Kelly Hansen Bids Emotional Farewell At Final Foreigner Concert (Video)

After 20 years fronting one of rock’s most iconic bands, Kelly Hansen took his final bow with Foreigner on Saturday night, delivering a tearful and heartfelt farewell speech in which he thanked his band, crew, family, and fans for an incredible two-decade journey. The emotional send-off took place at the Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey. You can watch the video down below.

The emotional tone for the evening was set by bassist and musical director Jeff Pilson, who introduced his friend of 20 years not just as a world-class performer, but as a person.

“I think [he] is one of the finest performers in rock. But what I’d like to talk about right now briefly is about what a great human being he is,” Pilson told the crowd. He spoke of their “brotherhood” and “family” bond before concluding, “Tonight we are saying a very loving goodbye to someone who has made such a difference with this band.”

Taking the stage, a visibly emotional Hansen thanked the band’s crew and their management, sharing a humorous and affectionate anecdote about co-manager Phil Carson. “This man is a f**king juggernaut and he’s 80 years old and he’s a motherf**ker,” he said with a laugh.

He then turned his attention to the audience, expressing his deep gratitude. “I don’t like to call you guys fans; I like to call you guys people who love music, appreciate music. My whole life, since I was 17, it’s been great people who come to shows. Thank you for that,” he said.

His gratitude then turned deeply personal as he thanked his friends and, most importantly, his family. “When it comes down to it, it’s friends and family — it’s friends and family, really,” he said, before paying tribute to his wife, who he said “changed my life. I got married for the first time at 59 years old.”

Fighting back tears, Hansen concluded his speech with a final, poignant reflection on his two-decade journey with the legendary band.

“I’ve been in this business, I think, about 48, 49 years. I put in my time. I spent 20 years with this fantastic band singing a catalog of songs that a singer couldn’t dream of. And thank you,” he said.

The final shows mark the end of a highly successful chapter for Foreigner. Hansen first announced his departure in May during an appearance on the TV show “The Voice,” in a “passing of the torch” moment with the band’s new lead singer, guitarist Luis Maldonado. Kelly Hansen’s emotional farewell was a fitting and powerful conclusion to a remarkable 20-year run.