Original Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm recently discussed the deteriorating health of the band’s founding guitarist, Mick Jones, revealing the severe progression of his illness.
During an appearance on SPIN magazine’s “Lipps Service With Scott Lipps” podcast, the singer was asked about the current status of his relationship with his former bandmate.
“It’s pretty good. He’s in end stages of Alzheimer’s. So our conversations are… I can’t tell how he is. He’s distant,” he replied (via Blabbermouth).
Lou Gramm is participating as a special guest on select dates of Foreigner‘s 50th-anniversary tour. In a separate interview with the News-Press, he explained that his decision to join the trek was heavily motivated by a desire to honor the guitarist, who had previously been announced as battling Parkinson’s disease.
“This Foreigner is Mick‘s creation,” he stated, discussing the current touring lineup. “He played with them for, I don’t know, 25 years or so. And he’s unable to play any more. He’s in the end stages [of Parkinson’s disease].”
Detailing his motivation for returning to the stage, he added: “The last time I talked to him, I told him that I would go out with the band for the 50th anniversary. And that made him really happy. I think it’s an honor to go out anyway. So I couldn’t be happier. I’m doing it in the name of the band and for Mick… I think it’s the right thing to do, and I like singing those songs. And this version of Foreigner is very good.”
The vocalist also offered high praise for the musicians currently operating under the Foreigner banner, noting their accuracy in replicating the original studio recordings.
“They’re great guys. They play the music the way it’s supposed to be played, and everything’s comfortable… They love the music. They play the music right, and they’re very friendly, you know? They stay very close to the parts that were on the albums. And so for the audience, it’s like hearing the record. That’s what I like, too. That makes it easier for me to sing.”
Mick Jones officially stopped performing live with Foreigner in 2023. He publicly disclosed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis a few months prior to the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an event he was ultimately unable to attend due to his declining health.
The current live incarnation of Foreigner features lead vocalist and guitarist Luis Maldonado, bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, lead guitarist Bruce Watson, drummer Chris Frazier and guitarist John Roth.
