Foreigner Members, Gear & Sound

British/American rock band

Genre

Rock Pop rock Soft rock Hard rock Classic rock Acoustic rock Arena rock Aor album rock mellow gold

Members

Select a Foreigner band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Joel Hoekstra

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Whitesnake Night Ranger Trans-Siberian Orchestra VHF

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Bruce Watson

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Big Country

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Jeff Pilson

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Dio Dokken Wild Horses Revolution Saints The End Machine Power Project Steel Dragon McAuley Schenker Group T&N Lynch Pilson War & Peace The Lake Balboa Fire Choir Black Swan Underground Moon Tooth and Nail

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Jason Bonham

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Led Zeppelin UFO The Jason Bonham Band Bonham Airrace Black Country Communion Damnocracy Motherland Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience Virginia Wolf Drum Madness Healing Sixes Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening California Breed Sammy Hagar & The Circle Steel Dragon

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Mick Leslie Jones

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist

Groups:

Spooky Tooth Leslie West Band 007 State of Mickey and Tommy The Blackburds Nimrod The J & B

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Brian Tichy

Roles:

Guitarist Drummer

Groups:

Ozzy Osbourne Whitesnake Billy Idol Pride and Glory Lynch Mob Gene Simmons Band The Dead Daisies Sweet & Lynch George Lynch & The Mob Randy Jackson's China Rain Operation: Mindcrime Silverthorne S.U.N. T&N Tak Matsumoto Group Slash's Snakepit

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Ian McDonald

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

King Crimson Giles, Giles & Fripp McDonald and Giles 21st Century Schizoid Band Centipede

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Luis Maldonado

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Train Bigelf

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Al Greenwood

Roles:

Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

SPYS

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Michael Bluestein

Roles:

Keyboardist

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Rick Seratte

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist

Groups:

Whitesnake Three Dog Night Poco Human Drama Lion Bad Moon Rising

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Ed Gagliardi

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Groups:

SPYS

Needs more gear

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Lou Gramm

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Shadow King The Lou Gramm Band Man Doki Soulmates Liberty n’ Justice

Needs more gear

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Dennis Elliott

Roles:

Singer Drummer

Groups:

If The Ferris Wheel

Needs more gear

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Mark Schulman

Roles:

Guitarist Drummer

Groups:

Simple Minds

Needs more gear

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John Purdell

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist Music Producer

Groups:

Ozzy Osbourne Quiet Riot

Needs more gear

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Jason Sutter

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Marilyn Manson Smash Mouth New York Dolls

No gear added

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Chris Frazier

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Whitesnake Tribe After Tribe Tak Matsumoto Group

No gear added

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Mark Rivera

Roles:

Drummer Saxophonist

Groups:

Billy Joel Band Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band

No gear added

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Jeff Jacobs

Roles:

Singer Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Billy Joel Band

No gear added

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Kelly Hansen

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Rosetta Stone Unruly Child Hurricane Perfect World

No gear added

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Bruce Turgon

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist Keyboardist

Groups:

Shadow King Warrior The Lou Gramm Band

No gear added

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Johnny Edwards

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Montrose Wild Horses King Kobra Buster Brown

No gear added

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Rick Wills

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Bad Company The Small Faces Spooky Tooth The Jones Gang Frampton’s Camel Jokers Wild

No gear added

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Thom Gimbel

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Aerosmith

No gear added

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About

Foreigner is a renowned English-American rock band that emerged from the vibrant music scene of New York City in 1976. The group was initially formed by the seasoned musician Mick Jones (guitar) and former King Crimson member Ian McDonald (multi-instrumentalist), alongside American vocalist Lou Gramm. Over the years, Foreigner has seen various lineup changes, with the current ensemble featuring Kelly Hansen (vocals), Tom Gimbel (multi-instrumentalist), Jeff Pilson (bass), Michael Bluestein (keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitar), and Chris Frazier (drums). Their music straddles a wide range of rock genres, from classic rock and hard rock to softer pop rock and arena rock. Known for massive hits like "I Want to Know What Love Is" and "Hot Blooded," Foreigner has sold over 80 million records worldwide, marking them as one of the best-selling bands of all time.

How to Sound Like Foreigner

Foreigner's sound is characterized by a dynamic blend of melodic rock and powerful instrumentation, creating both anthemic and emotive experiences. Their music often features clean, soaring guitar riffs and anthemic choruses, underpinned by robust and driving rhythms. For guitarists aiming to emulate their sound, instruments like the Gibson Les Paul Custom, used by Joel Hoekstra, offer the rich, full-bodied tones essential for capturing those iconic riffs. Amplification through models such as the Suhr Custom Audio Amplifiers PT100 delivers the clarity and punch needed for their hard-hitting tracks. Drummers can look to the Ludwig Vistalite kits for that vibrant, resonant sound that complements the band's energetic performances. Foreigner's music thrives on a balance of melodic finesse and rhythmic intensity, making each song a powerful rock statement.

Discography

Foreigner (Expanded)

1977

Head Games

1979

4 (Expanded)

1981

4 (2025 Remix)

1981

Agent Provocateur

1984

Inside Information

1987

Unusual Heat

1991

Mr. Moonlight

1994

Alive And Rockin'

2007

Can't Slow Down

2009

Live In London 2010

2010

The Hits Unplugged

2011

Feels Like The First Time

2011

With the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

2018

Live at the Rainbow ‘78

2019

Double Vision: Then and Now

2019

Renegades & Juke Box Heroes (Live)

2024

All Engines on - Live in London

2025

Get the Foreigner Sound

Want to sound like Foreigner? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.