Lou Gramm Interview On Early Years, Writing & Recording With Foreigner, and Career Highlights

In this intimate sit-down, Kevin Curtin interviews Lou Gramm, the original lead singer of Foreigner. In this conversation, Lou talks early beginnings, the stories behind some of Foreigner's biggest hits, and career highlights.
Thanks to Lou Gramm. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.
Curtin Call- Episode 32 (Shot in CT, August 19, 2023)
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[@errorsofmodernism7331]

There is no Foreigner without Lou Gramm, he is the heart and soul of the band

[@user-dt7ev5og9s]

Lou Gramm IS Foreigner. He’s absolutely amazing!!!

[@joannmartinez8295]

Mick Jones never appreciated what he had in Lou Gramm a loyal friend, a great songwriter, a lead singer like no other!, and a loyal bandmate who was always willing to tell the truth and compromise when necessary. I was thrilled when lou's solo career took off, I was hoping he would never have to go back! I still play Ready or Not almost everyday and midnight blue is still one of my favorite songs! You stole my heart at 13 and you have it still!!❤❤❤ So glad you finally got the recognition you deserve by being inducted into the songwriters Hall of Fame! Prayers love and positive thoughts to you, take care Lou.😊

[@TheSports50]

Lou’s voice is getting better over the years from recovering. So lucky he is still performing. He is supposed to release 7 songs he wrote. Love to hear those

[@kenperkins7921]

I was disappointed that LU DIDN'T GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR PRACTICAL BRINGING HIM back back to life FROM ,THE DEAD.

[@Gwendysuz1210]

Lou I’m so glad you’re here to be inducted into the music rock n roll hall of fame !! Congratulations 🎉🎉🎉🎉. Long overdue to one of the best lead vocals of rock !! I was also in the band. Marching & symphonic. Love you 🥰

[@rhondarobin-jones6957]

LOU LOOKS FANTASTIC. HIS HAIR HAS GROWN THICK AND LONG , HE LOOKS AND SOUNDS HEALTHY AND HIS INTERVIEW IS VERY INTERESTING TO LISTEN TO. I CAN LISTEN TO HIM TALK FOR HOURS. HIS EXPERIENCES ARE GOLDEN AND ARE LESSONS TO US ALL. LIVE LONG LOU. I LOVE LOU GRAMM FOREVER.

[@djdannyg]

Great interview! His voice is unmatched in Rock.

[@ytr3488]

It's gone now there's no disputing that fact

[@jessiem276]

​@@ytr3488 No, it isn't.

[@nbmooselovers]

I'm a 64 year old male from Canada. I still have my old Foreigner cassettes that I blasted out of my boom box. Their music got me through some tough years growing up. When I met my future wife in 1981, I called the radio station and requested "I've Been Waiting For A Girl Like You" and then called her and told her to turn on the radio and wait for it. It was a "Perfect Moment" in my life! We are still happily together after 42 years! "Thank You" Lou.. for the many hours of enjoyment in my life! 😊❤👍👍👍

[@MrHairyNeck]

Nice interview. Great to see him looking and sounding so well..

[@cheyanndoyle1688]

❤️u Lou!

[@jesseserna8424]

Lou Graham and Dio is my idols to this day…

[@user-wh1gc3qy3p]

🎶🌹Thank you Lou for sharing your years in the music field. It’s great hearing how you grew and developed. ❤🎶🙏💕

[@lady_in_blue83]

Thank you very much! Lou is my favourite rock singer. His memories are so treasured. You did a great job!

[@CurtinCall]

Thank you for watching 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@lady_in_blue83]

@@CurtinCall Love and music shall unite! All the best from Russia!

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

The first time I heard Lou belting out those intense hot blooded C5s is when I knew I had a lot of vocal work to do. I was blown away by his power and tone quality. 4 is a Rock vocal masterclass.

