Lou Gramm Recalls the CONTROVERSY that got Foreigner BANNED!

[@Moondoggy1941]

Head Games I never thought for a second it was anything but what Head Games means, messing with someone thinking,

[@joeysplats3209]

'Cuz you were too young to get the double entendre'

[@garycastronova7939]

​@@joeysplats3209 I. On the contrary, I was 9 at the time and thought it meant sexual. I didn't realize until much later that it was about something else.

[@jamesnewberry1191]

Me too !

[@kellidinit3725]

Me either. And I definitely wasn’t too young to get the innuendo, but even the guys that made every song dirty, didn’t even do so with this song.

[@dougpeters1625]

Lou is not only one of the best rock vocalists ever, he is a solid dude with a good heart. Love this man.

[@rolandsolomon7728]

Absolutely! The best.

[@jimringomartin]

So sorry Lou had so much health adversity. Such a cool dude, and one of the best voices in Rock history.

[@The70sChick]

Agreed. Such an incredible voice.

[@newworldcommunications5658]

Sketchy people do that to pure talent

[@Beethoven5th]

Lou Gramm is a solid singer...one of the best in rock history. Good interview from You, as usual. 😎👍

[@VRPRocks]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 👍🤘

[@adrianlee3497]

I used to cover Dirty White Boy in a band in South Florida playing in bars. Everyone loved it, and I never associated Head Games with how those radio stations did. Wow!

[@ShaunHensley]

Head Games was a hugely popular album.

[@sleightofmind2016]

I was 14 when this came out and never thought anything different than you. Sounds like the 'dirty minds' are with the radio/recording executives, not the fans.

[@vcvortex6356]

I always thought the cover was depicting a woman that is into risky permissive behavior. Maybe a groupie or just a hot chick that wanted nailed in the men's room. I never thought it depicted anything wrong.

[@jamesdelaney3797]

They played those 2 songs every day in south florida K.102, 103 she

[@stevebird6632]

I saw Foreigner at the old Hollywood Sportatorium in 78, wore the Double Vision tour t-shirt to high school proudly 🎸😁

[@darrininverarity4297]

In grade school back in the 80s the term”head games” became a saying we used to identify people that were gaslighting or treating someone poorly,it was a common phrase back then.

[@216trixie]

I've never thought of a different meaning

[@Marco-zq9vd]

yeah. the double entendre could have easily been made, but it wasnt played that way and never taken that way by anyone i knew.

[@notozknows]

@@216trixie I think headgames is used by young adults.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

That’s the only way I’ve ever heard that term used (I’m on the younger Gen X side). That claim seems totally ridiculous to me but so many songs were attacked for absolutely ludicrous claims then - songs had “satanic messages” (see the insane Judas Priest trial, which they won of course), or pushed “political” messages (“Anarchy in the UK”), or whatever else…

[@deanm375]

@@216trixie Me either and a i was a hormone addled 13 year old when the album came out. I've never considered "Head Games" to mean anything other than someone playing mind games with you.

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Rev on the Red-line = underrated Killer !!! Lou Gramm is a Phenomenal vocalist.

[@roywatson8133]

always my fav track on that album

[@ronricherson6685]

Agree

[@donwarnick1089]

In Rochester there was a stretch of winding road on lake avenue which I imagine the song was written for.

[@sashasavisha146]

Totally agree. Rev and Dirty White Boy. Two of my favorite Foreigner songs. Overall not as good an album as Double Vision, which was great. But who cares? Not every album can be a greatest hits 😂

[@khernandez46]

The sexiest voice in rock history

[@AI_Surfer]

‘Head Games’ is my second favorite Foreigner album, and the album cover is definitely my favorite. The songs ‘Head Games’ and ‘Dirty White Boy’ got a lot of radio air play in the Los Angeles area in 1979. Too bad Roy Thomas Baker failed at the task.

[@lilajagears8317]

I remember KLOS and KMET playing the album without any negative feedback.

