Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I'm Jeff Stevens. Thanks for listening to my eighties show podcast.
Big news happened during the Voice finale. Just recently, Kelly
Hanson of Foreigner announced he would be stepping down as
lead singer of Foreigner at the end of this summer.
We get to talk to him now about that and
the emotional and exciting summer that's coming up. Kelly, how
the heck are you? Man?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
How you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:21):
I'm doing great, man. Now the sunglasses still on because
the partying night after the Voice.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Well, it's you know, six am in La. Come on,
I didn't break.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
I know, I've just given you a hard time. I
thought that was pretty cute in the video. You're like,
we had a lot of fun after the show the
other night. So that was fine.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I mean, we really, we really did. It's it's there's
an emotional level of stuff going on that's going to
go up and down. I know for the next three months.
It's going to be, you know, a roller coaster and
uh so, yeah, yeah so especially early morning.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah I bet so.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
So.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Obviously, you know, big Foreigner fan, big Kelly Hanson fan. Obviously,
twenty years in the band, you have just extended the
legacy of this band in such a great way. We
were all pretty shocked to get that announcement and see
you make the announcement literally as you were, you know,
segueing songs on the Voice the other night. Did you
feel like that was just a really good chance to
(01:20):
have a huge audience to say, you know what, this
is the time for this.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yeah, we were thinking about how we make this transition
and do it in a respectful way but also in
a way that informs everybody. And then the Voice called
and they wanted us to play on the finale, and
I said to our manager, I said, this would be
a really great time to make this announcement. And the
Voice was really into it, and so they were very supportive.
(01:46):
They're a great team of people over there, and I
thought that it would be a really a really beautiful
way to kind of pass the mic.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
I mean it really you had a huge stage, I
mean literally and figuratively to literally handed off to Luis
guitar player. I know he was in trained before and
has been with Foreigner now for a while. How did
that all come about? Did it did it just be
was it just something where you, you know, you guys
kind of bonded, and you're thinking, you know what, he
would be a great guy to hand this off to.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, Luis is a very talented guy all around, and
and I already knew how well he could sing because
he's been in the band and he lives and breathes music,
you know, And so it made perfect sense that somebody
who our audience already knew to be the guy representing
(02:36):
these songs. It was kind of a no brainer. He's
he's full of talent, he's ready for it, and so
it just all made sense.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, how did it go with with Mick? I'm sure
that was an interesting conversation. I mean, you know you've
been with him for you know, over twenty years. Did
there you know, their conversation where you're like, hey, can
I sit down? Can I talk to you about this?
I mean, how did that go?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yeah? I originally spoke to Mick at this in probably
twenty twenty two, Okay, because after COVID I started thinking
to myself, because even before COVID, I was saying, Gee,
it would be nice to have, you know, six months
off because we've been on the road nine months a
year every year for twenty years.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
And that that's a long time to be away from
family and your house and all kinds of stuff. But
it's I'm very, very grateful to have had that opportunity.
That's not lost on me one bit. But after almost
fifty years in the business and twenty years in the
spand I just wanted to make a change for me
and my family. So I talked to Hick about it,
(03:36):
and he was like, he of course wanted me to stay.
He understood exactly what I was talking about. We had
We've always had really great communication, and he was very
supportive about it, and I really appreciated that because it
was a really meaningful decision for me.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Talking to Kelly Hanson, a foreigner, I was so excited
to hear that this isn't like tomorrow you're gone or
you know the voice was it. I mean, you're going
through the summer, So we have I think you said
something like forty some opportunities to catch you leading foreigner
through this summer of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
That's that's right, and I want to encourage everybody please
come out and party with me and the band for
this one last summer with me. Of course, the band
will continue, but I want to have the opportunity to
really enjoy these shows. I really enjoy performing for the audiences.
It's going to be very emotional. I think we're going
to have some surprises. I know that we're playing in uh,
(04:29):
I'm looking at it here on my computer. We're playing
in Columbus. That's the only Ohio show that I can
see right here. Oh. No, we're going to be in
North Lawrence as well. Well.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Columbus is all bad. That's that's only about that's only
about an hour away. When is that one?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Right? It is in July twenty fourth at the Ohio
State Fair.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Oh beautiful. Oh that's that's huge. Yeah, tons of people there.
