And when it actually happened, original singerLou Grammwas ecstatic.
I racked my brain trying to figure out why we werent even nominated.
I just couldnt come up with an answer…[But] justice as been done.
Lou Gramm of Foreigner performs at the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction: He’s not happy with how it went.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Thats a great song, but its not what were about, he said.
Its not something thats suitable for being inducted into theRock and RollHall of Fame.
I have nothing against them.
But I think the spotlight belongs on the original band that night.
He holds nothing back.
Kellys an awesome lady and sings like a bird.
And it was a lot of fun to do that with her.
But its the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
What am I doing there singing a ballad?
And we had the rug pulled out from under our feet.
And it was just not what I expected for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
When other bands get inducted with living members, they perform.
Thats what happened with Kool and the Gang earlier in the night.
Back in the day, Cream, the Police, Led Zeppelin, Talking Heads…
I dont think so.
That was not satisfactory.
So we did it their way and did not like it at all.
How did you find this out?I think it was Rick Wills.
He mentioned that we werent playing live, and the current Foreigner was going to play instead.
I went, You got to be be kidding me.
To be clear, no members of the current lineup were actually inducted?Nope.
Theyre a good band and theyre getting accolades, but theyre not at that point yet.
And having them back us up was uncalled for.
Whoever is responsible, Im not happy.
I sang some very intense and rocking songs for Foreigner.
There were huge hits.
And they reduced me to I Want to Know What Love Is.
That songs been haunting me most of my career.
Did you think about not showing up?It crossed my mind.
But Im a bigger man that that.
But Dennis Elliott didnt make it to the whole thing because of that reason.
She couldnt walk the red carpet with him.
Nobodys wife or girlfriend was allowed in the dressing room for the whole night.
Rick plays bass on the original recording of I Want to Know What Love Is.
Some would argue he should have been allowed to play his parts.Al and Rick were pretty upset.
They were both ready to play.
Lou recorded his vocals for all our albums over forty years ago.
They were difficult songs to sing then, and Lou set a very high bar.
Kelly Hansen sang a bit of Hot Blooded with Hagar.
How did you feel about that?Totally uncalled for.
Hes taking credit for something he had nothing to do with.
Its just a strange set of circumstances.
There should have been everybody there that could have been there.
It wouldve been a not very nice experience for him or for us.
But we understood his situation.
I had no understanding or acceptance of what Dennis did.
How did you feel the next morning?
Did any part of you wish youd done what Dennis did and not showed up?No.
We were all asking him.
We need to show some solidarity and some oomph.
And I said, Its very sad you didnt see to show up, Dennis.
And then I passed the phone to somebody else.
I didnt have anything else to say.
You told me in April you were retiring from the road by the end of this year.
Are you going to do a farewell show?I think so, yeah.
Ive also got a new album coming out in February or March.
Its all new songs, really good ones.
I think its catchy and will be a home run.
How do you view that?Its very disrespectful, and not right to do that.
The whole thing is just a mess.
I cant wait until its over, honestly.
Do you think thatll happen anytime soon?
But I do want you to know that Mick and I are on very good terms.
