In a revealing interview, Lou Gramm, the iconic founding vocalist of Foreigner, shared the profound reasons behind his decision to part ways with the legendary rock band. This pivotal moment occurred in 2003, marking his definitive departure after a remarkable tenure that spanned decades. During a candid discussion with SiriusXM’s Classic Rewind, Gramm recounted the series of events that ultimately led him to leave the band for good.

Reflecting on the late ’90s and early 2000s, Gramm recalled how he and Mick Jones, the band’s founder, collaborated on new material. “In the late ’90s, early 2000s, Mick and I began writing. We put together some really, really good ideas,” he shared (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “We had about seven songs complete and were aiming to finish three or four more to release a new Foreigner album.” This ambition came during a period when the band had not released new music in nearly a decade, although they remained active on tour.

Despite the band’s ongoing tours, Gramm felt a growing sense of discontent. It was during a performance in October 2002, at an event known as ‘Night of the Proms’ in Brussels, Belgium, that he made the momentous decision to leave. “We played in a huge indoor tennis arena that could host four games at once, accommodating 80,000 people. After that series of shows, I knew I had enough,” he confessed, indicating that the lively atmosphere could not mask his internal struggles.

Gramm’s decision was heavily influenced by his strained relationship with Jones. He elaborated, “Mick is the founder and leader of the band, but he wasn’t fulfilling his role like he used to, and he was suppressing a lot of my creativity.” He felt reduced to merely performing vocal parts without the opportunity to contribute creatively, a situation that was untenable for him after years of being a pivotal songwriter. “To be reduced to just a non-creative role after contributing to every hit song over two decades was disheartening,” Gramm expressed.

Lou Gramm Reflects on His Unwavering Decision to Leave Foreigner

Following the significant concert in Belgium, Gramm returned to the United States and promptly notified the band’s management of his intention to leave, officially departing in early 2003. He recalled the conversations that ensued, saying, “’Why? What could be wrong? Everything’s going so good?’” Gramm asserted that the reality was quite different, stating, “It’s not going good. I’m being shut out creatively, which is extremely important to me. I’m not just a singer—I’m a songwriter. I always have been, even before Foreigner.” His resolute stance led him to part ways with the band, a decision he proudly claims he has never regretted.

After Gramm’s departure, Kelly Hansen stepped in as Foreigner’s new frontman, a role he has successfully maintained since 2005. Meanwhile, Gramm experienced over a decade of estrangement from the band. However, he eventually reconciled with them during a few special performances in 2017, celebrating Foreigner’s 40th anniversary and most recently joining the current lineup during their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.