Foreigner’s Bassist Shares Band Is Not Going Anywhere and New Live Album Update

In a recent interview with The Double Stop With Brian Sword podcast, Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson addressed the band’s upcoming farewell tour, set to wrap in 2025. While the news might spark concern for fans, Pilson’s comments offer a reassuring twist.

He expressed his eagerness for a break from the road after extensive touring, but also hinted at “other things coming from Foreigner.” This cryptic tease suggests the band’s farewell might not be a complete goodbye, leaving fans with a glimmer of hope for the future.

To further satiate your Foreigner fix, Pilson revealed he’s currently working on a new live album. This exciting project promises to capture the band’s energy and deliver a fresh dose of their classic hits.

Mixed Emotions on Foreigner’s Farewell Tour

Pilson acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the band’s farewell tour. While expressing relief at the prospect of less travel, he also highlights the strong bond he’s developed with his bandmates.

“We’re firing on all cylinders right now,” Pilson admits, “so I’m definitely going to miss the guys. We’ve all gotten real close, and the band is just working phenomenally well right now. So I’m gonna miss seeing them as much as I do — I will, honestly.” 

However, the allure of home life is undeniable. “But not having to travel and being at home is a welcome thing,” he says. “I’d love to do more recording ’cause I’m very passionate about that. And we’re all ready to not be on the road as much. I mean, I’ve been doing this for 20 years — a hundred shows-plus every year, except pandemic. And that’s a lot.”

“I didn’t necessarily think I was gonna be doing this at this age. So I guess mixed feelings is the answer,” Pilson added. “But all kind of good mixed feelings, because even in missing the guys, it’s going to be a fond memory. And it’s nice to have fond memories.”

Foreigner’s Farewell Isn’t Quite a Goodbye

However, the Foreigner bassist assured fans that the band’s farewell tour doesn’t signal their complete disappearance. “We’re not disappearing off the face of the earth just yet,” he clarified. “We’ll be doing some shows in 2025. It’s just this is the end of the nine-months-of-the-year- on-the-road kind of thing. And that’s a welcome change, I think on, on everybody’s part, to a certain degree.”

Beyond touring, Pilson hinted at continued activity. “We even have some music that we haven’t finished, and I’d love to finish that, too,” he revealed. “There’s other things coming from Foreigner.”

Plus, there’s the new live album to look forward to. “We just recorded it last week,” Pilson enthused. “It’s just gonna be an amazing live record. I’ve been listening to the tracks, and it’s amazing.”

Foreigner Farewell Tour Rolls On

And Foreigner’s farewell tour isn’t over yet! After a joint show with Styx and John Waite in Memphis on September 20th, the band will pick things back up on September 23rd at the Charleston Civic Center in West Virginia. This leg of the tour features special guests Loverboy and Lita Ford.

The news comes amidst ongoing health concerns for Foreigner founder Mick Jones. In February, it was revealed that his absences from the tour were due to a battle with Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, the 79-year-old musician remains “very much involved in the background” and continues to be “a presence” in the band.

On a brighter note, Foreigner received a recent nomination for the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The inductees will be announced later this month, with the ceremony taking place in Cleveland this fall and streamed live on Disney+.

Foreigner Hits the Road with Styx

The band is also teaming up with Styx for a co-headlining tour this summer, dubbed Renegades & Juke Box Heroes. Kicking off on June 11th, 2024, in Michigan, the tour promises a summer filled with iconic rock anthems.

This tour holds special significance for Foreigner. Following the departure of original vocalist Lou Gramm in 2003, the band went on a hiatus before regrouping with a new lineup. This current iteration, featuring Kelly Hansen on vocals and Jeff Pilson on bass, has kept the Foreigner spirit alive, delivering electrifying performances of the band’s greatest hits.

Fans can expect a setlist packed with classics like “Feels Like The First Time” and “Cold As Ice” alongside later staples like “Hot Blooded” and “I Want To Know What Love Is.”