[@ryanjones4150]

@@lilajagears8317 Me too ! I miss me some KMET ! Those stations played "Women" a lot too, I wasn't aware of any controversy. Little bit of heaven 94.7, KMET, tweedle dee !

[@ShaunHensley]

Tons of airplay in the Bay Area as well.

[@I-Libertine]

Atlanta was all over it. We bought the album, listened to it, played songs from it in our band. Great record.

[@lilajagears8317]

I agree, it is still played here in LA. on 95.5 KLOS which has been going strong since 1969 with a mix of classic and new rock.

[@josephcarino5829]

This guy is class personified

[@gnrnando88]

Unfortunately, "Head Games" didn't receive more visibility at the time. That album, along with "Foreigner 4," represented the peak of Lou's voice. "Blinded by Silence" and "Rev on the Red Line" are perfect examples of his powerful vocals. Lou is a living rock legend!

[@videogeekin]

Dallas, Texas radio always supported the ‘Head Games’ album.

[@davidmatela9868]

HEAD GAMES ALBUM #1 Great Cover too! I still listen to the whole record all the time!!!

[@stephendupuis6062]

70’s rock was the best ever. Things were never as good. Glad to be old enough to have lived it.

[@popeye089]

There was a lot of bad music. You only remember the good lol

[@BillDollar777]

​@@popeye089Unlike today. There's nothing but bad.

[@Biden_Cult_Morons]

​@@popeye089.. I'm guessing your a 'glass half empty' kind of person 😂

[@Thataintnothing]

Nope Your Correct born 57 great music and hair and cars !!! every period has some bad music or Songs ,especially this fake Autotune Bullshit!!

[@RezPlank]

​@@popeye089Compared to now there was "a lot of bad music"?? How old are you, 13?

[@Qingeaton]

Lou Gramm is a legend. One of the very best.

[@ImYourOverlord]

Head Games is a great album! Growing up, when it came out, most of us kids in the SF Bay Area loved it, and still do 😁

[@timsacco6g694]

In my opinion , Head Games is one of their best offerings, I personally at 15 loved the cover!

[@khernandez46]

Same

[@andycano5756]

Head Games is great from song to song. Probably, their best album.

[@drewbaisden3475]

The album cover of Head Games was awesome haha.Pure hot genius. And the music was great, every bit as good as Double Vision.

[@briangoodman5260]

was blown away when I realized their song "rev on the red line" was about racing on Lake Avenue in Rochester!

[@marcdavis2745]

I'm 65 Had The Vinyl Upon Release

[@jonspangler1868]

Foreigner was on rotation on the RIF (WRIF) in Detroit and WLAV out of Grand Rapids in the 70s. I don’t remember any controversy surrounding the Album cover or the songs. Lou should be honored for his vocals and contributions to a great rock band.

[@JayLangly]

I don't remember any problems either. Q105 in Athens, GA-- this was played rotation and was a rock staple on that station in the 70s. What was the big deal? Complete overthinking I guess.

[@sinbadsailor1963]

It's nonsense. I was in Boston. WCOZ and WAAF played it around the clock. WBCN was following a more alternative rock DJ-directed format but they didn't ban it. Gramm admits that the songs were not up to the same standard as Double Vision.

[@moonshoes11]

The Home of Rock n Roll… Baby!

[@publiusking8004]

Great job on the interview here - so good to hear Lou and his stories. He and all the musicians he worked with did some amazing stuff. That said, that first album from 1977 is a masterpiece of performance, creativity and production.

[@Havoc-bc6oy]

Lou was a great singer and really down to earth - i'd really like to have a beer with him - i could listen to his stories for hours.

[@sergeia]

Head games is an awesome album with awesome cover no matter what they say!

[@ericligotke3542]

Call me dumb, but I was in high school when head games came out. I thought “head games” meant something mental and emotional, not groin related. Boy, was I such a dummy back then!

