album Foreigner, which sold over four million copies in the US alone. Fueled by hit singles like "Feels Like the First Time" and "Cold as Ice," the album peaked at number four on the Billboard 200, certifying the group as a major new rock act. This success was solidified by their even more successful 1978 follow-up, Double Vision, which reached number three on the album chart.

Key tracks

Hot Blooded — This hard-driving single from Double Vision became a staple of FM rock radio and the band's first Top 5 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

Urgent — Notable for its distinctive saxophone solo by Junior Walker, this 1981 hit from 4 showcased the band's ability to incorporate R&B influences into their rock sound.

Waiting for a Girl Like You — A massive power ballad from the 1981 album 4, it spent a record-setting 10 weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

I Want to Know What Love Is — The band's only number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, this 1984 gospel-infused ballad from Agent Provocateur became a global phenomenon.

Juke Box Hero — A quintessential rock anthem about fan devotion, it remains one of the band's most recognizable and frequently played songs.

The band's commercial peak continued with the 1981 album 4, which sold over six million copies in the United States and produced several major hits. Despite numerous lineup changes over the decades, with Mick Jones remaining the sole constant founding member, Foreigner has continued to tour and record. Their catalog has achieved impressive certifications, including over 80 million records sold worldwide, with many albums reaching multi-platinum status.

For fans of Foreigner's brand of melodic, hard-hitting rock, similar artists featured on our site include Journey, who similarly mastered the art of the arena rock anthem and power ballad. REO Speedwagon also shares a parallel career arc of 1970s rock evolving into massive 1980s ballad success. Styx offers a comparable mix of progressive rock leanings and theatrical, sing-along choruses. Bad Company delivers a bluesier, yet equally potent, take on the 1970s hard rock formula that Foreigner helped popularize.

Foreigner's music maintains a constant presence on classic rock FM stations and online rock radio streams, where their anthems are essential to the daily playlist. Their songs are fixtures on stations dedicated to the greatest hits of the 70s and 80s, ensuring their sound reaches new generations of rock listeners.

Listeners can discover the enduring rock catalog of Foreigner by tuning into the classic rock and album-oriented rock radio stations featured on our website. You can hear their iconic hits and deep cuts on various radio stations available on onairium.com.