Foreigner LIVE! Vocal Analysis of Lou Gramm singing "Cold As Ice"

Foreigner had so many hit songs, and Lou Gramm's vocals really brought the music to life... including this song, Cold As Ice. Today we're watching the band perform live at The Rainbow in 1978.
Watch the original video uninterrupted: • Foreigner - Cold As Ic...
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#coldasice #reaction #vocalcoach

[@chuckstacy6500]

Don't think anyone could touch Lou in his day. So underrated.

[@TheChristOfRockNRoll]

Steve Perry in his prime is more ballsy than Lou Gramm in his prime.......Gramm is a tiger, Perry the King of the Jungle.....the Lion!

[@TheChristOfRockNRoll]

@@counselthyself2591 Do you want me to give him "just cause" too?

[@crashandburngaming5103]

80's....What a great timeto grow up in. I was 16 when this came out.. I still havent grown up lol.

[@crashandburngaming5103]

​@@counselthyself2591 Rik Emmett. Killer artist. Legend up here in Canuk land

[@rebeckahstephens1433]

Oh Steve Perry could

[@matinmirnaghibi5846]

Lou Graham had one of greatest voices ever

[@verdman54]

He's friends with my uncle and his son used to work at my uncles sushi bar. He actually went to my uncle's father's funeral. Very very nice down to earth guy.

[@VisionProStudios]

No auto tune..just pure raw unedited on cue and in tune voice with NO sharp or flat..just spot on all the way

[@TheSports50]

Lou is unbelievable . So much power and energy and enthusiasm. He always could connect to the audience. Moved around on stage with that microphone stand . Moved with his hands and body so well. There is no one like Lou. Lou is Foreigner. He also is a Hall of Fame songwriter . Both Mik and Lou made Foreigner but needed each other to make it work. When I first saw Lou in 1981 at the Richmond Colisium , I was amazed at his voice. It was what Mik said that’s it. That ‘s the voice.

[@timhmetal3499]

He's in the same class with Paul Rodgers from Bad Company. Both did a R&B version of rock that we may never see again. You felt every song in your soul. BTW....some singers also chew gum to relieve jaw stress and tension, but most do it to keep their vocal chords lubricated.

[@josephinehenry8236]

Oh god Paul Rogers is an absolute legend

[@HotasL]

Great analysis! Lou Gramm has always been one of my favorite singers. Such a unique voice.

[@nomadicrecovery1586]

Singers in this era were incredible. I was lucky to grow up with this. We had foreigner with Lou Graham, and if you haven’t checked his out, you need to Steve Perry from journey probably the best of all time, but also Mickey from starship was amazing, the original singer from Toto was amazing, and blue Graham here sounds like somebody you may not have really heard of, but probably one of the best male vocalist of all time in his day, Steve Walsh, from Kansas and you need to listen to Kansas back in the 70s very early 80s before he ruined his voice with drugs but when he was young, he was just like this but better. I would love to hear you do some research on Steve Walsh of Kansas, and of course my favorite Steve Perry’s always on the top list.

[@paulapuckett-potoczak7735]

I agree! Great music 🎶

[@garymaidman625]

Lou Gramm*. He's an Italian-America, not an Irish-American. Also, the singer from Toto you are searching for, who is only one of the singers, is Bobby Kimball. The singer from Starship, who was also the singer on the Elvin Bishop song Fooled Around and Fell in Love is Mickey Thomas.

[@theelf152]

One of the greatest of all time.

[@mikeralston777]

One of the best singers in the history of rock music. Love your channel.

[@OTCRock4one]

I love Lou Gramm's vocals before the brain tumor. Lou was diagnosed with a type of brain tumor called a craniopharyngioma. Although the tumor was benign, the resulting surgery damaged his pituitary gland.

[@crashandburngaming5103]

Ya. He did get some of his voice back...but was never the same.

[@glpf5]

Lou Gramm also did some great solo stuff like "Midnight Blue". Thanks for the great reaction/analysis.

[@thesixthgirl6199]

Love that song!