[@TheGoodReverendSatan]

That's the right meaning. The other guys misconstrued it

[@HighlanderNorth1]

❓😒 Yeah, WTH were you thinking?? I _ALWAYS_ knew it was about groins... All Foreigner songs are covertly "groin-related". BTW, I was the owner of all those radio stations that banned these songs from radio play. I didn't want my 20-something listeners to be mentally scarred by being reminded that they had groins. 😁

[@nickkruger3296]

You’re not the only one!

[@TheJudgeofLevelstm]

Where in this interview did he say that was the intention ?

[@sharondavis258]

I, like you, thought it meant "mind games".

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

This is hilarious and sad at the same time, because when we were listening to head games when the album came out, not a single person I knew thought it was about giving head. It was about messing with your mind. And now we’re dealing with men saying that they are actually girls, and vice versa, but people were burning their albums because they thought it was about giving head? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@musicmike1960]

We love our hometown hero and stand behind Lou forever.

[@brucechristensen2161]

Don't you mean "jukebox hero".

[@Grungefan2018]

Rochester NY 😊

[@GoProMoFo-yj5wd]

Head Games is my favorite! The drums are thunder!! I’ve been a fan since their debut and have Foreigver, Double Vision, Head Games, 4, Records, Agent Provocateur & Inside Information - all have good, worthy songs but they definitely peaked with 4, but Head Games is a banger

[@davidmatela9868]

Dennis Eliot’s drumming with Foreigner seems to get overlooked. His playing on the Head Games Album is phenomenal!!

[@67tomcat]

Agree, esp on the song "Seventeen".

[@davidmatela9868]

@@67tomcat Kicks Ass 👍

[@ltrenum]

Foreigner were never my favorite but they definitely have great stuff, always like hearing Head Games and Dirty White Boy. Lou’s candor is also refreshing.

[@kallsop2]

Head Games was the first Foreigner concert I went to back in 1979 and it got a lot of airplay in Oklahoma and Texas.

[@Grungefan2018]

That was my first concert too !!! Saw them in Syracuse NY. I was 16 yrs old and they were AMAZING !!!!

[@williamweiss6128]

Loved that early Foreigner stuff. Recorded the King Biscuit show on Dad's reel to reel. Turns out it's the Live At The Rainbow 77 show. Have it on cd and the dvd, of course, now. Elliott just killin' it on drums. ❤ it!! Plus, got to see them 78, I think. April Wine opening. Jeez I'm old.

[@jupitermadcat]

Wow I grew up in the 70’s and I remember Head games I love that album. To me head games meant head games like cerebral a woman playing with your mind. and Dirty white boy rocks the whole album does. Love Foreigner and Lou one of the best vocalists ever.

[@shopkins11]

I loved, and still love, that album AND the cover, it was 1979, everything was a bit risque, from Farrah's nip poster to the overt sexuality of the disco scene, (including lots of rumors of celebs engaging in lascivious, cocaine induced acts in places like Studio 54) , I'm not buying the outrage Lou seems to remember over the album's initial release. In fact when the sex left rock and roll, rock and roll began it's death spiral. Anyone who doesn't understand that doesn't really understand WHERE the term, "rock and roll", originated.

[@billythephoenix]

Roy Thomas Baker was probably thinking about those The Cars albums he was producing at around the same time. He had a lot on his plate.

[@rodreeves8076]

That’s exactly what I was thinking when Lou was talking about him.

[@predictorleague8780]

And then came the album 4! Masterpiece!

[@ChrissyM17]

Those who burned their Foreigner albums regret it now, not only that in todays world it would have never happened.

[@minkorrh]

Lou....great music...a huge part of my youth as a 13-14 y.o...Even your solo stuff was great. Sad tales about a great band.

[@scottbrown8142]

I was teenager in late 70 early 80s..listen to Foreigner a lot. Enjoyed that album, didn’t know anything about the controversy. Everyone has to thrown a gasket about something i guess.

[@StanBurns]

growing up in the 70s I remember this album coming out and I remember everyone enjoyed it immensely I've never heard a bad word spoken about it !

[@kenamaro3942]

Lou is one of the best American rock vocalists.

[@kristopherloviska9042]

I had the Head Games LP on my Christmas wish list. My Mom picked a different LP off that list because she didn't like the cover. Miss you Mom.

