This month, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has finally extended a belated welcome to Foreigner, a band that has been waiting for more than two decades to get inducted. The English-American rockers, known for hits like “Cold As Ice”, “Hot Blooded”, and “Waiting For A Girl Like You”, have topped the charts in the 1970s and 1980s, but were surprisingly overlooked by the hall’s original nominating committee, despite being eligible since the 1990s. Foreigner’s induction comes as part of the class of 2024, a marked change in Hall leadership that has led to the recognition of legacy acts like Cher, Peter Frampton, and others.
The band’s keyboardist, Al Greenwood, expressed relief and gratitude at the news, saying “I’m not bitter about it. I mean, we’re finally getting in and that’s great.” Bandmate Rick Wills added, “Sixteen top 30 hits isn’t too shabby.” Despite their impressive discography, Foreigner has faced challenges, including the passing of original bassist Ed Gagliardi and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, as well as Mick Jones’ struggles with Parkinson’s disease.
Foreigner’s induction comes as a result of a public push from Jones’ son-in-law, Mark Ronson, who rallied a group of musical friends, including Sir Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Slash, Jack Black, and Chad Smith. The band’s varied discography, which spans ballads like “I Want To Know What Love Is” to upbeat rockers like “Urgent”, has cemented their place in classic rock history, and their induction is a testament to their enduring popularity.
Foreigner Finally Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame After Two Decades of Waiting (Image via Getty)
The band’s formation is a fascinating story, with Jones recruiting each member, including Greenwood, after meeting him in a storage area of their manager’s office. The fledgling band’s four-song demo was initially rejected by major record labels, but music legend John Kalodner convinced Atlantic Records to give them a chance. Foreigner went on to release four hit albums in five years, solidifying their place in rock history, but unfortunately, not in the Rock Hall.
Foreigner’s induction is a significant milestone for the band, and one that has been a long time coming. “I think a lot of the talent that is in this class has been waiting on the outside as well as Foreigner,” said Greenwood. “I’m just so thankful that I’m in this class with such incredible talent.”