[@turtle19dad]

Waiting for a Girl Like You. The song my high school sweetheart thinks of when it comes to us. She’s now my wife.

[@dagmarmangesius]

Lou Gramm is Foreigner...my Favorit song is That was Yesterday, but I love them all ... 🎙🎶🎸greetings from munich germany

[@mcmac1272]

Thanks for asking about some of his solo work. It seems most interviewers skip over that part of his career.

[@dean828]

Top notch interview... love hearing the stories from Lou Gramm... I'm 53, been digging his music since the late 1970's... my babysitter jammed Foreigner in her 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang! (Would like to maybe hear some "deeper" questions... such as what fave tunes from Foreigner/Solo that Lou Gramm loves, but can't really do live as since they weren't "Hits"... who would he like to work with/make some music... wonder if Lou would sing on a Kerry Livgren (Kansas) composition... both are Christian musicians...

[@CurtinCall]

Thanks for the comment & thanks for watching! Appreciate it!

[@lady_in_blue83]

Dear Dean, nice to meet you! Thank you very much! We still believe that Lou comes to perform in Russia one day. I'm even honoured to take the interview from him for one rock magazine. I can try to ask Bob, his manager, to answer your questions. If you want it, just let me know, please. I'm almost 40, but my father introduced a lot of wonderful old-time music pieces.

[@andyhamilton8940]

Could listen to Lou talk forever.

[@tejaml]

i love this gu y !!

[@Kattymontenegro50]

Lou el grande ❤❤❤

[@deepsouthNZ]

What a fascinating and talented man Lou is and i love listening to his stories.

[@vanshipman]

So cool to see Lou still doing well, what a singer. Great interview! Just a little constructive critique here, you may want to work on keeping your hand gestures at bay. I realize it’s a nervous tic, most of us have them, mine is clearing my throat. Best of luck to you and again, great job.

[@FLHRFAN]

Just saw Lou in Wabash Indiana. He put on a great show!!!! Every song was great! He IS Foreigner.

[@joannmartinez8295]

OMG! God must have had your angels working overtime! I think I would have told Mick Jones no way in hell am I touring! You are truly an amazing person with so much heart and soul!

[@Gwendysuz1210]

I totally agree & I thought the same thing too !! Long live Lou. ❤

[@Iluvbisquits]

My Holy Trinity of Rock vocalists are Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Lou Gramm...

[@mattschnoor3191]

Steve Perry Freddie Mercury Paul Rodgers and Lou Gramm, you know it when you hear it. Special.

[@cezxnne]

Such a great interview, I've loved Lou's voice and Foreigner's music since I was 15 (I'm 29 now) and I'm proud of him for coming so far in his life to still be rockin' out today. Bless him. 💜

[@ilc-nl3yy]

I love these Lou Gramm interviews!

[@dvongrad]

I Want To Know What Love Is is still my #1 of all time and the reason I was known as Foreigner on chat lines from the '80s.

[@Gwendysuz1210]

I loved hot blooded then & now !!! ❤. Lou I love your sense of humor too!! Great interview!!

[@jtgmail459]

Lou Gramm is the best !!!

[@andyfox6023]

I just turned 15 when Foreigner 4 was released and it was the first rock LP that I ever bought. The magic and feeling of the melodies sung by Lou are still just as incredible today as they were then ! Lou gramm "was foreigner" and they wouldn't have anything without him, they would have just been another average band and it was wholly him who gave foreigner their magic ! I could barely believe it when I recently discovered in another Lou interview that Mick had scammed him so badly over the years, as in reality he was riding on the back of Lou and owes everything to the magic of his voice and ability! I can't really find the right words to describe Lou's voice and the feeling he put into every word. His voice was without a doubt singularly the best in the rock world. There will never be anyone to top Lou gramm and I'm sure I'm not alone in being grateful for being alive when Lou was doing what he did! I still sit in disbelief at how anyone could sing so well, beautifully and with so much fresh, raw and a kind of desperate, breathless emotion every time I listen to him! Thanks Lou !!