[@vxy357]

Yep! Moms back then didn't allow their sons to buy anything that was sexually explicit or had "nekkid women" on it. My mom was the same way 😂.

[@SierraThunder]

"Head Games" was one of my all-time FAVORITE Foreigner albums! It still is. I still have two unopened first pressings of it, the one that I did open I immediately taped on my Teac recorder, it gets played at least every two months. But I've always loved their music, well until all of the soft keyboard ballads started cropping up. But even in my mid-60's, I'm still a huge fan of Lou Gramm's vocals.

[@MileyonDisney]

I was living in Southern Missouri when 'Head Games' came out, and it was AWESOME! Still is!

[@tdvols]

Head Games was an awesome album!

[@DeliRevv]

I honestly didn't see what all the fuss was over the cover. Even though I was a young and impressionable 7 year old at the time, I simply thought it was just some naughty chick that got caught writing on a bathroom stall and that was it. On a musical level, I loved hearing Dirty White Boy and the title track on the radio which thankfully my local radio station (WGRD in Grand Rapids, MI) played the crap out of those two songs. Eventually, I was able to get ahold of the album and I thought it was just as good, if not better, than the first album even though Double Vision was still better. It blows my mind to hear Lou talk about how uninvolved Roy Thomas Baker was in the making of Head Games. Perhaps he was too focused on Queen and The Cars and was spread too thin for Foreigner to give them his full attention. Still, I love the album, especially Rev on the Red Line. Why on Earth that song wasn't a radio hit is beyond me.

[@Slapjabber]

Yet, Cardi B’s WAP sells millions and nobody says boo.

[@uncleswan3896]

Cardi B doesn't have a suggested rape depicted on any of her album covers

[@Slapjabber]

@@uncleswan3896 SUGGESTED rape. Wow, I hope you don’t sit on anybody’s jury. Does this mean you don’t own Spinal Tap’s ‘Smell the Glove’ album?

[@100hooker]

Cardi B has zero talent.

[@uncleswan3896]

@@100hooker obviously she has enough talent to probably sell more records than you. doesn't mean you have to like it. personally I don't like ice skating, but it requires a lot of talent.

[@100hooker]

@@uncleswan3896 it’s all studio magic tricks and lip synced “live” performances. Whitney Houston had talent, Ms B has image and people behind her. But hey, if bubble gum manufactured “music” is your thing, then I respect your input and wish you all the best 😀

[@JohnMacFergus-oz5cp]

Great debut album. Very original and fresh for the period. Lou is one of the best vocalists in rock and Roll. I forgave you about that album cover a long time ago. Thanks for telling your story Lou.

[@carlr8061]

Always loved that album. The first 4 albums are all awesome & the best they ever did.

[@rickmitchell9886]

Went to Portland Maine to see Foreigner in 1977 riding in the back of a pickup truck with a lot of people never forget it was a great time and concert 😊

[@chrislestermusic]

That was where I saw all the concerts if my youth. Right on!

[@nprbiz]

Great concert memories there. Ive seen everything from AC/DC money's to Cinderella's white Grand Piano coming down from the ceiling there..

[@Scott_From_Maine]

@@nprbiz I was at that Cinderella show. Unforgettable.

[@CrazyLG72]

My Pop would play this album before going to his gigs in 79-80 as his band played a few tracks off Head Games. Once he would leave, I'd continue to play the album and it became my favorite Foreigner album. It still is 45 years later

[@LindaStein-k7q]

That was a sign of the times back then. The controversy made me Love the album even more!

[@sinbadsailor1963]

There was no controversy.

[@LindaStein-k7q]

@sinbadsailor1963 yeah there was.....

[@cdprince768]

I'm not sure I understand how the band suffered much regarding this album. "Head Games" peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and received a Platinum certification four months after it hit the stores, and it spawned two top-15 singles.

[@cdprince768]

@@cactusjackNV So you're saying it played head games with them? 🤧

[@adrianbrowne7874]

Roy Thomas Baker is an excellent producer with a 'proven track record'! What a pity that in overall terms this venture didn't go entirely according to plan!!

