For over five decades,Lou Gramm has been the voice behind some of rock’s biggest anthems. From his early days with Black Sheep to fronting Foreigner through hits like “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Juke Box Hero,” he’s spent a lifetime on the road.
But now, at 75, Gramm says he’s ready to slow things down — announcing that 2026 will mark his official retirement from touring.
“I’ve been doing this over 54 years, [including initial group] Black Sheep,” he told Ultimate Classic Rock in a recent interview. “You know, that was a professional band. We had two albums out on Capitol Records [and] did some serious touring.”
Gramm noted that there’s more to life than being on the road, and he’s clear about what he wants in this next chapter.
“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.”
The decision to step away comes from a place of fulfillment. Gramm reflected on what he’s accomplished, including his inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“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.”
For Gramm, retirement is about enjoying life without the pressures of a hectic touring schedule. “I’d like to just stay off the road and enjoy my home, the surroundings, and my family and friends, something that I’ve had to sacrifice for over 50 years,” he explained.
Despite his plans, Gramm remains active in the music scene. He’s currently touring with his solo band and still joins Foreigner for special appearances. Fans in Atlantic City will get a chance to see him perform with the band during two upcoming shows.
“I’ve been doing shows with them and I’ve been enjoying it a lot. The band is excellent. They portray the songs [in a way that] an original member of Foreigner would be proud to to to play along with,” he shared with UCR. “They have their own style, but they stick close enough to the original [versions] where no one’s going, ‘Hey, where’s that part?’ So it’s a lot of fun.”
Over the past year, Gramm also reunited with Foreigner’s Mick Jones and Jeff Pilson to finish a few long-lost tracks from the band’s archives. One of those songs, “Turning Back the Time,” was released ahead of Foreigner’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, while another unreleased track, “Fool if You Love Him,” surfaced on the reissue of their 1981 album 4.
Gramm’s retirement news comes shortly afterKelly Hansen announced his own departure from Foreigner. In an interview with People, Hansen said, “I’m trying not to use the word retirement. I don’t even know what that means. I’m not looking for future work. I’m so fortunate to be able to make that choice.”
Hansen, 64, shared that his decision took shape during the COVID-19 lockdown when he experienced life at home in Los Angeles. “I started to have the sense of being home. I started to say, ‘Wow, this is something I haven’t had in my life for a very long time,’” he recalled on The Voice.
He also noted how the pandemic gave him space to reflect on his 50-year career and his desire for stability. “I feel I have some kind of stability financially and otherwise, where I could start thinking about making a choice that’s different than what I’m doing,” Hansen said.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
