Some song about the Temperature

Welcome to Wednesdays Classic Rock flashback, today we're gonna take a look at one of the most influential and astounding bands ever to grace young rockers' ears. As sad as it is, even today's greatest rockers have never heard of the greats, the ones that influenced the influences of their influences.

For my 2nd blog, I'll be doing a long drawn out worshiping of the 70's-80's rock band, Foreigner.

        I love classic rock bands like you have no idea.
They embody everything I think should be Rock n' Roll.
The Rock n' Roll of today is tainted with metal - esque drug addicts and money hungry superstars who've forgot what they're really after in life, who have forgot what they started their bands for, forgot who they aspired to become and ended up in a life of total hell or total greed.


Its a terrible shame.

    However, I can pop in Foreigner's "4" and get lost in the simpler more powerful days of Rock n Roll. The times of pure unadulterated nostalgia and clear heads with pure goals of love and a life of music.

So maybe that's not 100% percent correct, but sometimes I want to think life was better at one point in time.

So lets get to talking to about Foreigner!

Foreigner formed around 1976 in New York, by front-man Mick Jones in another chill attempt at a band after his previous two broke up. The band eventually blossomed into a 6 piece ensemble before releasing their self - titled debut.

This record didn't cause the band to hit the rock scene ground running, but it grabbed attention in plenty of the right places.

 This debut features hits such as "Cold as Ice", and of course an all-time favorite "Feels Like The First Time".

Both singles off their self - titled earned a number 4 and number 6 on the charts, and another single off the record, "Long, Long Way From Home" peaked at 20, definitely a healthy start for New York's newest stadium rock future-phenomena.

Shortly after the success of their debut, Foreigner wasted no time in putting together their next project, and that project was "Double Vision".

Double Vision put the band on the map with their 3rd and 4th hits, "Hot Blooded"(peaking at number 2) and "Double Vision"(peaking at number 3).

Around this time a creative struggle was emerging with Mick Jones, co-founder Ian Mcdonald, and keyboardist Al Greenwood, causing them to be sacked shortly before the release of their next album.

Mick Jones faced heavy criticism and well - deserved ridicule for these harsh actions taken against his own co-founder and keyboardist.

Moreover, Mick Jones, with his 2nd quadruple platinum  record under his belt, dove headfirst into his 3rd project, hoping for his success to rain down every so easily once again.

 "Head Games" was released by the newly established quartet and didn't seem to quite find the success its two predecessors bathed in.

 "Head Games" was considered by their own Gramm as their graniest album, and that it was.

 It showcased dirty screamers like "Dirty Little White Boy", amplifying the band's dark side for Rock n' Roll.


 Mick Jones wasn't pleased by this album at all, and hit the studio again two years later in hopes for another "Double Vision".






 Foreigner's seemingly effortless crusade led them to more unimaginable success.

The band hit their absolute peak with what is considered one of the greatest stadium rock albums ever released. This cornerstone masterpiece featured Foreigners greatest hits.

"Urgent" features a screeching saxophone solo by Junior Walker, and peaked at number 1 on over 3 different mainstream pop and rock music boards. It also introduced a synthesizer sound, courtesy of session synth Thomas Dolby.

"Waiting for a Girl Like You" showcased killer synth work by Thomas, and the bands somewhat romantic take with this killer new album.

Finally, the household favorite "Juke Box Hero" ran this album home as the signature rock anthem for every aspiring rockstar for generations to come. Foreigner had made their mark in history with this final fourth masterpiece, and was sure to never be forgotten.

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The band should be thankful for their monumental fourth album, because it kept them alive through their lifeless next few years, which was of course a choice by them. Mick Jones enjoyed experimenting with new song-writing techniques, headlinig enormous concerts and events, and traveling the world experiencing what his success had brought him. Foreigner was widely respected by all, always in style, years after "4".

This New York Arena rock act, formed in 1976, released their ninth album in 2009, with a mind-blowing new lineup, and a new lead- vocalist, Kelly Hensen.

"Cant Slow Down'" was proof old rockers could still show off their hard rock machismo and run with the best of them.


Props to these guys for influencing almost every Stadium Rock band of their time and future acts as well.


I strongly recommend you give this band an enthusiastic listen, they have an incredibly unique sound with mind blowing storytelling lyrics.



Check out Urgent here.
 And check out Juke Box Hero here.


 Tomorrow I plan to speculate on where I think one of my favorite bands will be heading.
That's all today though, see you guys tomorrow!


                                                                                                                                                       -- Jeff