[@adrianbrowne7874]

Thankyou!!

[@sabbathtribute]

Head Games is great. The first 3 Foreigner albums for me were the best. The most important. Lou Gramm was hands doesn't my favorite singer. His voice at peak will always be in my heart❤️

[@FranktheDachshund]

Never heard of this, that album was played ad nauseam in northern California.

[@Thataintnothing]

And in Cincinnati !

[@martysmith5260]

I lived in a fairly conservative area in Michigan when this album came out. But stations played the hell out of those two songs. As far as I know, record stores all carried the album too. I don't remember any real controversy about the songs or the cover.

[@moonshoes11]

It was a Monday…a day like any other day.

[@MarkGilliam-er7rs]

The radio stations in Detroit played this album. Didnt know about the controversy.

[@mattdylan664]

if you've never seen the video Foreigner Live At The Rainbow '78 find a copy, one of the greatest live Rock and Roll performances ever captured!

[@jenhasken]

I always thought he was British!?! Great band. My first concert ❤

[@georgehinterlong6511]

Oddly enough, in then ultra conservative Cincinnati , I was completely unaware of this controversy. WEBN played it a lot.

[@sinbadsailor1963]

It's a nonsense claim. I was in Boston, and it was played around the clock on the top AOR stations: WCOZ and WAAF.

[@randyduncan795]

Thanks to Foreigner for releasing their music in high res. I bought 4 and their first album when they released in on DVD-Audio. Juke Box Hero in 5.6 is a must hear.

[@claytonb9685]

Head Games is my all time favorite Foreigner album. The albums that followed relied heavily on ballads.

[@thomashumphrey7395]

How is Foreigner not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? So stupid and makes them ("The Hall") have almost zero credibility. And that record cover is iconic and a fond memory of high school days.

[@JESUS-SAVES_1975.]

Foreigner was finally nominated a few weeks ago.Hoping they get in.

[@stormbringercoming8105]

The HOF has ZERO credibility. No credibility. None at all. It’s a joke. It’s lame. It is the opposite of what rock and roll is all about.

[@sicksquid3258]

@@stormbringercoming8105 100% true.

[@armand1997]

I was in Cleveland during this time, and WMMS (not WMMR) played Head Games and Dirty White Boy. Loved that album.

[@cheaptricked]

And that’s my favorite Foreigner album; who knew?

[@strawpiglet]

I always wondered why their style changed so radically. Great band in both incarnations.

[@kajem575]

None of that happened in Southern lower Michigan that I remember. COLD AS ICE was the 1st FOREIGNER song I heard,late at night (12-1 a:m?) with my radio antenna sticking out the second floor bedroom window through a hole in the screen. RINGO -sez✌️❤

[@sinbadsailor1963]

Exactly. The claim that the songs were banned is nonsense. The songs were just not as good as their previous work. I lived in Boston.

[@kryptoekid]

Same here , grew up in Roseville, antenna sticking my bedroom window, loved foreigner.

[@Nirky]

Loved the album, especially Dirty White Boy & Rev on the Red Line. I think their first 4 albums were brilliant.

[@brookswade5774]

Lou, once you were out of Foreigner, I washed my hands of them.

[@WyattScott]

Head Games is the best Foreigner record IMHO. Most of it rocks harder than any other of their albums and the cover is epic, probably my first boner as a young lad likely induced as a result of buying it when I was 9 years old. That album holds a special place in my heart and ears.

[@ktpinnacle]

Wonder what those three "unfinished" songs were in his opinion.

[@gerry1620]

Yeah would love to know.

[@dave9497]

Head Games...a tremendous album!

[@sheilaciappetta5937]

I went to see Foreigner at Nassau Coliseum. It was the Foreigner 4 Tour , Billy Squire opened, I refused to see them again because Lou Gramm was not singing in the band. I want the original and the best. Lou is the best.

