by Kelly Hansen, the longtime frontman of Foreigner, delivered an emotional farewell speech on October 11 in Atlantic City. The speech marked the end of his 20-year tenure with the legendary rock band. The heartfelt moment was captured in a fan video shared on YouTube.
During his final performance, Hansen took time to express gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout his journey with the band. His speech touched on the crew, management, fans, friends, and his personal life.
“Thank you. Thank you very much. I just wanna take a couple of minutes… And I had to bring my phone out with me so I could look at my notes,” Hansen said. “I just wanna do one group hug. Secondly, I just wanna thank the crew. There are many people who, every day, drive long hours in the middle of the night to get here very early in the morning to set up this gear, to set up these lights to make us look and sound as good as we possibly can.”
Hansen also praised the band’s management team, particularly Phil Carson and Stewart Young, for their dedication over the years.
“Phil Carson’s over here. He’s English. And many times we’ve clashed because he wants to do some crazy bullshit thing and I have to call him out and I have to say, ‘No, we can’t do it.’ And he’s still here. This man is a fucking juggernaut and he’s 80 years old and he’s a motherfucker,” Hansen continued. “Along with Merrie Hart and Stewart, they’ve just done amazing things for this band over 20 years.”
The singer expressed deep appreciation for the fans who have supported him throughout his career.
“If I could even string together the number of times that I’ve had experiences with fans — or I don’t like to call you guys fans; I like to call you guys people who love music, appreciate music. My whole life, since I was 17, it’s been great people who come to shows. Thank you for that,” he said.
In a particularly personal moment, Hansen revealed a significant milestone in his life.
“I wanna thank my wife. [She] changed my life. I got married for the first time at 59 years old,” he shared.
Hansen concluded by reflecting on his long career and his time with Foreigner.
“I’ve been in this business, I think, about 48, 49 years. I put in my time. I spent 20 years with this fantastic band singing a catalog of songs that a singer couldn’t dream of. And thank you,” Hansen said.
Hansen’s departure comes after nearly five decades in the music industry. His decision was influenced by a desire to prioritize happiness, friends, and family over continuous touring. The COVID-19 pandemic gave him time to reflect and reshape his perspective on life and career. This ultimately led to his choice to step away and let someone else carry Foreigner’s legacy forward.
KLPX reported that Luis Maldonado has been named as Hansen’s replacement and Foreigner’s new lead singer. Maldonado, who previously served as the band’s guitarist, was officially introduced as the new frontman during Foreigner’s performance on the May 20, 2025 season finale of NBC’s The Voice.
Maldonado had already gained experience as Foreigner’s interim lead singer during a Latin American tour before being officially announced as Hansen’s permanent successor. Hansen expressed pride in Maldonado’s talent and commitment to carrying on the band’s legacy as the group moves into its next chapter.
Metal Wani noted that Foreigner’s 2025 tour serves as a farewell run for Hansen. The tour marks the end of his tenure and the beginning of Maldonado’s era as lead singer. While there is no detailed public announcement yet about Foreigner’s long-term plans beyond the transition, Hansen has indicated his intent to enjoy life outside of relentless touring.
The transition marks a significant moment for Foreigner as the band continues its legacy with a new voice at the helm. Hansen embarks on a new chapter focused on personal fulfillment and the relationships that matter most to him.
