Rock legend reveals 2026 will be his last year on tour: ‘Wanna go out with a bang’
Lou Gramm has been rocking for more than five decades, and he figures that is just about long enough.
The 76-year-old former frontman of Foreigner announced in 2025 that this would be his final year on tour, and he recently reiterated that the end of his current North American run would mark the end of his time onstage.
"I'm very fortunate that at my age I can still sing and hit the notes and everything, but I don't wanna get to the point where I'm faking it or lowering the key two steps to do the song," Gramm said. "I think this is, for me, a high point, this tour. And finally getting into the Rock Hall of Fame and all the good things, I wanna go out with a bang, and I think that this summer tour is it.
"I've been doing this over 54 years, (including) Black Sheep," he added. "I just feel like there's some other things that I want to do. I want to spend more time with my children — my older children and younger child — and spend more time playing with my cars while I'm still capable of driving."
Gramm said he is looking forward to being able to "stay off the road and enjoy my home, the surroundings and my family and friends, something that I've had to sacrifice for over 50 years."
Gramm told Ultimate Classic Rock something similar last year.
"I just feel like there's some other things that I want to do," he said. "I do want to spend more time with my children — my older children and my younger child — and spend more time playing with my cars while I'm still capable of driving."
When Gramm does play his final show he will wrap up a distinguished career.
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"I've done all there is to do I feel," he said. "And being in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are huge milestones for me. You know, I think in this business, you just know when it's time.
Gramm has been playing with his solo band and has also reunited with Foreigner for special appearances.
"I've been doing shows with them and I've been enjoying it a lot," he told Ultimate Classic Rock. "The band is excellent. They portray the songs (in a way that) an original member of Foreigner would be proud to play along with. They have their own style, but they stick close enough to the original (versions) where no one's going, 'Hey, where's that part?' So it's a lot of fun."
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