[@charlesadams41]

The cover model is Lisanne Falk, who appeared in film & TV and now resides in the UK

[@markhickey3254]

Lou's vocal on I wanna know what love is made the song what it is. No way it would have done as well without him. Credit to Lou.

[@Pamplemousse82322]

Never once thought that.

[@margueritemazzeo2904]

I love you Lou forever...King of the 🎤 Mic..👑🔥🥰🎊

[@Brooklynmusicforum]

Head games is one of my all-time favorite albums

[@newavatar2947]

Head Games album should be remixed as it IS the Best Foriegner set. I always felt 4 was overrated and overplayed. I do love Don't Let Go off that album though with Ian Lloyd backing vocals. I don't think they ever played that song live

[@dsgp7835]

I loved the Head Games album cover. I'm from a very conservative area of the country and Head Games and Dirty White Boys was being played all the time. I can't imagine a Cleveland or Boston station not playing them or people burning albums.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

I loved that album. Revving on the redline

[@awrogers3013]

Saw him live after foreigner with Todd Rundgren on a Beatles tribute..Ann Wilson…Lou…Christopher Cross…good show…

[@andrettski8686]

Both songs were played here in the Pacific NW.

[@notozknows]

The big station he was talking about was WMMS 101 (100.7) CLEVELAND at the time. A lot of us just figured it was a publicity stunt, we loved the album but I can see others point of view. I actually bought the cassette tape. They wanted the old rock back because the rock music was taking a "lollipop" turn. I was a dishwasher at the Sheraton Aurora Ohio.

[@toots810usa6]

I was in the Mile High City of Denver and I never heard of this. Colorado loves Foreigner!

[@stevetemple8826]

One of my favorite albums.

[@DredgenX]

HEAD GAAAAAMES!! Didnt know that song was about that, they play it alot on the radio around here, heard it for years and it has never come across as being overtly sexual, head games is like john lennon's mind games, its just a song. If you wrote that song today you wouldnt get banned, itd go number 1

[@WayPastCrazy2525]

My favorite album from Foreigner hands down! In fact, I listened to it again two summers ago while driving 18 hours from Atlanta to Vermont, using noise-canceling headphones because I was transporting 60 cats in a sprinter van, and I played it so loud that I soon thereafter got tinnitus of the ears. But MAN that voice and raw Foreigner sounded so good!

[@adamcaul]

This is a great band! I can’t imagine anyone burning their records.

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

I had no idea there was any controversy...the station I listened to in the first half of the 80s had no problem with it, but it's a college station. The rest of the 80s, I was in Mississippi for a short while, then Virginia for a few years...I can't remember whether the stations I listened to in Virginia played Head Games or not...all I can remember is a billboard with a picture of Phil Collins, saying "Get Your Phil" for my favorite station. Sadly, the photo I took of it was ruined in a flood.

[@leekinanus7409]

It’s crazy to think stations wouldn’t play Head Games and Dirty White Boy. Especially in that time. It wasn’t the case where I live I heard those songs and that album on the radio constantly 🤷‍♂️

[@sinbadsailor1963]

It's nonsense. I lived in Boston. It was being played there around the clock.

[@ejames6431]

Lou is awesome!

[@stevebird6632]

I had that album on 8-track, a good driving around album, never thought the title track was suggestive , a decent effort after Double Vision

[@kingcruz3]

Head games is my favorite for Foreigner album from start to finish

[@sm5574]

Anyone who thinks the "head" in Head Games refers to anything other than the mind has clearly not even bothered to listen to it.

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

I remember "head games" and "dirty white boy" being all over FM radio.

[@rosstempletonogskater]

I bought the 8track tape back then. People in Dallas thought the album cover was Funny & pretty Cool & it was being played on the Radio. Nobody was burning it or talking about it in the way Lou was describing?? At least in Dallas it was like that.

[@michaelvandiver2475]

Head Games is a classic!....Dirty White Boy is a killer opening track, Head Games is a solid rock radio classic...Seventeen is a raucous rocker deep track at the end too! Great drumming by Dennis Elliot on the whole record.