And I think you guys have done that when at
you know, different points over the years. So that'll be
great to have.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
You calla blur, salla blur. All state fairs are just
a blur with the funnel cakes.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Deep and all right. So, Kelly Hanson's favorite fair food.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Goo probably in some parts of the country it's barbecue.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Oh yes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
I mean I don't really get to eat too much
fair food because I'm trying to be healthy. Right, we
all know that fair food is not really that healthy,
so you know, what I'll leave that. I'll leave that
to the people who like deep fried butter and yes exactly.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Hey, after the tour ends, you'll be able to have
a little bit more of that stuff, you know that
doesn't where you don't have to worry about it messing
with your voice. So I've always I've gotten to see
you probably six or seven times with Foreigner the last
twenty years, and I'm always just so impressed with your
energy and your stage presence. I got to tell you,
I've I've been in a band for thirty years, and
we do we do feels like the first time, and
(05:51):
everybody's like, you guys need to do urgent and jukebox here.
I'm like, lead singer can't handle it. I can. I
can barely get through feels like the first time. But
I actually I saw you in Cincinnati and you were
wearing white Puma's with a with the black you know
Puma thing, and I'm like, all right, that's it. And
I went out the next day and I bought the Pumas.
I'm like, I got it. It's gonna help me sing.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Back, But where's my cut?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
I know, right, Puma needs to you get an endorsement
from Kelly Hansen for Puma.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I sold one pair of shoes.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
You certainly, and it was the next day I went
out and bottom that's awesome. Yeah, it's you inspired me.
So every time I put them on, I know I'm
gonna have a good night. That's right. What would this
has got to be like, you know, what's your favorite child?
Type of question? But is there a favorite foreigner song
that when you get to it you're like, oh, yeah,
I mean they're all so good. Well, I don't know
if you could pick one.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Well, see the thing is, and you're a singer, maybe
you can relate. I mean, we are very fortunate to
be in a band where every song is a well
known song. Yes, And and I'm not a favorite type
of guy in music or literature or or movies. I
just know that I have if I do an analogy,
our songs are like a big basket of beauty fleet
(07:00):
ripe fruit and I get a chance to one day
I'm saying I want an orange, or one day I
say I want an apple. And you know, night to night,
the vibe is different every night because of all the variables,
and you know, the ambience is at outdoors indoors, daytime, nighttime,
and I'm just fortunate, and so you know, one night
will really be grooving on one tune and then another
(07:22):
night really grooving on another tune. So I'm just happy
that I have this huge, beautiful basket of fruit to
choose from.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
That's a great answer. Does it blow you away to
hear the audience singing back to you? Because every Foreigner
song is a sing along song.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
That's true, and it's really mind boggling. And it's even
more mind boggling when you leave the US and you
play Bulgaria And we played Bulgaria for the first time
and they sang every song all through the song, all
night long, and it was mind blowing.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah, I bet so. A couple more seconds here with
Kelly Hanson, who just announced he's retiring from Foreigner, but
it's at the end of the summer, so we have
a bunch of chances to see you over the summer.
Have you thought about what that actual last gig is
going to be, like, I mean, obviously you said the
whole summer is going to be emotional, What about the
last time you're on the stage is that I'm sure
(08:16):
it's hard to process.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I can't even fathom what that's going to be. Like,
I'm I'm just hoping I can get through it right right.
The emotions go up and down constantly. I was very
anxious on the voice doing that. I broke down coming
off the stage after that show, and so it's a
big deal for me.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Yeah, I tell you what. The Foreigner fans love you man,
you are, you have. You have taken Mick and lou
and you've You've made them proud. You've made all of
us proud. And I liked you back to the Hurricane days.
So when I heard that you were joining Foreigner, I'm like, yeah,
I love this guy and you have. That's great. You've
embodied all those songs, You've made him your own, but
you've also stayed true to the originals, which I mean
(08:56):
that just doesn't happen every day when somebody like lou Graham,
you know, has to be replaced, and so you've done it.
I'm sure Louise is going to do a great job
and we look forward to that. But thank you for
twenty great years. Man, Seriously, and.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
I'm trying not to use the word retirement. I'm just
I'm exiting and going on to a new chapter.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Kind of all right, Well that's I like that even better.
And and believe me, we'll see you in Columbus on
July twenty fourth, because if you're gonna be that close,
I want to I want to get another shot. And
it's gonna be awesome, awesome to have you around.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I'm really going to enjoy this summer.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
I know it.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
So it's gonna be great.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
All right, Kelly, thank you so much, and thanks for
taking the time this morning. Congratulations, Thank you very much.
Have a great summer, all right, you too, Thanks, buddy.
I will, okay, I know you will.
I'm Jeff Stevens. Thanks for listening to my eighties show podcast.
Big news happened during the Voice finale. Just recently, Kelly
Hanson of Foreigner announced he would be stepping down as
lead singer of Foreigner at the end of this summer.