[@tod3msn]

I saw Lou with Foreigner on their first US tour in 1977. They played a mid sized basketball arena with Jay Ferguson of "Thunder Island" fame opening. Mick Jones who plays lead guitar put the band together and he picked class A musicians like Ian McDonald who was a brilliant multi instrumentalist playing sax, flute, keyboards, guitar all well and flawlessly. That night I was stunned by how great Lou Gramm had been as well as Ian McDonald. I've been too many concerts over the years and none equals the vocal and musical level of the original Foreigner. Listen to the first Foreigner LP out in 1977. There is drawing on the band on the cover. This is a rick masterpiece. Atlantic reissued this album recently under their Atlantic 75 series and mastered it at 45 rpm's making it a double album and ultimate listening experience for vinyl music lovers.

[@HalfassDIY]

Great song !

[@leemiracle6840]

If i could sing like anyone, it would be Lou.

[@leannedove]

Incredible performer. His phrasing and range- wow.

[@DropAnchor1978]

Lou Grahm, Steve Perry and Steve Walsh are to my ears, the best of the rock high tenor voices. Of course, other greats like Mickey Thomas, Jimi Jamison, and one of a kinds like Dio and Freddie Mercury come to mind.

[@seantetpon]

Another great analysis! And another gorgeous smile.

[@vicrider2124]

Spot on! I was a teen when this band hit the radio and have tons of memories around their songs

[@ilc-nl3yy]

Lou is the man!!

[@kirstenhaldrup5219]

Frick I loved Foreigner as a teenager in the early80s 16 in 80 and 20 in 84.

[@stephaniel8164]

I think Lou was just such a badass he chewed gum while performing a concert. Absolute legend.

[@melissaslater2575]

Foreigner was my first concert in high school in the 70’s and still the one I have the best singular moment recollection of with Lou Graham singing Cold as Ice in the middle of a green laser with his arms raised above his head. He was amazing.

[@alewis5081]

Such a trip to see young people dig the music we grew up on...love it

[@joevanseeters2873]

This very well may be Foreigner's best live performance ever caught on video or recorded, and in my opinion this is when Foreigner was in their absolute PRIME! From 78 to around 86, Foreigner dominated American FM radio, the television during MTV's early years, and in stadiums around the world! Even the instrument performances are unbelievable in this live session. Also, their harmonies are much more in sync than they are in later and even today's performances. This line up of the musicians that were in Foreigner at this time period (1978) was the perfect ensemble and they all just performed and played together very well. And all of this was done well before "Autotune" and all the fancy digital vocal replicators that can make your voice sound a lot better than it actually is. Back in 1978 when they did this live performance, you actually had to be able to sing and play instruments! REO Speedwagon, The Cars, Journey, Styx, Supertramp, Asia, Loverboy, and the other major stadium filling bands of that era were all very very good at making harmony, or members sang good back-up to the lead singer if there was a distinctive lead in the band and they actually had to be able to play instruments together and sound as good as you did on your records, all without any of these fancy dancy digital stuff of today. That's why most of these bands are actually still in existence, although they will continue to dwindle and eventually cease to exist in the coming decades due to their sheer age. Thank goodness we have recordings and video recordings we can watch or listen to far into the future.

[@ariesred777]

Only a few can excel with gum in their mouth ☺"Hot Blooded" from the same concert is even better

[@mustangjane63]

Lou is so fantastic!!!!

[@iceelf-gs1492]

Aah, Foreigner, "Cold As Ice", classic group, classic song, love it. Thanks! Sing and chew gum? As the saying goes, I can't even walk... Another additional comment, please? Many of your subscribers have expressed this sentiment, but I just wanted to put in my two cents worth. Your facial expressions and mannerisms as you listen to and watch the vocal performances are captivating, priceless, so endearing - a reflection of your personality, I believe. In that sense, “You say it best when you say nothing at all” - love that song. It seems as if we are watching two talented performers - the subject of the video and Bethany. A twitch of the mouth, a crinkle of your nose, a lift of the brow, a tilt of your head, and that lovely smile. They speak a thousand languages!

[@gliebzeit]

Ice elf, I agree with all of your observations concerning Bethany. She ROCKS!!!

[@karenanash]

Thank you for reviewing Lou Graham/Foreigner, loved their songs and Lou’s vocals!! You are a pro!-Karen

[@garymaidman625]

Gramm, not Graham.

