Legendary vocalist Lou Gramm, a newly minted 2024 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and the iconic voice behind FOREIGNER, has unveiled details surrounding his highly anticipated solo album, "Released." In a recent interview with Barry Robinson of Classic Album Review, Gramm discussed the culmination of this project, set to arrive on March 27, 2026. The album will be available on CD through HNE Recordings / Cherry Red Records and on vinyl via Friday Music, signifying the long-awaited completion of a significant era in Gramm’s solo career. Produced by Gramm himself, with Matthew Gramm serving as associate producer, "Released" features ten original songs. These tracks were co-written with longtime collaborator and former BLACK SHEEP bandmate Bruce Turgon, and were originally recorded in the 1980s, in the wake of Gramm’s successful solo albums "Ready Or Not" (1987) and "Long Hard Look" (1989). The newly completed recordings meticulously preserve the authentic warmth, grit, and analog character of their initial sessions, enhanced by a revitalized clarity and sonic depth. This approach effectively bridges Gramm’s celebrated solo period with the mature perspective and enduring vocal power that have cemented his status as one of rock’s most influential and recognizable figures.
The Genesis of "Released": Unearthing Lost Gems
Lou Gramm shared the intimate details of "Released"’s creation, explaining that the album represents the resurrection of songs that were nearly complete during the recording periods for his 1987 and 1989 solo efforts. "My solo albums, which came out in 1987 and ’89, we had 10 songs on each album, but actually had about 15 songs written, and they were in various forms of being finished," Gramm stated. "But after we picked the songs for the album, I was gnawed by the fact that there was so many good songs that didn’t make it to the album and deserved to be released."
This feeling of unfinished business spurred Gramm to revisit these unreleased tracks. "So when I started to come about doing this album, I went back and listened to those unfinished songs and picked the best ones," he continued. "And some of ’em needed a lead guitar, some of ’em needed a third verse. I started finishing them all. And it was a very cathartic process to hear them as a lot of potential to being done. And it felt great to hear them finished." The concept of a final solo album began to solidify. "And that’s when I came upon the idea of doing one last solo album. I think there might be one or two freshly written songs, and the rest of ’em are songs from the ‘Ready Or Not’ album and the ‘Long Hard Look’ album, that, like I said, weren’t quite finished, but the ideas were very good."
Gramm elaborated on the meticulous process of bringing these songs to fruition. "So I went back and put the third verse in and put the guitar lead in and mixed it and mastered it. And that’s what all these songs on this album were – almost done, but now they’re finished," he explained. "Some of ’em were complete except for a third verse. Some of ’em needed a guitar lead. Some of ’em needed percussion. Every song was well along, and it just needed one or two things to make it finished. And that was cathartic for me to go back and do that."
A Cathartic Journey Through Time and Sound
The act of revisiting and completing these recordings after more than three and a half decades held significant emotional weight for Gramm. When asked about the cathartic nature of this endeavor, he reflected, "Because when I went back to hear them after all these years, I remember recording them and remember the feel of starting the song, what the idea was, and not finishing it and having it sit around for all these years was – it was just a little troubling to me."
This lingering sense of incompletion fueled his motivation. "So when I decided to do this album, I was excited about going back and taking those ideas and finishing them up," Gramm shared. "Some needed a vocal, some needed a harmony, some needed a lead guitar, and so I went back and finished ’em all." This personal connection to the original recordings, coupled with the satisfaction of finally bringing them to completion, imbued the project with a profound sense of closure and artistic fulfillment.
A Stellar Lineup of Collaborators
"Released" not only showcases Gramm’s enduring talent but also features an impressive roster of musicians who contributed to its realization. Produced by Lou Gramm himself, the album includes contributions from renowned artists such as Tony Franklin, who lays down the bassline on the track "Long Gone." Vivian Campbell of DEF LEPPARD lends his distinctive guitar work to the opening track, "Young Love." Longtime collaborators also feature prominently, including Lou’s brother, Ben Gramm, on drums, underscoring the deeply personal and collaborative spirit of the project.
Lou Gramm: A Legacy Forged in Rock History
Born and raised in Rochester, New York, Lou Gramm’s musical journey began within a highly musical family. His early career saw him forming BLACK SHEEP, a band whose two albums for Capitol Records have since achieved cult status among rock aficionados. A pivotal meeting with guitarist Mick Jones in 1975 laid the groundwork for the formation of FOREIGNER the following year. This collaboration launched a career that would yield a string of multi-platinum albums and enduring hit singles, solidifying FOREIGNER’s place in rock and roll history. Notably, FOREIGNER achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the first band since THE BEATLES to have their first eight singles reach the U.S. Top 20, a testament to their immediate and widespread appeal.
