Foreigner Takes Their Long Overdue Place in the Rock Hall
Foreigner continued a trend at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony that’s been happening for many years now: Finally honoring a band years after they’ve been eligible for induction.
It’s something Sammy Hagar pointed out in his speech inducting the band. The Red Rocker noted the band’s many mega hits, how they’ve sold 80 million records, and the sheer longevity of Foreigner.
Hagar recalled his relationship with guitarist Mick Jones and how Jones told him he was forming a new band. Cut to Hagar driving around one day and hearing “Feels Like The First Time” for the first time on the radio.
“I’m listening, and I’m going, ‘Damn! This guy’s singing his ass off,'” said Hagar. He then noticed the guitar playing on the song, and he immediately knew it was his friend.
Hagar said he remembered thinking, “This has to be Mick’s new band!” He added, “…and I’ve been a fan ever since.”
Hagar stressed just how good Foreigner’s singles were by the fact that they were getting played on Top 40 radio. Notably, he singled out “Jukebox Hero,” and said of the song, “The first time you heard that song, you were jealous. You were like, ‘Aw, damn!'” Hagar also called Lou Gramm’s performance on the track, “One of the greatest rock vocal performances ever.”
A number of people praised Foreigner in a video highlighting their career. However, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith may have described the band best. He said, ” They sounded tough, but there was a sheen to it … They made a lot of people happy with the music they made. They deserve to be in the f—ing Hall of Fame.”
Foreigner was honored with a massive all-star jam featuring Smith on drums, Slash on guitar, and the current members of Foreigner. Demi Lovato fronted a performance of “Feels Like the First Time,” followed by Hagar singing “Hot Blooded” with current Foreigner singer Kelly Hansen. The Foreigner set closed with Kelly Clarkson and original Foreigner singer Gramm singing “I Wanna Know What Love Is.”
Jones, who is the only original member of Foreigner remaining in the band, was not in attendance largely due to dealing with Parkinson’s Disease. His daughter, actress Annabelle Dexter-Jones, spoke on behalf of her father. Her emotional speech, which was written by her father, closed on a sentiment everyone can agree with: “Rock and roll is forever.”
