Kelly Hansen Bids Farewell to FOREIGNER With Surprise Announcement, Luis Maldonado Steps In as New Frontman
In a poignant live moment on NBC’s The Voice, FOREIGNER vocalist Kelly Hansen shocked fans and judges alike by announcing that he will step down as the band’s lead singer after the summer leg of their 2025 farewell tour. The reveal also introduced Luis Maldonado — the band’s longtime guitarist — as Hansen’s handpicked successor.
“Being the voice of FOREIGNER has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Hansen said during the broadcast. “But it’s time to pass the mic. Luis has the voice, the energy, and the soul to carry these songs into the future.”
Founding guitarist Mick Jones praised Hansen for revitalizing the band’s live legacy: “Kelly is one of the best front men in our business… he breathed new life into our songs and gave us a second life. Now, Luis Maldonado will carry us forward.”
Maldonado, best known for his work with TRAIN and Lisa Marie Presley, is no stranger to FOREIGNER. He recently stepped in as lead vocalist during their South American tour to glowing reviews and will officially assume the role full-time as Hansen exits later this year.
“This music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Maldonado said. “I’m ready to honor FOREIGNER’s legacy and bring my heart to every performance.”
Hansen, who joined FOREIGNER in 2005, has spent 20 years commanding arenas with his signature pipes, delivering classics like “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like the First Time,” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” to new generations. Despite not being an original member, Hansen’s performance chops made him an irreplaceable figure during FOREIGNER’s modern era.
The decision to step away, Hansen noted in previous interviews, was rooted in artistic integrity. “I want this band to go out on top… not lesser than it should be,” he explained. “I don’t want to be the guy who stayed too long.”
FOREIGNER’s farewell tour will continue through 2025 and feature both Hansen and Maldonado in a symbolic torch-passing onstage. The transition comes as the band approaches their 50th anniversary, a fitting milestone for a group that continues to chart, stream, and inspire nearly five decades since their formation.
With Jones battling Parkinson’s disease and no original members expected to tour regularly, this next chapter represents not only a farewell to an era — but a new beginning.
