“I don’t think I’ve seen choreography that stiff since the Lee Harvey Oswald prison transfer.” That line was uttered by comedian Dennis Miller in a 1990 HBO Comedy Special but a variation of it could apply to Sunday’s (Jan. 8) big announcement from Foreigner that former members Lou Gramm, Ian McDonald and Al Greenwood would appear on select dates of the band’s mammoth 40th Anniversary world tour.
“They’re not on the whole tour, but there will be some appearances,” co-founder Mick Jones told Billboard. “It’s the right time to do this. I’m looking forward to that and we’ll see how it goes, and I’m sure it’ll go down well.”
That same evening, Gramm refuted that news via his Twitter account, writing: “I Have Not been asked to Join Any Part of the SUMMER 40th FOREIGNER ANNIVERSARY Tour 2017”
I Have Not been asked to Join Any Part of the SUMMER 40th FOREIGNER ANNIVERSARY Tour 2017 @billboard @UltClassicRock https://t.co/nygyTMsBPW
— Lou Gramm (@GrammLou) January 9, 2017
A press release arrived on Monday (Jan. 9) at just after 8 a.m. to formally announce the tour, which the band will commence on July 11 with Cheap Trick and Jason Bonham. The announcement made no mention of Gramm or his fellow Foreigner alums.
Related: Our original story about the tour and reunion
Later that day, Gramm tweeted: “In Hindsight I meant 2 Say that I am considering that . No definite plans . I was caught a bit off guard today . My apologies.
In Hindsight I meant 2 Say that I am considering that . No definite plans . I was caught a bit off guard today .
My apologies. https://t.co/NpZwo7T6In— Lou Gramm (@GrammLou) January 9, 2017
Two hours later, Gramm wrote: “After crossed wires & miscommunication, I can confirm that I and the original band have been invited 2 join Foreigner for a song or two.
After crossed wires & miscommunication, I can confirm that I and the original band have been invited 2 join Foreigner for a song or two.
— Lou Gramm (@GrammLou) January 10, 2017
He added: “Dennis Elliot and Rick Wills will be in St Augustin, FL on 2/24. Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood & I will perform at date yet 2 be determined”
Dennis Elliot and Rick Wills will be in St Augustin, FL on 2/24. Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood & I will perform at date yet 2 be determined
— Lou Gramm (@GrammLou) January 10, 2017
Thus, without diminishing the powerhouse lineup of Foreigner, Cheap Trick and Bonham, the prospects of a more meaningful reunion of one of the most successful classic rock acts to emerge from the late ’70s have been essentially dashed. And, somewhat unnoticed in all of this is Gramm’s own 2017 solo tour, scheduled to begin January 28 with dates currently through June 24.
Foreigner will be releasing a celebratory anniversary album 40 – Forty Hits From Forty Years coming May 5 on Rhino.
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