By Ed Condran
It certainly wasn’t an urgent matter for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when it came to inducting Foreigner into its hallowed halls.
“We waited 23 years to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” keyboardist Al Greenwood said. “They finally recognized our band. It’s like getting a lifetime achievement award.”
Foreigner is set to be inducted into the Rock Hall on Oct. 19, and the band will celebrate by performing Oct. 25-Nov. 9 at The Venetian on its “Feels Like the Last Time” Tour.
It’ll be a special event since Greenwood, an original member, and bassist Rick Wills, who was with Foreigner from 1979 to 1991, will perform with the band. “The shows in Las Vegas will be something special,” Wills said.
Greenwood and Wills will perform during the encore. “We’ll be happy to play whatever Kelly wants us to play,” Wills said. “We’re very excited to be performing in Las Vegas.”
Wills is referring to vocalist Kelly Hanson, who said that 2024 would be the final year for Foreigner during a 2023 chat with yours truly.
“You can only bounce around like that for so long,” Hanson said. “That kind of performance takes a toll on your body. I’m an acoustic instrument onstage, and so is the drummer (Chris Frazier).
“When you do what we do, there’s a lot of wear and tear on your body parts. Everyone and their brother wants me to continue, but I’ve had enough.”
However, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction is propelling the band forward. “This was going to be the farewell tour,” Wills said.
“But that’s apparently not going to be the case now. There are plans for shows next year, and Al and I will be joining the band on a more regular basis. It’s a new thing since we were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.”
Why stop now since fans are clamoring to experience the many Foreigner hits? “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold as Ice,” “Double Vision,” “Urgent,” “Juke Box Hero,” “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Dirty White Boy” are some of the tunes penned by guitarist Mick Jones and original singer Lou Gramm that charted.
“There are so many great songs that you wonder why we weren’t inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier,” Greenwood said. “But Foreigner is going in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame now, and we’re coming to Las Vegas.”
More: VenetianLasVegas.com