[@rotadyma]

Some of my favorite singers of all time are the following: Lou Gramm Tommy Shaw Rik Emmett Pat Benatar Dave Meniketti Bryan Adams Daryl Hall Ann Wilson Huey Lewis Steve Perry Sting Stevie Ray Vaughan Brad Delp

[@srellison561]

The late 60's to the early 80's had some of the best male lead singers in rock.

[@Fatty.D.McButterpants]

My first "big" concert was Foreigner (Foreigner 4 tour) and though I've seen countless concerts since, they still rank in the the top five of all time for me.

[@candydandy2694]

this song and performance are fkn epic!

[@margaretbugeja3872]

One of my favorite male singers

[@BrianReed66]

Lou Gramatico is from Rochester,NY and I knew him growing up. He was in a group called Black Sheep and they were greatt.

[@rynooosth]

I dont whats yr name but spot on Lou has awesome voice what a a band wow...love yr smile and the channel

[@robertstoner8244]

Another amazing rock band ❤ many many greatest rock bands . So many great sounds

[@micdrop-jh3pf]

I've always loved Foreigner's music, but didn't appreciate Lou Gramm until a couple of months ago. He's amazing. Thank you for a well-timed analysis.

[@dianaskrutskie7314]

John Lennon used to chew gum on stage. Some say it was to counter dry mouth and others to help with anxiety. I remember being surprised! Great analysis! Lou Gramm is fantastic.

[@GunsmithSid]

I saw Lou Gramm in concert - he must have been performing with someone that I meant to see because I didn’t recognize the name. He did some Foreigner songs and I figured it out and he was so great that I bought the shirt so I wouldn’t forget him. I guess that was 1990? I’m a fan.

[@kathyrhode6252]

Have more Lou Gramm!!! I love Midnight Blue

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Written by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones. Debut album. They had a falling out. MJ did not give him songwriting credit for I Want to Know What Love Is. Suggested videos: 1 Foreigner performs Waiting for a Girl Like You 2 Lou Gramm sings Just Between You and Me.

[@546Scott]

Always a great end to the week with a great reaction from this women on a great band

[@user-if4tt1xr8y]

I love you analysis!!! Thank you!!!

[@rynooosth]

O this band is super great

[@ronaldlambert85]

My first concert! Foreigner with Eddie Money at the Boston Garden, Feb 3, 1978!

[@timhall5229]

Saw them several times at the University of Kentucky in the 70s.

[@sbalak]

Thanks for the great review and your wonderful presence.

[@gibbopg]

One of the very best male rock vocalists. Once Lou left the band, I left the band as well.

[@Roh_Echt]

I saw them live, about one and one half months before this, in March of 1978; at Cal Jam 2. It was my first concert at age 15yrs9mos.

[@nicholasives8816]

Got to see them when they released I Wanna Know What Love Is, soooo awesome😎

[@devonseamoor]

Thank you, Bethany 👍A beautiful reaction/teaching. The humour in this performance is that the singer is on fire, body and voice, while he performs "You're cold as ice" With that contrast this performance is so captivating, also by the harmony in the whole band playing.

[@dadduorp]

I’ve always loved Lou Gramm’s vocal prowess. He does these subtle inflections that many of the great 60’s soul/gospel singers from Motown used to do. For example, listen to that trill he does at the end of “…all the time” @8:29.

[@TexRobNC]

That setup, and the fade to black, the tension, some amazing stuff, I also had no idea they were such epic performers.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

Fun reaction. I bet you would really have a ball doing the incredible ballad Star Rider from their first album. The album before this one.

[@gliebzeit]

Thank you for this reaction video, Bethany. Outstanding analysis as usual. I will always watch/listen to your videos right away. "I KNOW we're at the end." ... Gets me every time! 😊

[@mikesmith1788]

You need to check them out at Farmaid in 1985. They absolutely blew the crowd away. I miss Lou Gramm.

[@stevenhoward3358]

Lou is right up there with the best of 'em. Top quality live performance that few could match or even hope getting close to.

[@steveputland4324]

This fellas voice always reminds me of Johnny Farnham !

[@SpaceDino420]

There's a lot of great performances of Cold As Ice, but Live at the Rainbow is my favorite. Great reaction and analysis!

