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A 'Foreigner' in BR

Frontman Kelly Hansen talks about humble beginnings, worldwide success

By Kristina Stafford

Foreigner's mixture of breezy blues and flawlessly crafted pop continues to captivate generation after generation of music fans. Founded in 1976, Foreigner has sold more than 70 million albums and has experienced multi-platinum success around the world. Tiger Weekly got a chance to catch up with Kelly Hansen, the frontman and vocalist for Foreigner, before the band's May 13 show at the Baton Rouge River Center to ask him about the band, the new tour, and what's in store for the future of this classic rock phenomenon.

TW: What do you feel has contributed to Foreigner's ongoing success?

KH: I think it comes down to great, timeless songs. At the time that Foreigner was started all bands were allowed to be more creative and I think that has a lot to do with our success. I also think the mix of British and American rock makes for some great music.

TW: Who were your childhood music heroes?

KH: This may be surprising, but I didn't listen to much rock when I was younger. I liked R & B artists like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, and Ray Charles. I didn't get into rock until I was older. I remember buying a Johnny Nash record from a garage sale for 25 cents, and practicing the vocals for 'I Can See Clearly Now' in my bedroom.

TW: Was your first dream to become a singer?

KH: Well, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I graduated high school clueless about my next step. I actually fell into the band Hurricane by accident, and it all started from there. I guess I just got lucky.

TW: Do you have any hobbies aside from music?

KH: I know it may sound crazy, but I like just being at home. When you are out on the road you realize how much you take the little things for granted, like a homemade dinner. I love to cook, read, and drive my Porsche. I just like to be a real human being [laughs].

TW: What is the set list going to be like for the River Center Arena show?

KH: We are going to play some old songs and some new stuff. I wish we could do all the songs, but it just comes down to time. We just don't have enough time to play everything. I think that we have picked a pretty good list of songs for the performance, though. Hopefully no one will be disappointed.

TW: If the members of Foreigner were on Jeopardy, who would be the smartest?

KH: [laughs] Well, we all have our forte. Mick Jones is a crossword wiz, so his trivial background may push him to the top. I love to read, so that may help me in some categories. I am not sure, but I bet it would be a great game!

TW: Have you ever written a song for a particular woman?

KH: Let's see. I have written a few songs for my mother, but I don't think any of them have been recorded. Most of the time, even if the idea for a song was inspired by a woman; the song takes on a life of its own. The idea always turns into something much bigger than just one woman.

TW: If Foreigner and Journey were in a kung-fu battle, which would come out victorious?

KH: [laughs] That would be a great matchup! Journey is a great band, with many good hits, but I think that Foreigner rocks harder.

TW: What are your plans for the future?

KH: We have a ton of plans; the only problem is choosing which path we want to take. For the rest of the year we will be busy touring. After that I hope to record some more music. We are also in talks with VH1 about a possible reality show. Nothing is certain yet, but I would love to do a reality show.

Tickets are already on sale for Foreigner's May 13 performance (alongside Styx and Kansas) and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. Seats run from $19.85 to $91.70. For more information on Foreigner visit foreigneronline.com.

Originally Published: May 5, 2010

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