Foreigner Singer Lou Gramm Hospitalized, Drops Off Band’s Reunion Tour
The band announced on Tuesday (Oct. 1) that Gramm was hospitalized last week due to a severe respiratory infection, dehydration and fatigue, forcing him off the group's reunion tour.
Foreigner revealed on Tuesday (Oct. 1) that singer Lou Gramm, 69, has been forced to sit out the group’s Double Vision: Then & Now tour due to serious medical issues. In a tweet, the band wrote that Gramm was hospitalized in Rochester, New York, last week with a “severe respiratory infection, dehydration and fatigue.”
Though he’d prepared for the 40th anniversary tour, a doctor reportedly told Gramm on Tuesday that he would be unable to perform on the shows. In a note to fans, he wrote, “I’m very disappointed about not being able to perform at the FOREIGNER Double Vision: Then & Now shows for all the fans. My doctor insists if I pushed myself to perform, I would be in big trouble. So doctor’s orders, I ride the bench. Rock on.”
Gramm fronted the band from its inception in 1976 until 1990 and rejoined in 1992 until 2003 before splitting again and signing up a third time in 2017 for sporadic reunion gigs. He is known for his muscular vocals on such hits as “Cold As Ice,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Head Games,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You” among many others.
Lou Gramm was hospitalized in Rochester, NY last week with a severe respiratory infection, dehydration and fatigue. He had hoped to be ready for the FOREIGNER Double Vision: Then & Now tour. Unfortunately, today his doctor pronounced him unable to perform at these shows. pic.twitter.com/o8nwNowD32
— Foreigner (@ForeignerMusic) October 1, 2019
In a statement, Jones added, “We will all miss Lou at our upcoming shows and we join all his family, friends, and fans in wishing him a speedy recovery.”
A spokesperson for the group confirmed Gramm’s hospitalization and noted that requests for refunds can be addressed at point of purchase before the concert date. The Mick Jones-led band announced the tour last month, slated to feature the current lineup performing with the classic one to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Original members singer Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, guitarist Ian McDonald, keyboardist Al Greenwood and bassist Rick Wills are slated to take the stage with Jones and the current lineup of guitarist Tom Gimbel, bassist Jeff Pilson, singer Kelly Hansen, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, guitarist Bruce Watson and drummer Chris Frazier.
The tour will march on without Gramm on Wednesday night (Oct. 3) when it touches down at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
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