Happy Birthday today (Dec. 27) to Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones (74). Also celebrating is King's X drummer Jerry Gaskill (61).
As of 2018, Mick Jones remains the only original member in the current line up of Foreigner. Before Foreigner, Mick Jones was a member of the band Spooky Tooth. He formed Foreigner in 1976 with Ian McDonald and they recruited singer Lou Gramm. In addition to Foreigner, Jones is a producer who has worked on many big albums including Van Halen’s 5150 and Billy Joel’s Storm Front. He also co-wrote the song “Bad Love” with Eric Clapton for Clapton’s Journeyman album. Foreigner are among the world’s best selling rock band’s with sales of over 80 million worldwide. Their career started with the successful self-titled debut album released in 1977 with hits like “Feels Like the First Time”, Cold as Ice”, and “Long, Long Way from Home”. The album Double Vision followed in 1978, Head Games in 1979. and the worldwide smash Foreigner 4 in 1981. More albums and success would follow throughout the 1980’s. Foreigner remains a popular touring act with singer Kelly Hansen on lead vocals. The band celebrated it's 40th anniversary with a tour last year that played the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie. Cheers to Mick Jones on his birthday today!
Photo credit: Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images