Luis Maldanado, far-left, will take the place of Kelly Hansen as the band Foreigner’s lead singer in October. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band will perform at the annual Summer Bash in Gibson City on Saturday, Aug. 16. Foreigner has 16 Top 30 hits: “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Waiting for A Girl Like You,” “Double Vision,” “Hot Blooded,” “Urgent,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “I Don’t Want to Live Without You,” “Say You Will,” “Cold as Ice,” “That Was Yesterday,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Head Games,” “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Long, Long Way from Home,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Break It Up.” Publicity photo provided
GIBSON CITY — Gibson City’s annual Summer Bash concert on Saturday, Aug. 16, will feature the famed rock band Foreigner performing many of its classic hits, such as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold as Ice.” Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2024, Foreigner is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.
Although the last original touring member of Foreigner — Mick Jones — retired due to illness in 2023, the band is touring extensively this year with its current lineup of talent. Longtime member Kelly Hansen will be the band’s lead singer until October, when guitarist Luis Maldonado will take the lead. Bassist Jeff Pilson, guitarist Bruce Watson, keyboardist Micahel Bluestein and drummer Chris Frazier complete the lineup to be performing in Gibson City as part of the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Celebration Tour.
The Chronicle’s Mindy Basi had the opportunity to talk with Maldonado on the phone in early August. Maldonado — a vocalist, guitarist and song writer with a prolific catalogue of music has — been with Foreigner for the past five years. Before joining Foreigner, he played with UFO, Lisa Marie Presley, John Waite, Glenn Hughes, Bigelf and, most recently, Train. He also fronted his own band, In the Presence.
Following is the give-andtake:
Basi: What led up to you taking the role of lead singer for Foreigner?
Maldonado: It was really an organic process — one of discovery for everyone involved
— and it all unfolded naturally. I never expected it. I love everyone in the band. It was a real trajectory. I said, ‘There is work here to do, and who is going to do it? I want to keep going.’ I can play, and sing the high stuff. It’s a change of the guard. I expected some resistance from the fans, but I was met with open arms. This has been an amazing part of my life. The band is like a brotherhood for us. When we played on ‘The Voice’ or at the Rock Hall when we were inducted, we were one being. It’s a high level of (musical) people, but also we are very human with each other.”
Basi: What is it like taking on the role of frontman for such an iconic band?
Maldonado: There is a large demand to hear the songs live. The songs are bigger than one particular person. The songs carry on — they have a legacy. We are introducing the band to a new generation of people that are waking up to Foreigner. There is a new age demographic at the shows. There’s something here we have to pay attention to. It’s powerful music, and we never take it for granted. I love this music, and if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t play it. There is so much more work to do with the band. There are songs in the vault that haven’t been played, songs that haven’t been finished. We are growing.”
Basi: What is your favorite Foreigner song to perform?
Maldonado: It’s hard to pick a favorite. The band had over 17 songs in the Top 20. I love all the songs — how they are heartfelt and interesting, and they bring out grand emotions. I never get tired of them, and they have a life of their own.”
Basi: What is your background in music?
Maldonado: I grew up in a musical family. My parents are musicians, as are my brothers. My wife is a professional cellist. I started in classical music and played in an orchestra. I have only worked as a musician and known a musical life. Musicians are just messengers, connecting people. We have a greater purpose. I am aware of the power of music and how it connects people. The energy of music feeds people, and we become one entity through music. All music is on a frequency, and it affects us.”
Going to Saturday’s show? Here’s what you need to know
When does the concert start? Foreigner is expected to take the stage next to City Hall around 9 p.m., performing until 10:30 or 11 p.m. Opening for Foreigner starting around 7:30 p.m. will be John Waite, whose career as a musical artist spans 40 years, both as a solo artist and with The Baby’s and Bad English.
Will Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley choir students be on stage? Yes. The Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School Choir will be singing with Foreigner on stage, performing the band’s hit “I Want to Know What Love Is.” Foreigner is donating $500 to the high school’s choir program.
Is there a charge to get in?
Yes. Unlike past Summer Bash concerts, the Aug. 16 show will not allow free general admission. Rather, there will be a $10 general admission fee, payable at the gate or in advance at www.gahhssummerbash.com.
With the addition of the general admission fee, there will no longer be a $10 charge for a wristband allowing the purchase of alcohol. Instead, there will be no wristband fee for alcohol, with patrons only required to pay $5 for each drink they purchase from the two beer tents on hand — one run by the Gibson City Harvest Fest Committee and the other by the GCMS Athletic Booster Club.
Besides general admission, the Summer
Bash is selling party-pit tickets for $60 and — for the first time — VIP tent tickets for $250, as well. The VIP tickets allow access to both the party pit closest to the stage as well as the VIP tent and its air-conditioned bathrooms. There will be food and drinks provided to those in the VIP tent.
Any other items of note?
A number of other food vendors will be on hand, as well. Concert-goers are welcome to bring their own lawn chairs, but the area where they will be allowed is being pushed back from the stage this year, behind both the party pit and an open area where only standing is permitted. No outside food or drinks will be allowed at the concert.