Gramm’s solo career has also been marked by significant success. His 1987 album "Ready Or Not" spawned the hit single "Midnight Blue," and his 1989 follow-up, "Long Hard Look," featured the popular track "Just Between You And Me." The release of "Released" marks his third solo studio album, serving as a capstone to this vital chapter of his independent artistry, standing proudly alongside his earlier solo works and his seminal recordings with FOREIGNER.
"Released" Tracklist and Significance
The complete track listing for "Released" is as follows:
- Young Love
- Lightning Strikes
- Walk The Walk
- Long Gone
- Heart And Soul
- Long Hard Look
- True Blue Love (Unplugged)
- Deeper Side of Love
- Time Heals The Pain
- Word Gets Around
The album also includes "True Blue Love (Unplugged)," an acoustic rendition of a song that originally appeared on "Long Hard Look." This inclusion further emphasizes the thematic throughline of "Released" as a project that revisits and reinterprets past creative endeavors. The album’s release is poised to resonate with fans who have followed Gramm’s career through its various phases, offering a fresh perspective on his songwriting prowess and vocal mastery.
A Career Spanning Decades and Genres
Lou Gramm’s prolific career extends beyond his work with FOREIGNER and his initial solo endeavors. By the time he first departed from FOREIGNER in 1990, he had already established a significant solo presence with "Ready Or Not" and "Long Hard Look." Following this, he formed the LOU GRAMM BAND, which explored a more spiritual direction with an all-Christian rock album released in 2009, followed by "My Baby" in 2015.
In the early 1990s, Gramm also collaborated with Vivian Campbell in the project SHADOW KING. This collaboration resulted in a self-titled album released in 1991 and a memorable live performance at the Astoria Theatre in London on December 13, 1991.
Gramm’s unmistakable voice is etched into the fabric of rock music, having fronted FOREIGNER on their most iconic hits. These include anthems like "Feels Like The First Time" and "Cold as Ice" from the band’s 1977 self-titled debut, as well as later chart-toppers such as "Hot Blooded" and the power ballad "I Want to Know What Love Is."
FOREIGNER’s Enduring Legacy and Gramm’s Continued Involvement
FOREIGNER’s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2024 marked a significant milestone, and Gramm has continued to engage with his former bandmates in various capacities. He has been featured as a guest vocalist on some of FOREIGNER’s biggest hits during the band’s ongoing tour. In these appearances, he shares the stage with Luis Maldonado, who assumed lead vocal duties after longtime frontman Kelly Hansen.
FOREIGNER underwent a significant lineup change in 2005 when Gramm was replaced by Hansen. Guitarist Mick Jones, the sole remaining original member of FOREIGNER, has faced health challenges, including heart surgery in 2012. In February 2024, Jones disclosed on social media that he is battling Parkinson’s disease, which has led to his absence from FOREIGNER’s live performances since 2022.
Despite these shifts, Gramm’s connection to FOREIGNER remains strong. He contributed vocals and lyrics to the new song "Turning Back The Time," released to coincide with the band’s 2024 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. Furthermore, he provided vocals for the previously unreleased track "Fool If You Love Him," which was included in the 2025 box set release of FOREIGNER’s seminal album "4."
Touring and Future Prospects
In support of the "Released" album, Lou Gramm is scheduled to embark on an extensive tour throughout 2026. These dates will include both solo performances and special appearances with FOREIGNER, offering fans multiple opportunities to experience his legendary voice live. The release of "Released" is not merely an album; it represents a significant artistic resolution for Lou Gramm, allowing him to share a collection of powerful, nearly complete songs from a defining period of his solo career, finally brought to their intended sonic realization. The project stands as a testament to his enduring creative spirit and his commitment to delivering high-quality rock music.
The context of this release is particularly poignant given FOREIGNER’s recent Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction. This honor, bestowed upon a band whose legacy is inextricably linked to Gramm’s voice, amplifies the significance of "Released." It allows fans to connect with a deeper, more personal aspect of Gramm’s musical evolution, bridging the gap between his foundational work with FOREIGNER and his independent artistic explorations. The careful remastering and completion of these 1980s recordings, imbued with the clarity and depth of modern production, promise a listening experience that is both nostalgic and remarkably fresh, appealing to long-time admirers and new listeners alike. The fact that these songs were nearly finished over three decades ago, only to be brought to completion now, speaks to the enduring quality of the songwriting and the artistic drive that compelled Gramm to see them through. The album’s release is poised to be a significant event in the rock music calendar, offering a compelling narrative of artistic perseverance and the fulfillment of creative potential.