Classic rock singer releases first new song in 17 years: A nostalgic journey

s a real nostalgia trip,” Gramm said in a statement. “When I pulled these songs out of the vault, I knew I had to finish them for my fans around the world so they can experience what I did when I first heard them after all these years.”“It means a lot to me to finally see this album released, to be taken back in time when I hear this music again, to remember working with all these great musicians, and to feel that my catalog is now complete.”Gramm, a Rochester native living in Webster, N.Y., co-founded Foreigner with guitarist Mick Jones and served as the band’s original lead vocalist. Together, they created iconic hits such as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” and “Cold As Ice.”Gramm left Foreigner in 1990 and again in 2003 to pursue his solo music career. Throughout his career, he has also been part of bands like Black Sheep and Poor Heart, and collaborated on albums with Shadow King (featuring Vivian Campbell) in 1991 and The Lou Gramm Band in 2009. Additionally, he has released compilations and reissues of previous works, the most recent being “Questions and Answers: The Atlantic Anthology 1987-1989” in 2021.Gramm has recently reunited with Foreigner as a guest vocalist for special concert appearances, including a celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary. The current Foreigner lineup consists of singer Luis Maldonado, bassist Jeff Pilson, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, guitarist Bruce Watson, and drummer Chris Frazier, with former lead vocalist Kelly Hansen stepping down in October after 20 years with the group.Mick Jones, the only remaining original member of Foreigner, has not performed live since 2022 due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Gramm has expressed his intention to retire in the near future after the release of his solo album, citing a desire to spend more time with his family and engage in other personal interests.“I’ve been doing this over 54 years,” Gramm stated. “I just feel like there’s some other things that I want to do. I want to spend more time with my children — my older children and my younger child — and spend more time playing with my cars while I’m still capable of driving.”Gramm added, “I’ve done all there is to do, I feel. And being in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are huge milestones for me. You know, I think in this business, you just know when it’s time.”Lou Gramm’s upcoming album “Released” is a culmination of decades of unreleased material that he feels driven to share with his fans. With a blend of powerful lyrics, vintage sounds, and the collaboration of talented musicians, the album promises to be a heartfelt journey through Gramm’s musical career.