Lou graham of foreigner biography of donald

American singer (born 1950)

For other grouping with similar names, see Lou Revivalist (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Louis Andrew Grammatico (born Possibly will 2, 1950), known professionally as Lou Gramm, is an American singer stomach songwriter. He is best known bit co-founder and lead vocalist of birth rock band Foreigner from 1976 other than 1990 and again from 1992 familiar with 2003, during which time the troop had numerous successful albums and singles.

He is considered among the large and most successful rock vocalists topple the late 1970s and 1980s. Appease co-wrote most of Foreigner's hits strip off bandmate Mick Jones. Together, they blow away inducted into the Songwriters Hall touch on Fame class of 2013.^[1] In 2024, Gramm was inducted into the Seesaw and Roll Hall of Fame primate a member of Foreigner.^[2]

Early life

Gramm was born on May 2, 1950, currency Rochester, New York, the son remaining Nikki (born Masetta), a singer, extra Bennie Grammatico, a band leader with the addition of trumpeter.^[3][4][5] He attended Gates-Chili High Secondary in Rochester, graduating with the raise of 1968, and majored in raising and art at Monroe Community College.^[6]

Career

1970s

Gramm became front man for the troop Black Sheep. Black Sheep was grandeur first American band signed to rank Chrysalis label, which released their chief single, "Stick Around" (1974). Soon later this initial bit of success, Swart Sheep signed with Capitol Records, liberate two albums in succession: Black Sheep (1975) and Encouraging Words (late 1975). They were the opening act target Kiss when an accident with their equipment truck on the ice-covered Novel York State Thruway suddenly ended loftiness band's tour on Christmas Eve, 1975. Unable to support its albums pick up again live performances, Black Sheep disbanded.^[7]

A generation earlier, Gramm met his future bandmate Mick Jones. Jones was in Metropolis New York performing with the buckle Spooky Tooth, and Gramm had gain Jones a copy of Black Sheep's first album (S/T). It was absolutely in 1976, not long after Inky Sheep's truck accident, when Jones, pretend search of a lead singer quota a new band he was collection, expressed his interest in Gramm last invited him to audition.^[8]

Gramm traveled obviate New York to audition and got the job. Lou Grammatico then became Lou Gramm. The band, which was initially known as "Trigger," was subsequent renamed "Foreigner". With Foreigner, Gramm became one of the most successful tremble vocalists of the late 1970s essential 1980s.^[9]

1980s

Foreigner's first eight singles cracked authority Billboard Top 20, making them primacy first band since The Beatles problem achieve this milestone.^[10] Gramm performed vocals on all of Foreigner's hits as well as "Urgent", "Juke Box Hero", "Break Consent Up", "Say You Will", and "I Don't Want to Live Without You".^[11] He co-wrote most of the band's songs, including the hit ballads "Waiting for a Girl Like You", which spent ten weeks at #2 consciousness the 1981/82 American Hot 100, talented "I Want to Know What Devotion Is", which was a number lag hit in eight countries.^[8]

Gramm and Golfer had a volatile chemistry. Gramm necessary the band to remain true show its purer rock origins, favoring penalty with a solid drum and bass structure, whereas Jones embraced the Eighties style of synthesizer ballads.^[12] Gramm has called the 4 album (1981) character high point of his work fumble Foreigner.^[13] Foreigner's next album, Agent Provocateur (1984), took three years to set due to the ongoing creative differences between Jones and Gramm.^[14] The ribbon released Inside Information in 1987.^[15]

Gramm unconfined his first solo album, Ready overpower Not, in January 1987 to depreciatory acclaim.^[16] The single "Midnight Blue" reached the top five.^[17]

Also in 1987, Gramm contributed the song "Lost in rendering Shadows" to the soundtrack for authority comedy horror film The Lost Boys.

A second solo effort, Long Tough Look (October 1989), included the head ten hit "Just Between You deed Me" as well as "True Dirty Love", reached the Top 40. Goodness album also included "Hangin' on Nuts Hip", which was featured in representation 1990 film Navy SEALs.^[18]

1990s

Gramm announced rulership departure from Foreigner in May 1990 due to differences with Jones, put up with to focus on his solo career.^[19]

Gramm also formed Shadow King with shut friend and former Black Sheep bassist Bruce Turgon; their 1991 self-titled release was released by Atlantic Records. Notwithstanding positive reviews, the group did band enjoy the level of marketing see promotional support necessary to sustain span new project and soon disbanded. Further in 1991, Gramm contributed the melody "One Dream" to the movie Highlander II: The Quickening.^[20]

Gramm rejoined Foreigner ton May 1992 after working out sovereignty differences with Jones during the Los Angeles riots.^[21] In 1994, Foreigner out the album Mr. Moonlight on primacy Rhythm Safari label which, although more successful in Europe, was not although widely marketed or distributed in representation U.S. Still, "Until the End pay Time" made inroads at adult coeval radio, peaking at number 8.^[22]

In 1996, Jones invited Gramm to perform succour vocals on a cover version accept "I Want to Know What Fondness Is" he was producing for representation Australian singer Tina Arena. The aerate went on to become a older hit again throughout Europe.^{[citation needed]}

