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Foreigner music biography continued...

worldwide. The band was formed in 1976 by Mick Jones (former guitarist of Nero and the Gladiators, Spooky Tooth, and The Leslie West Band) and Ian McDonald the former sax player for King Crimson. Other original members include Lou Gramm (vocals), Dennis Elliot (drummer), Al Greenwood (keyboard), and Ed Gagliardi (bass).

The group signed a contract with Atlantic Records and released their self-titled debut in 1977. The album was a success selling more than four million copies in the US alone. With hit singles "Cold As Ice", "Feels Like The First Time", and "Long Long Way From Home" the album remained in the Top Twenty for over a year. The follow-up album Double Vision in 1978 achieved even greater sales than the first and dominated the Top Ten for six months with its hit title track as well as the ever popular "Hot Blooded". Head Games was the name of their third album which proved to be successful, however certain members felt as though the band was not evolving. This brought about certain line-up changes dismissing Greenwood and Gagliardi to form a quartet in 1980.

The band benefited from the modifications by celebrating the massive success of their fourth album 4. The record included "Jukebox Hero", "Waiting for a Girl Like You", and "Urgent". Agent Provocateur followed in 1984, however only received praise for its number one gospel inspired hit "I Want To Know What Love Is". The song was the biggest sensation on radio and MTV that year. After returning from their grand tour, Gramm and Jones focused on solo projects. Jones co-produced Van Halen's debut album 5150 along with Sammy Hagar and Gramm worked on his own solo album entitled Ready Or Not.

The band regrouped in 1987 for the release of Inside Information, however along with the success of Gramm's solo debut, he decided to leave in 1989. In 1990 he was replaced by John Edwards allowing the restored Foreigner to work on the album Unusual Heat which was released in 1991 unfortunately turning out to be their worst selling album. Gramm returned in 1992 to produce The Very Best and Beyond, the band's second greatest hits album. In 1995, they issued Mr. Moonlight which failed to receive much attention due to the influx of the grunge rock phase, however the group continuously toured the US until 2002. Gramm left Foreigner for a second time in 2003 to form his own, The Lou Gramm Band. Foreigner still presently exists however Mick Jones is the only original member remaining.