Foreigner continues to build on its legacy and will add another chapter to its story Oct. 2 at Riverwind Casino in Norman.
When bassist Jeff Pilson joined the band in 2004, he said it was fun to learn the songs and try to stay true to the band’s sound. He recalled that the chemistry was great, and the transition into the group was smooth. Pilson was a fan of Foreigner long before he joined and enjoyed listening to the songs he would soon perform on tour. More than 20 years later, he is still playing bass with the band.
“I was already a Foreigner fan,” said Pilson. “It was musically exciting and creatively stimulating and has been that way for 22 years.”
One of the members who has recently joined Foreigner is Luis Maldonado. Luis started as a guitarist and backing vocalist for the band before transitioning to lead vocals, taking over the role from Kelly Hansen who had been the frontman for 20 years. “Luis has just taken it to another level,” Pilson said. He acknowledged that Luis had big shoes to fill, but he has made it his own and has helped the band perform at a higher level.
“The band is firing on all cylinders right now, like it never has before,” Pilson said. “We feel like the strongest the live band has ever been.”
That strength has helped Foreigner continue to reach new audiences. The catalog has sold more than 80 million albums, and the song “I Want to Know What Love Is” has surpassed 1 billion streams. The band’s music also continues to reach audiences outside of its performances, appearing in movies and TV shows. “Juke Box Hero” appears in a scene of Happy Gilmore 2, which was seen by millions of viewers.
Pilson said that Foreigner has “lots of stuff in the pipeline.” They recently released the live album In the Eye of the Storm, which documents the band’s performance at Ellis Island for its 50th anniversary. Foreigner will follow that up with a feature film that pairs with it, coming out this fall in theaters.
The Ellis Island performance in 2025 gave this current lineup a sense of identity while also celebrating the history and legacy of the band. The performance included original lead singer Lou Gramm and other surprise guests. The band performed at Registry Hall on a closed set for the documentary. Enduring harsh weather, the band gave a performance they would never forget. Pilson said the band is very excited to share the film and the whole experience with the world.
Five decades of music have made Foreigner a recognizable name in rock. For a group that started in the 1970s, the band is still finding new audiences through the familiarity of its music. Songs such as “Cold as Ice” and “Hot Blooded” have become landmarks in the band’s catalog, reaching listeners who may not have been around when the songs were first introduced to the world.
That current lineup will take the stage Oct. 2 at Riverwind Casino in Norman.
“Oklahomans love their rock music, and we love to give it to them,” said Pilson.
The band will play the classics that audiences have grown to love. The catalog spans generations, and the songs that were first heard in the 1970s and 1980s are still being played today. That connection between generations is part of what keeps the band’s live shows moving forward. The current lineup is not just performing songs from Foreigner’s past but bringing those songs to audiences who continue to find something new in them.
As Foreigner continues to tour, release new projects and introduce its music to new listeners, the band is carrying its history with it rather than simply looking back on it. With decades of music behind them and more projects ahead, Foreigner’s story is still being written. For Pilson, the excitement comes from seeing where the band can go next.