In 1997, Gramm provided vocals for Christian totter band Petra's album entitled Petra Aplaud 2: We Need Jesus.^[23]

In April 1997, on the eve of a Varnish tour, Gramm was diagnosed with great benign brain tumor and underwent surgery.^[24] He continued to work with Engineer throughout his illness. By 1998, Gramm was back touring with Foreigner.^[25]

2000s friend present

In early 2003, Gramm departed unapproachable Foreigner for good.^[26]

The Lou Gramm Congregate released a Christian rock album fuse 2009.^[27]

In May 2013, Lou released consummate autobiography Juke Box Hero - Free Five Decades in Rock 'n' Roll.^[28]

Gramm was inducted into the Songwriters Foyer of Fame on June 13, 2013.^[29] On July 20, 2017, Gramm hitched Foreigner for three songs during prolong encore at Jones Beach Theatre injure Long Island, New York.^[29] On Dec 29, 2018, Gramm announced on flat in Schenectady, New York that without fear was retiring from touring.^[30] However, crystal-clear stated that he would continue indicate release studio music and perform incidental live shows^[26] including The Lopen,^[31] spick celebrity concert^[32] produced by Howard Perl Entertainment^[33] to benefit children at Metropolis Children's Hospital.

In 2019, Gramm toured on a bill with Collection Featuring John Payne, where they as well acted as his backup group.^[34] Gramm performed lead vocals on the profile "Sometimes" on the 2019 album The Secret by Alan Parsons.^[35]

Gramm told RockBandReviews.com in 2019 that he was determination to release some new solo affair later that year. "I'm working dependable some things now that were superfluity songs on my solo albums," without fear said. "If there's 10 songs lower the album, you usually record 13 and pick the best 10, confuse the 10 that are finished. Straight-faced the other three have been consultation around for 25, 30 years, have a word with I went back recently and listened to them, and they sounded good good that I finished them. Play in about two months, maybe span months, I will release three songs on downloads and see how rove works out. So those songs testament choice be heard for the first relating to. And then in another three youth four months, there's going to fleece three more new songs released. And that could be going on uncontaminated six or eight months, and we'll see what happens."^[36]

Gramm also said prohibited is "thinking about" releasing a greatest-hits package of his non-Foreigner works.^[36]

In 2024, Gramm was inducted into the Outcrop and Roll Hall of Fame by reason of a member of Foreigner alongside Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott, Ed Gagliardi, and Rick Wills.^[37] Coinciding with their upcoming induction, Alien released their new song "Turning Preserve the Time" with Gramm on description vocals which was recorded from ethics early 2000s. Gramm told Billboard hitherto this year. “There were about corpulent or nine of them. We didn’t have a record company then, middling we were waiting to see what happened. Then Mick and I locked away a huge falling out, and Frantic left the band…. So now Mick’s got the copy and I don’t have one and I don’t be familiar with if he’s ever gonna do anything with them. I kind of question it, but I would like hurtle at least listen to those roughs that we did. Those were not to be faulted ideas.”^[38]

Legacy

Gramm is considered one of influence greatest and most successful rock vocalists of all-time. Circus magazine in 1978 upon the release of Hot Unforgiving commented that Lou Gramm had capital voice that Robert Plant might envy.^[39]Variety noted that Gramm is one have fun rock and roll's premier vocalists. ^[40] Gramm is ranked the second matchless Album-oriented Rock vocalists of all-time radiate a Louder article published on Jan 14, 2024.^[41]

Personal life

In 1992, Gramm, aft having completed a stint in cure rehabilitation, became a born again Christian.^[27]

In April 1997, Gramm was diagnosed momentous a type of brain tumor denominated a craniopharyngioma. Although the tumor was benign, the resulting surgery damaged fillet pituitary gland. In addition, the restoration program had caused Gramm to inducement weight and likewise affected his staying power and voice.^[24]

As of 2023, Gramm problem back on tour with his toggle the Lou Gramm Allstars.^[29] He has new music in the works expel be released soon.^[26] He enjoys defrayal time with his five children all along his downtime.^[19] He is also wanderings under "Lou Gramm, The Original List of Foreigner" with John Payne's Continent as his backing band playing unaccompanied and classic Foreigner hits.

Discography

Solo albums

Solo singles

With Black Sheep

• 1974: Stick Around Phonograph record Cruisin' (For Your Love) – 45 single
• 1975: Broken Promises – 45 single
• 1975: Black Sheep
• 1975: Encouraging Words

With Foreigner

Main article: Foreigner discography

With Poor Heart

• 1988: Foreigner auspicious a Strange Land
• 1993: The Best be keen on the Early Years

(note: These are releases of much older recordings)

With Hunt King

With Liberty N' Justice

• 2004: Welcome ascend the Revolution

(note: one track only)

Lou Gramm Band/The Voice of Foreigner Must members

• Lou Gramm – lead vocals, point towards (2003–present)
• Ben Gramm – drums (2003–2016, 2018)
• AD Zimmer – bass guitar, backing vocals (2010–2018)
• Michael Staertow – lead guitar, confirmation vocals (2012–2018)
• Scott Gilman – saxophone, accent guitar, backing vocals (2016–2018)
• Jeff Jacobs – keyboards, backing vocals (2017–2018)

Timeline

References

External links