[@brookchivell]

Lou Graham is one of John Farnham’s favorite singers. So he definitely would have taken some flavor for sure

[@johnnyhunt9447]

Another one of The Greatest Rock Vocals wow in concert got to see them several times because of his Vocals

[@zhuk1803]

Спасибо за анализ. Звезды потихоньку гаснут, но мы еще долго будем греться в его лучах, разбирать каждую ноту, каждый вдох посланные нам Лу. Из России с любовью 🔥🤘❤

[@Yankeehorseman]

Lou is awesome. I've met him a few times (we are from the same town) and have seen him live many times as well. I've even git to see him play with the great Steve Gadd (another local musician). As powerful as his voice is, he is a very soft-spoken man. He is one of the great rock singers of all time. Thanks for all your videos.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

Waiting For a Girl Like You is my favorite song of theirs. Cold as Ice is #2. Thanks for your beautiful review. #3 is That Was Yesterday. Great song. Gramm's voice so good . Urgent is #4 and I Wanna Know Where Love is is #5. Your reactions are all #1 with me, Bethany. Keep up the golden work you do here. (Gramm may be the Burt Reynolds of rock singers. So casually chewing Spearmint gum while knocking it out of the stadium.) Thanks again! I've been waiting for a reactor like you.

[@musicfromtheheart100]

That's a great top 5! Lou Gramm's contribution to Foreigner is golden and no one's ever gonna replace him, but his successor, Kelly Hansen, sure is worthy as he brought his own style of singing to the band. I happen to have two of Foreigner's top hits (your #1 en #5) up on my music channel. Feel free to check 'em out anytime. It's my hope Bethany will do a reaction to the current lead singer too sometime.

[@jacksonmorganfroghin4815]

@@musicfromtheheart100 The mark of great songs is: Every time you hear them it feels like the first time. They are timeless. Thank you for your comment.

[@danjmcs]

I recently picked up this DVD, what a blast from the past... unfortunately they were still doing a few songs that Mick sings lead on and sorry Mick, but I know this was pretty early being 78 and they only had a few albums out, heh, but he's a fantastic songwriter, guitar player and multi-instrumentalist. Love Louuu! Also pretty cool to see Lou play the drums on a track since he did play the drums in his prior band life.

[@austindermody302]

Great reaction Bethany! My first time hearing this song and I really like it! My favorite Foreigner songs are Hot Blooded and Head Games.

[@MegaDog555]

hometown Lou how cool

[@mikepoppjr]

Long long way from home

[@mv9787]

I used to sing this in karaoke. There are some male vocals I love, Lou Gramm, Mickey Thomas, Fergie Frederikssen and I absolutely love Steve Perry ❤️

[@teomanha]

Every time i listen to plugin baby from muse, at one point my jaw drops. I would love to see your reaction to that.. official video. Please 😊

[@JasonSmith-lp6wg]

I don't know if it's my age (52) or that I've just heard this song so many times - over the centuries - but, damn, I, really, wanna get this chick's side of the story. (Who knows? Maybe he leaves that gum in for everything!) A great review! Best! J

[@gliebzeit]

🤣

[@renb6133]

Underrated comment, lol!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

This is a whole different calibur of singing, bordering on an operatic level. He is my biggest influence. Thank you for paying homage to this extraordinary vocalist. I keep hoping he might turn to teaching.

[@FionaEm]

I was a teenager in 80s Australia, when Foreigner was huge and John Farnham was enjoying a massive career renaissance, yet the similarities in their voices never occurred to me at the time 😅 You're right; they have similar pitch and power. I think Farnham has the edge because his voice is more mellifluous and almost operatic, but they're both amazingly energetic live performers.

[@TheChristOfRockNRoll]

Farnsy's voice is contemporary pop through and through and one of the best pop vocals around......nothing operatic if you go by the template of what an operatic voice is like such as the likes of Pavarotti. Different voice colour, texture and timbre even though both are tenors. Farnsy ain't even the typical rock voice type....as I said he is more pop....at best pop rock. When he played Jesus in the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar he delivered the vocal performance more like a pop star rather than a rock god....not enough dirt in his voice.....not enough mongrel like Barnsy. Farnsy excels in being sweet and loving rather than being the bad boy which rock n roll is so typically accustomed with such as the likes of Barnsy and Bon Scott. You don't have to agree with me but this is my story and I am sticking with it! LOL

[@garymaidman625]

​@@TheChristOfRockNRolland then he goes and does Led Zeppelin's Black Dog.

