FOREIGNER frontman Kelly Hansen brought an emotional close to his two-decade career with the iconic rock band during their October 11 concert in Atlantic City. The show marked the end of an era — one that saw Hansen fronting the group for 20 years, delivering powerful vocals that helped keep Foreigner’s music alive for a new generation of fans.
The touching farewell was captured in a fan-filmed video posted on YouTube, where Hansen took several moments between songs to thank the many people who supported him throughout his career. His speech, heartfelt and personal, reflected on the people who made his journey possible — from the crew and management to the fans who have followed Foreigner for decades.
A Heartfelt Goodbye to the Crew and Team
Before stepping off stage for the final time, Hansen addressed the audience with visible emotion, phone in hand as he read his prepared notes.
“Thank you. Thank you very much. I just wanna take a couple of minutes… And I had to bring my phone out with me so I could look at my notes,” Hansen said. “I just wanna do one group hug. Secondly, I just wanna thank the crew. There are many people who, every day, drive long hours in the middle of the night to get here very early in the morning to set up this gear, to set up these lights to make us look and sound as good as we possibly can.”
The Foreigner frontman made sure to shine a light on the hardworking road crew — the unsung heroes who make live tours possible. His acknowledgment reflected a deep appreciation for the dedication required to keep a massive production running smoothly night after night.
Praising the Management Team and Phil Carson
From there, Hansen turned his attention to Foreigner’s management team, particularly Phil Carson and Stewart Young, who have been instrumental in the band’s success over the years. His tone shifted from gratitude to humor, sharing anecdotes that revealed the camaraderie and creative clashes behind the scenes.
“Phil Carson’s over here. He’s English. And many times we’ve clashed because he wants to do some crazy bullshit thing and I have to call him out and I have to say, ‘No, we can’t do it.’ And he’s still here. This man is a f-cking juggernaut and he’s 80 years old and he’s a motherf-cker,” Hansen continued. “Along with Merrie Hart and Stewart, they’ve just done amazing things for this band over 20 years.”
Despite the colorful language, Hansen’s words were filled with admiration for Carson’s relentless drive and the entire team’s contributions. His praise underscored the mutual respect built over two decades of collaboration, even when creative differences arose.
A Tribute to the Fans
Hansen then turned his focus to the people who kept Foreigner’s flame alive — the fans. His gratitude extended beyond the typical “thank you” speech, as he emphasized the special bond between artists and the audience that supports them.
“If I could even string together the number of times that I’ve had experiences with fans — or I don’t like to call you guys fans; I like to call you guys people who love music, appreciate music. My whole life, since I was 17, it’s been great people who come to shows. Thank you for that,” he said.
For Hansen, the fans weren’t just spectators; they were part of his lifelong journey through music. His heartfelt words reflected decades of shared memories, from small clubs to sold-out arenas.
A Personal Milestone: Love and Gratitude
In one of the most touching moments of the evening, Hansen opened up about his personal life, revealing a major milestone that deeply impacted him.
“I wanna thank my wife. [She] changed my life. I got married for the first time at 59 years old,” he shared.
The revelation drew cheers from the crowd, highlighting the warmth and authenticity that Hansen has always brought to the stage. For many in attendance, this moment made the farewell even more personal — a reminder that behind the rock star persona was a man reflecting on love, growth, and gratitude.
Reflecting on Nearly Five Decades in Music
As his speech came to a close, Hansen took a moment to reflect on his remarkable career — one that has spanned nearly 50 years. From his early beginnings to fronting one of rock’s most successful bands, Hansen expressed pride and humility in equal measure.
“I’ve been in this business, I think, about 48, 49 years. I put in my time. I spent 20 years with this fantastic band singing a catalog of songs that a singer couldn’t dream of. And thank you,” Hansen said.
His closing words resonated deeply with fans and bandmates alike. After two decades of performing classics like I Want to Know What Love Is, Cold as Ice, and Juke Box Hero, Hansen’s farewell
