Ian Anderson’s opinion on Foreigner and Lou Gramm

Ian Anderson started his musical career in the early 60s and helped to form in 1967 the band Jethro Tull, which would become one of the most influential Progressive Rock bands of all time. With albums like “Aqualung” (1971) and “Thick as a Brick” (1972), they were part of the evolution of the music genre and countless bands all over the world have mentioned them as an inspiration.

Unlike many of his peers, Anderson was always interested in new music and he had the chance to see how Rock and Roll evolved throughout the decades. During his career he talked about many bands and artists, including Foreigner and their vocalist Lou Gramm.

What is Ian Anderson’s opinion on Foreigner and Lou Gramm

Ian Anderson is a huge fan of Foreigner and he even said once that in his opinion, Lou Gramm is the greatest Rock singer of all time. He said that in an interview with Artfuse in 2019, saying that Gramm damaged his vocalist because he really used to take his voice to another level. “I damaged my vocal cords in 1984. Just basically from overuse. Same thing happened to Lou Gramm, who I think is the best rock singer ever. Mick Jagger doesn’t really sing, he just tosses it out. He always sang well within his range. But he doesn’t put stress on his voice”.

He said the same thing in an interview with Classic Rock in 2023, choosing Gramm as his favorite singer. “Head and shoulders above all rock singers for me is Lou Gramm. Incredible precision and diction. You can hear every word he sings, unlike the majority of singers before and since. He had decorative elements in his delivery that weren’t overdone. Mainly he sang on the beat, in tune and with great emotion,” Ian Anderson said.

Lou Gramm was part of Foreigner from 1976 to 1990, 1992 to 2003 and was a special guest in 2017 and 2018. He also was part of the band’s recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Gramm was the group’s vocalist on all the classic albums they recorded in the 70s and 80s. The only album from Foreigner released with another singer is “Can’t Slow Down” in 2009. It had their current frontman Kelly Hansen, in the group since 2005.

Ian Anderson said “Head Games” is one of his favorite albums of all time

Ian Anderson not only had the chance to meet Lou Gramm face to face but also to perform with him during a German TV show. He said that in an interview with The Quietus in 2013 and revealed that “Head Games” is one of his favorite albums of all time. Foreigner released that album in 1979 and it has famous tracks like “Dirty White Boy”, “Women” and “Head Games”.

“Foreigner was a band that had an anthemic sophistication about their musical approach. It was educated, well-formed, well turned-out British-American music. The primary songwriter and leader of the band (Mick Jones) was a Brit. The vocal talents of probably rock’s finest ever tenor, Lou Gramm, fitted perfectly with their sound.”

“I still have a soft spot for Lou because of his incredible vocal ability and the wonderful controlled quality of his voice. I do believe he is rock’s finest tenor. His diction was good, his articulation and rhythm was great, he was a truly great singer. It doesn’t mean he’s rock’s best singer or best-known singer.”

He continued:

“Because the usually out of tune Rod Stewart and gymnastic Robert Plant were probably more charismatic. Lou was more mainstream, but it was nevertheless a joy to listen to someone, rather like Alfie Boe, who is in complete control of their vocal ability as the result of hard work and a huge amount of natural talent. He may not be the most exciting pop singer, but for me he is the best,” Ian Anderson said.

Besides “Head Games”, Anderson already mentioned Foreigner’s greatest hits album “No End In Sight” (2008) as one of the records he can’t live without.

Led by guitarist Mick Jones the English-American band is one of the best selling groups of all time. They have sold an estimated amount of more than 80 million records worldwide.