[@rickthoma6428]

Great reaction

[@nicovanbaar2788]

❤❤❤❤

[@margaretbugeja3872]

Ive seen a few vocal reviewers on YT. You are my fav 🎤

[@puddysue]

Lou Gramm was Foreigner

[@pelletblaster2632]

Lou sporting a t-shirt from the Warehouse, the long gone New Orleans concert hall.

[@EddieReischl]

Great reaction. I really liked what you had to say about different venues. I live in Wisconsin, so we have issues in the winter with lack of humidity inside buildings. Your throat can get dry and crack very easily. The harmony part in the breakdown got off to a dicey start, but it finished up well. He's a medium to high tenor, so if Lou is singing the I note, I'd (more of a baritone to low tenor) probably have to go for the V note below that, which can be harder to find, and hopefully someone else can sing the III note above him. Harmony singers that are tenor/countertenor are hard to find, because most of them are singing lead.

[@user-xd7bb9us2i]

78 год,по моему,как у нас говорили,,это группа для лордов,, в СССР БЫЛО ВСЕМ НАСРАТЬ,ТУТ ВСЕ БЫЛИ ЛОРДАМИ,А МУЗЫКА ДЛЯ ЛЮДЕЙ.

[@rickthoma6428]

Lou=Foreigner

[@speezbortzappfing3r224]

looks like he's on a powerful stimulant

[@SuperKillerinside]

Just discovered your channel this past few days. Enjoying all the videos whilst recovering from surgery. Please consider Hozier - Cherry Wine or Take Me To Church. Love from Belfast, Northern Ireland 💚💚

[@xburk550]

I'm not sure why I didn't realize that many Canadian bands from this era are so simular. I'm guessing it all stemmed from early Rush? Love your channel by the way. 👍👍👍

[@fadhilarief1537]

Awesome, good, so fantastic 🎉💦🎆🌿💢💫

[@borgcutus5780]

That synthesizer was just oh, so late '70s!!!!

[@bartmckrell6139]

Check out steve Walsh from Kansas! In his prime Mr. walsh was definitely a top five Rock and roll vocalist!!

[@tnridge]

I would love to see you do The Flame By Cheap Trick.

[@vesslewis9166]

Great comments from you and the viewers. I just love how you bring back some of my favorites from my youth. Ooh ooh ohh...do Bad Company! That was another of my favorites with a stellar vocalist! Love your videos and look forward to every one! I just watched before this one Judas Priest, Sad wings of Destiny Victim of Change and Painkiller. Just over the top awesome.

[@ericsharron]

urgent is a awesome song me favorite lol

[@bruinbro23]

You're so beautiful and love your personality 💗

[@TexRobNC]

Personal opinion, and I'm sure it's been suggested, but playing the full video and giving your facial reaction only, then going back through, would feel like it does the songs more justice, to me

[@bretts6861]

Easily one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time. I recommend checking out the KZbin of foreigner on Regis and Kathie Lee.

[@CT.411]

Would really like to hear your analysis of anything by Chris Cornell . . . The Day I Tried to Live with Soundgarden would be preferred, but anything by him, whether with SG, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog, or solo . . . it’s all so good.

[@lockstar169]

I actually agree with the John Farnham comparison. I think what you're calling "velvety" I'm calling "pure", with break-up on command. They both also have a quality that I call "vertical voices". Sure they both engage a head voice to achieve the upper register tones but it's so smooth, it just sounds like full voice, with seemingly no obvious changes in technique on the way up. I'm so jealous of Lou's voice. I'm a rocker with a better chance of doing Vince Gill than Lou Gramm 😄

[@glenrosarian2352]

My favorite Foreigner song. Have you checked out any Journey yet? I would like to see your reaction to 'Lovin Touchin Squeezin', in particular to frontman Steve Perry. Also, what you said is true, that Foreigner is great because all the band members are such talented musicians.

[@JEM133]

Thats a nice tight out!

[@stompugood18]

One of the best ever....and he always chewed gum

[@mattyoxide3650]

I don’t know any of this vocal science, but Lou and John Farnham sound very similar to me.

[@mattyoxide3650]

Far out. You mentioned that right after I wrote that. 🙃