NEW YORK — This month, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame rectifies a wrong that many rock fans will celebrate with their lighters up in the air — the band Foreigner will finally be welcomed in. The English-American rockers — with hits like “Cold as Ice,” “Hot Blooded” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You” — topped the charts in the 1970s and ‘80s but never made it into the hall — much less a ballot — until last year, despite being eligible for more than 20 years. “It’s just been a long wait and I know that we’ve done enough in our career to warrant induction,” says Al Greenwood, keyboardist and a founding member.
“I’m not bitter about it. I mean, we’re finally getting in and that’s great.” Foreigner, led by singer Lou Gramm and guitarist Mick Jones, recorded nine Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and six Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200, including “4,” which spent 10 weeks in the top spot in 1981.
Foreigner were nominated for three Grammys and their songs have been heard on everything “Miami Vice” and “The Simpsons” to “Arrested Development” and “Stranger Things.” Tone-Loc sampled “Hot Blooded” to create “Funky Cold Medina.” “We weren’t the best looking band in the world.
We weren’t the most dress-conscious band in the world. But Mick and Lou came up with some very, very strong songs and that’s what’s kept it going,” bassist Rick Wills says. “Sixteen top 30 hits isn’t too shabby.
” The belate.