[@melelenath]

Great interview with our Juke Box Hero - still rocking, and as bright and funny and humble as he always has been. He is a real star.

[@southerngirldreaming]

This is a great interview. I’ve watched it a few times. That small lead in the high school choir led to some beautiful, magical music. I love his voice!

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Fantastic interview. Thank you for sharing!

[@joannmartinez8295]

Lou you hit the nail on the head with your statement about what happened after you had surgery for your brain tumor..... I was in a serious car accident hit head on at 30 miles an hour. I did not have surgery but I did have serious injuries to the front and back of my brain. It took about the same length of time for me to feel normal! it was so hard to explain how I felt and what I was going through! I made a statement to friends and family similar to yours it was like being high or drunk except you couldn't come off of it. I remember going after your surgery and going into a church and lighting a candle everyday praying for your recovery and your family. Hearing what you went through gave me a better understanding of what I went through at the time.❤❤

[@lady_in_blue83]

God bless you, dear Joann! Please don't go through this hell again!

[@quiteriamendes3100]

Lou Gramm amo você que maravilha que você está muito bem graças a Deus Lou eu tenho certeza que Deus te ama muito fico muito feliz em te ver feliz sou do Brasil 🇧🇷 gostaria que essa entrevista fosse traduzido em português te amo Lou 😢❤

[@Rodeojoneswa12]

I've seem several interviews with Lou and he seemed most relaxed in this interview; great job on your part. I was hoping he would speak on his spiritual life and one of your last questions opened that door for him but he didn't go through it for some reason. Great video and thanks for sharing.

[@johnmcginnis2410]

Long Hard Look is an awesome album. I think its every bit as good as the Foreigner albums and they were great.

[@zoso73]

Good interview. Thank you.

[@bradley-eblesisor]

Midnight Blue and Rev on the Red Line are two of my favorite Forigner songs and Lou is 50% of Foreigner. His music is the sound of my adolescence! Thanks for a wonderful interview! 👍👍

[@CurtinCall]

Thanks for watching!!

[@anthonymacneil2279]

Lou is Foreigner and always will be. There are no imitations, he's a class act and simply the best. Cheers my friend

[@craftymulligar]

Sure I heard the name but didn't put Foreigner to the music until "I don't know what love is" came out when dj spoke it out back in the early 80s.

[@killerfitz84]

Wow, great interview. really really good to see Lou looking better than he has in years. Such an amazing vocalist. Truly one of the greatest voices to ever come out of a white man! shame about all the crap with Mick Jones. Lou comes across such a humble and ego-less guy...Mick however..not so much. But that was the formula. And it worked

[@CurtinCall]

Thanks for watching!! Appreciate it. And I agree. 👏🏻🙏🏻

[@colinmac5848]

Great interview Kevin! I learned so much.

[@CurtinCall]

Thanks Brother! 🙏🏻

[@chiptoothtech4937]

AWESOME INTERVIEW!!!!! WITH THE AWESOME LOU GRAMM!!!! ^_^!!

[@ilc-nl3yy]

I think if Lou is up to it, him, his band and another classic mainstream band or artist should do a big tour.

[@southshore8911]

Common Lou so Mic made the money and you got the IMOTALITY of the songs to live forever in your voice .. You got the better deal !

[@johnburgess6572]

No one like Lou in front of a group

[@waltersimmons946]

He should kept the hair curly and frizzy. That's the Lou I knew meant business.

[@sabrinapittsley2304]

His hair was naturally curly but I heard him say in another interview that after his brain surgery his hair texture changed and it became straight.

