Foreigner's Lead Singer Kelly Hansen Retires: Meet Luis Maldonado, the Latino Rocker Taking Over

During the season finale of NBC's musical competition show, 'The Voice,' Kelly Hansen, Foreigner's lead singer for the past two decades, shocked the audience and his fans when he announced his departure from the band. Following a performance of their 1977 hit, "Feels Like the First Time," Hansen revealed the band's lead guitarist, Luis Maldonado, as his successor.

"After 20 magical years fronting this band, this will be my last year with Foreigner. At the end of this summer, a new great voice will sing these songs for you: my friend, Luis Maldonado."

Hansen, who joined Foreigner in 2005, said being the band's voice is one of his greatest honors. He praised Maldonado's talent, energy, and soul, expressing confidence in his ability to advance Foreigner's legacy.

Luis Maldonado, a seasoned Mexican-American musician known for his work with Train and Lisa Marie Presley, joined Foreigner as a guitarist in 2021. Fluent in Spanish, he stepped in as lead vocalist during the band's Latin American tour, earning acclaim for his performances.

English musician, Mick Jones, Foreigner's founding member, lauded Maldonado's contributions, stating, "Luis was my choice as a guitarist, and he has already shown us what he can do on lead vocals by fronting the band in South America to incredible reviews. He will soon lead the charge that will carry us forward to new heights."

In addition to his live performances, Maldonado recently collaborated with Mexican singer-songwriter Joy Huerta on a Spanish-language rendition of Foreigner's 1984 hit "I Want to Know What Love Is," titled "Quiero Saber Si Es Amor." The duet, released earlier this month on May 15, 2025, marks the band's first official foray into Spanish-language recordings, reflecting their appreciation for Latin American fans.

Foreigner, formed in 1976, has undergone several lineup changes over the years. With Hansen's departure, the current lineup includes Mick Jones, Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein, Bruce Watson, Chris Frazier, and Luis Maldonado. The band is preparing for its 50th anniversary in 2026, with plans for a celebratory tour and a documentary chronicling their storied history.

For the past 50 years, they've had multiple hits like 'Feels Like the First Time,' 'I Want to Know What Love Is,' 'Cold as Ice,' and 'Jukebox Hero.' With 80 million records sold worldwide and their 1982 greatest hits compilation, 'Records,' being certified 7x platinum, they have been cemented as one of the best-selling bands of all time.

You can watch the band's final performance with Hansen here.