Kelly Hansen is leaving Foreigner. And yet—somehow—it doesn’t feel like an ending. It feels like a new begninning and a bridge to something new.
After 20 years of belting out “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Cold As Ice” with spine-tingling precision, Hansen announced during the Voice season finale that he’ll step away following the band’s 2025 summer tour. But true to the spirit of rock and roll, he isn’t dropping the mic—he’s passing it. Enter guitarist-turned-frontman Luis Maldonado, who already has the voice, energy, and soul to carry the torch into the next chapter.
And this is where things get interesting.
Because in 2024, when a frontman leaves a band, it doesn’t always mean goodbye. It might just mean… see you next tour.
The old model—where a band breaks up, reforms once for a reunion tour, then disappears again—is fading. In its place? A new kind of forever: one fueled by nostalgia, evolving lineups, and fans who never want the music to stop.
With the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify, the archive of music is constantly at our fingertips. YouTube makes even the most obscure live performances immortal. And fans—whether 17 or 70—are showing up in droves to see the hits they grew up with, no matter who’s behind the mic.
This used to mean a continuation with disastrous results, a sing of desperation, but no more. It’s the idea that a band can become bigger than its founding members. It’s living proof that rock and roll might not just never die… it might also never retire.
The trend is real, and Foreigner isn’t alone. Here are 10 bands still touring (and thriving!) with rotating or legacy-based lineups:
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Foreigner – Soon to be fronted by Luis Maldonado, with founder Mick Jones offering guidance from behind the scenes.
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Lynyrd Skynyrd – With the Van Zant legacy continuing and a fan base that still sings every word of “Free Bird.”
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Quiet Riot – Drummer Frankie Banali’s wish was for the band to continue after his passing—and it has.
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The Guess Who – No original members left for a number of tours, but Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings have returned to proudly flying the Canadian classic rock flag.
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Yes – Members have rotated in and out, but the band keeps building on its prog-rock legacy.
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The Little River Band – Touring actively without original members—but with permission and the songs fans love.
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Blood, Sweat & Tears – Known for its revolving door of musicians, the music remains the star.
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The Temptations – With founder Otis Williams steering the ship, the harmonies live on.
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Blackfoot – Now made up entirely of younger musicians hand-picked to carry the sound forward.
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The Drifters – Possibly the blueprint for this model, with dozens of members over the decades.
So…Do bands ever really end anymore? Maybe not. Maybe rock bands are becoming like symphony orchestras—where personnel can change, but the music remains constant. Maybe it’s not about who was there in 1975… but who can channel the soul of it in 2025.
And maybe, just maybe, Kelly Hansen stepping down from Foreigner isn’t a final act. It’s just another encore—played by someone new, but sung with the same fire.
Because as long as someone wants to hear it live… the band will always be ready to play.