Lou Gramm of Foreigner

Lou Gramm of Foreigner

From Lipps Service with Scott Lipps by Audio Up, Inc.

April 22, 2026 · 1h 11m

About this episode

Lou Gramm discusses his career, the formation of Foreigner, and his experiences in the music industry.

Legendary vocalist Lou Gramm joins SPIN Magazine’s Lipps Service with Scott Lipps for a deep, career-spanning conversation—from early struggles to global superstardom with Foreigner. Lou opens up about his beginnings, the formation of Foreigner with Mick Jones, getting rejected by record labels, and ultimately creating some of the biggest rock anthems of all time. He shares stories about opening for KISS, encounters with Aretha Franklin, and working with legendary producer Mutt Lange. We also dive into classics like “I Want to Know What Love Is,” the evolution of Foreigner’s sound, Lou’s current relationship with Mick Jones, and his thoughts on modern versions of legacy bands touring today. Plus—Lou reflects on his new album Released, retirement, and the legacy he’s most proud of. If you’re a fan of classic rock, songwriting, and real music industry stories, this is one you don’t want to miss. 00:00:55 – Where It All Started 00:09:40 – How Singing Began 00:11:45 – The Black Sheep Era 00:14:25 – Influence of Steve Marriott 00:17:50 – Early Capitol Records Deal 00:19:00 – Opening for KISS 00:28:30 – Getting Dropped by the Label 00:30:03 – The Call from Mick Jones / Joining…

People in this episode

Host: Scott Lipps

Guest: Lou Gramm

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Foreigner, Capitol Records, KISS

Books & works: I Want to Know What Love Is, Released, Juke Box Hero

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