[@waltersimmons946]

@sabrinapittsley2304 Thank you, Sabrina . Yes, mam, I know how it affected him . He was on 12 to 15 different medications 💊after that surgery. It was years later when the doctors actually cut back on a lot of things he had to take. Unfortunately, he will have to take some medications for the rest of his life. Though I do have Lou's book " Lou Gramm JUKE BOX HERO my 5 decades in Rock n Roll," he didn't disclose that info in that book. In some interviews he had done (about 2009), he revealed what I've mentioned to you. This is not in his book either, but Lou also said he had developed type 2 diabetes and says he definitely has it under control . If you could see FOREIGNER BEHIND THE MUSIC (2002), Lou had the curly then . That was 5 years after his surgery. I just miss the look he had. It made him look very distinctive, but you are right about what changed him physically.

[@crazydoglady5]

@@waltersimmons946he also didnt say how he got into singing in his book..so this interview answered that question. Lou looks different in so many images i see. You can tell when he was young. shorter curly hair..darker..no wrinkles..lightly quieter voice. as he grew into the fabulous singer, he grew out his hair...i didn't like it all long with no layers in it. He looked like a flower child..but once he cut it....and had layers put in it and cut from around his face and higher up on the ears...boy that made him sexy. he got skinnier too i guess with doing the drugs. then 10 yrs into Foreigner he started showing some wrinkles but was still sexy. the image on the cover of his book was the sexy Lou. I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE watching him sing. not just listening but watching too because he sang with so much emotion. I seen a video of him singing in Europe while on vacation not long after his surgery. his hair was short...and straight. he was heavier of course due to the medications. but that smile..he has a beautiful smile that lights up the room. his voice is unmatchable. Its sad how Mick treated him. Lou really thought alot of Mick..looked up to him I think..then Mick broke his spirit. to this day I know Lou misses the friendship they had...sadly Mick was more about Mick. He took advantage of Lou. Lou has a heart of gold and always has. A fair and honest guy just trying to live his dream. I wished Lou's own band would have been able to make it and he didn't go back to foreigner. BUT I WILL SAY, I did like the ballads that Foreigner did and Lou is more of a hard rocker. Although Midnight Blue is a terrific song, Lou was at his peak when with Foreigner....that damn brain tumor really put a dent in his lifelong dream. Nearly 10 yrs to get back to himself and feeling good. at 46/47 puts him at 56/57 which is when age starts changing things. That tumor stole his golden years. But Lou will always be that Hall of Famer he should be and probably will be after he dies. As he says, Hall of Fame wont ever put Foreigner in there due to the argument with Mick and Hall of fame guys..but that attitude is selfish for hall of fame guys. They should be fired themselves. one argument sealed their fate for Hall of Fame. I call that immaturity of the Hall of Fame guys. Lou has a heart of gold, smart as a whip and talent out the wazoo. He will be forever remembered as that brilliant voice behind the REAL Foreigner band.

[@waltersimmons946]

@crazydoglady5 Thanks for responding. Actually, in his book, he explained that though he was a drummer originally and started writing songs . He actually started singing in his local bands at that point as a teenager. He also explained it was very difficult to play the drums, keep foot and hand positions to play (to keep time) while singing at the same time. On the video, (in 1991) called FOREIGNER FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME, where it was various interviews and concert footage of the ORIGINAL Lineup. Lou actually said he put the drum sticks down and became a singer (during the POOR HEART and BLACK SHEEP period) and said the band FREE was a big decisive factor as to what kind of singer he wanted to be. He said the song ALL RIGHT NOW "Turned my head 360, and that's was the kind stuff I was after". Steve Marriot and Marvin Gaye were also Mega influences on him and Lou even went to their concerts. That's how driven he was. Mick Jones seemed to try to deviate Lou from that (Yep the ballads) .That's why they clashed. Lou Gramm is a rock singer. Johnny Edwards and Kelly Hansen were both glam heavy metal singers before they both replaced Lou during their own tenure in Foreigner.

[@deepsouthNZ]

Lou was a very handsome guy when he was younger and fronting the band.

[@SivaKumar-pf3ze]

No Lou no Foreigner