We get to talk to him now about that and
the emotional and exciting summer that's coming up. Kelly, how
the heck are you? Man?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
How you doing?
Speaker 1 (00:21):
I'm doing great, man. Now the sunglasses still on because
the partying night after the Voice.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Well, it's you know, six am in La. Come on,
I didn't break.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
I know, I've just given you a hard time. I
thought that was pretty cute in the video. You're like,
we had a lot of fun after the show the
other night. So that was fine.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
I mean, we really, we really did. It's it's there's
an emotional level of stuff going on that's going to
go up and down. I know for the next three months.
It's going to be, you know, a roller coaster and
uh so, yeah, yeah so especially early morning.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
Yeah I bet so.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
So.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Obviously, you know, big Foreigner fan, big Kelly Hanson fan. Obviously,
twenty years in the band, you have just extended the
legacy of this band in such a great way. We
were all pretty shocked to get that announcement and see
you make the announcement literally as you were, you know,
segueing songs on the Voice the other night. Did you
feel like that was just a really good chance to
(01:20):
have a huge audience to say, you know what, this
is the time for this.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
Yeah, we were thinking about how we make this transition
and do it in a respectful way but also in
a way that informs everybody. And then the Voice called
and they wanted us to play on the finale, and
I said to our manager, I said, this would be
a really great time to make this announcement. And the
Voice was really into it, and so they were very supportive.
(01:46):
They're a great team of people over there, and I
thought that it would be a really a really beautiful
way to kind of pass the mic.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
I mean it really you had a huge stage, I
mean literally and figuratively to literally handed off to Luis
guitar player. I know he was in trained before and
has been with Foreigner now for a while. How did
that all come about? Did it did it just be
was it just something where you, you know, you guys
kind of bonded, and you're thinking, you know what, he
would be a great guy to hand this off to.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Well, Luis is a very talented guy all around, and
and I already knew how well he could sing because
he's been in the band and he lives and breathes music,
you know, And so it made perfect sense that somebody
who our audience already knew to be the guy representing
(02:36):
these songs. It was kind of a no brainer. He's
he's full of talent, he's ready for it, and so
it just all made sense.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Yeah, how did it go with with Mick? I'm sure
that was an interesting conversation. I mean, you know you've
been with him for you know, over twenty years. Did
there you know, their conversation where you're like, hey, can
I sit down? Can I talk to you about this?
I mean, how did that go?
Speaker 2 (02:58):
Yeah? I originally spoke to Mick at this in probably
twenty twenty two, Okay, because after COVID I started thinking
to myself, because even before COVID, I was saying, Gee,
it would be nice to have, you know, six months
off because we've been on the road nine months a
year every year for twenty years.
Speaker 1 (03:14):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (03:15):
And that that's a long time to be away from
family and your house and all kinds of stuff. But
it's I'm very, very grateful to have had that opportunity.
That's not lost on me one bit. But after almost
fifty years in the business and twenty years in the
spand I just wanted to make a change for me
and my family. So I talked to Hick about it,
(03:36):
and he was like, he of course wanted me to stay.
He understood exactly what I was talking about. We had
We've always had really great communication, and he was very
supportive about it, and I really appreciated that because it
was a really meaningful decision for me.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Talking to Kelly Hanson, a foreigner, I was so excited
to hear that this isn't like tomorrow you're gone or
you know the voice was it. I mean, you're going
through the summer, So we have I think you said
something like forty some opportunities to catch you leading foreigner
through this summer of twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
That's that's right, and I want to encourage everybody please
come out and party with me and the band for
this one last summer with me. Of course, the band
will continue, but I want to have the opportunity to
really enjoy these shows. I really enjoy performing for the audiences.
It's going to be very emotional. I think we're going
to have some surprises. I know that we're playing in uh,
(04:29):
I'm looking at it here on my computer. We're playing
in Columbus. That's the only Ohio show that I can
see right here. Oh. No, we're going to be in
North Lawrence as well. Well.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
Columbus is all bad. That's that's only about that's only
about an hour away. When is that one?
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Right? It is in July twenty fourth at the Ohio
State Fair.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Oh beautiful. Oh that's that's huge. Yeah, tons of people there.
And I think you guys have done that when at
you know, different points over the years. So that'll be
great to have.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
You calla blur, salla blur. All state fairs are just
a blur with the funnel cakes.
Speaker 1 (05:03):
Deep and all right. So, Kelly Hanson's favorite fair food.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Goo probably in some parts of the country it's barbecue.
