Kelly Hansen

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Kelly Hansen
2016 Lieder am See - Foreigner - Kelly Hansen - by 2eight - 8SC2725.jpg
Hansen performing with Foreigner in 2016
Background information
Birth nameKelly Hansen
Born (1961-04-18) April 18, 1961 (age 61)
Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Genres Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • percussion
Years active1985–present

Kelly Hansen (born April 18, 1961) is an American singer, best known as the lead singer of the rock band Foreigner since 2005. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Hansen started his career as an independent studio singer. He later met guitarist Robert Sarzo and bassist Tony Cavazo (brothers of Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo, respectively, of Quiet Riot fame), with whom he formed the hard-rock band Hurricane in 1984. Hurricane would achieve some moderate commercial success throughout the mid-to-late 1980s and into the 1990s. However, Hurricane's record label went bankrupt in 1991, and the band disbanded shortly thereafter. Hansen continued to make music, recording as a guest and session singer for many projects, including Slash's Snakepit, Fergie Fredriksen, Don Dokken, and Bourgeois Pigs. In 1998 Hansen joined the band Unruly Child, replacing vocalist Mark Free. Unruly Child recorded a new album which was released in early 1999. 2001 saw the return of Hurricane with an altered lineup and new album, Liquifury . In 2003, Hansen joined forces with Fabrizio V.Zee Grossi and recorded a self-titled album under the band name Perfect World.

Hansen joined Foreigner in 2005, after Lou Gramm left in 2003 due to continuing conflicts with Mick Jones. Hansen is the third lead singer of Foreigner, with Lou Gramm and Johnny Edwards being Hansen's predecessors.

Hansen divides his time between two homes in Los Angeles – one in Calabasas and the other in Malibu.

Discography

with Hurricane

with Air Pavilion

with Unruly Child

with Stuart Smith

with Tim Donahue

with Perfect World

with Foreigner

Guest appearances

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References

  1. ↑ "Foreigner to Release Can't Slow Down in March". Blabbermouth. January 28, 2010. Archived from the original on February 12, 2010. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Foreigner Behind the Scenes". Rolling Stone. January 22, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
  3. ↑ Greene, Andy (August 1, 2019). "Foreigner Launching Las Vegas Mini-Residency in 2020". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
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