Speaker 1 (05:13):
Oh yes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
I mean I don't really get to eat too much
fair food because I'm trying to be healthy. Right, we
all know that fair food is not really that healthy,
so you know, what I'll leave that. I'll leave that
to the people who like deep fried butter and yes exactly.
Speaker 1 (05:29):
Hey, after the tour ends, you'll be able to have
a little bit more of that stuff, you know that
doesn't where you don't have to worry about it messing
with your voice. So I've always I've gotten to see
you probably six or seven times with Foreigner the last
twenty years, and I'm always just so impressed with your
energy and your stage presence. I got to tell you,
I've I've been in a band for thirty years, and
we do we do feels like the first time, and
(05:51):
everybody's like, you guys need to do urgent and jukebox here.
I'm like, lead singer can't handle it. I can. I
can barely get through feels like the first time. But
I actually I saw you in Cincinnati and you were
wearing white Puma's with a with the black you know
Puma thing, and I'm like, all right, that's it. And
I went out the next day and I bought the Pumas.
I'm like, I got it. It's gonna help me sing.
Speaker 2 (06:10):
Back, But where's my cut?
Speaker 1 (06:12):
I know, right, Puma needs to you get an endorsement
from Kelly Hansen for Puma.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
I sold one pair of shoes.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
You certainly, and it was the next day I went
out and bottom that's awesome. Yeah, it's you inspired me.
So every time I put them on, I know I'm
gonna have a good night. That's right. What would this
has got to be like, you know, what's your favorite child?
Type of question? But is there a favorite foreigner song
that when you get to it you're like, oh, yeah,
I mean they're all so good. Well, I don't know
if you could pick one.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Well, see the thing is, and you're a singer, maybe
you can relate. I mean, we are very fortunate to
be in a band where every song is a well
known song. Yes, And and I'm not a favorite type
of guy in music or literature or or movies. I
just know that I have if I do an analogy,
our songs are like a big basket of beauty fleet
(07:00):
ripe fruit and I get a chance to one day
I'm saying I want an orange, or one day I
say I want an apple. And you know, night to night,
the vibe is different every night because of all the variables,
and you know, the ambience is at outdoors indoors, daytime, nighttime,
and I'm just fortunate, and so you know, one night
will really be grooving on one tune and then another
(07:22):
night really grooving on another tune. So I'm just happy
that I have this huge, beautiful basket of fruit to
choose from.
Speaker 1 (07:29):
That's a great answer. Does it blow you away to
hear the audience singing back to you? Because every Foreigner
song is a sing along song.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
That's true, and it's really mind boggling. And it's even
more mind boggling when you leave the US and you
play Bulgaria And we played Bulgaria for the first time
and they sang every song all through the song, all
night long, and it was mind blowing.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
Yeah, I bet so. A couple more seconds here with
Kelly Hanson, who just announced he's retiring from Foreigner, but
it's at the end of the summer, so we have
a bunch of chances to see you over the summer.
Have you thought about what that actual last gig is
going to be, like, I mean, obviously you said the
whole summer is going to be emotional, What about the
last time you're on the stage is that I'm sure
(08:16):
it's hard to process.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
I can't even fathom what that's going to be. Like,
I'm I'm just hoping I can get through it right right.
The emotions go up and down constantly. I was very
anxious on the voice doing that. I broke down coming
off the stage after that show, and so it's a
big deal for me.
Speaker 1 (08:35):
Yeah, I tell you what. The Foreigner fans love you man,
you are, you have. You have taken Mick and lou
and you've You've made them proud. You've made all of
us proud. And I liked you back to the Hurricane days.
So when I heard that you were joining Foreigner, I'm like, yeah,
I love this guy and you have. That's great. You've
embodied all those songs, You've made him your own, but
you've also stayed true to the originals, which I mean
(08:56):
that just doesn't happen every day when somebody like lou Graham,
you know, has to be replaced, and so you've done it.
I'm sure Louise is going to do a great job
and we look forward to that. But thank you for
twenty great years. Man, Seriously, and.
Speaker 2 (09:10):
I'm trying not to use the word retirement. I'm just
I'm exiting and going on to a new chapter.
Speaker 1 (09:15):
Kind of all right, Well that's I like that even better.
And and believe me, we'll see you in Columbus on
July twenty fourth, because if you're gonna be that close,
I want to I want to get another shot. And
it's gonna be awesome, awesome to have you around.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
I'm really going to enjoy this summer.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
I know it.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
So it's gonna be great.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
All right, Kelly, thank you so much, and thanks for
taking the time this morning. Congratulations, Thank you very much.
Have a great summer, all right, you too, Thanks, buddy.
I will, okay, I know you will.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
True Crime Tonight
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.