As a frontrunner to the 50th anniversary for Rock & Roll Hall of Famers FOREIGNER, the band is excited to announce the September 12 release of extensive super deluxe editions of its 1981 smash multi-Platinum album, 4.
Recorded at the famed Electric Lady Studios in New York City alongside respected music producer Mutt Lange (Def Leppard, AC/DC), FOREIGNER 4 DELUXE will be available in black vinyl and various other formats on September 12 via Rhino. The release will encompass newly remastered Stereo or ATMOS versions, and a five-disc CD/Blu-ray package that includes a booklet containing over 60 exclusive photos, five previously unreleased songs, 14 early and alternate versions of various songs, 15 instrumentals, and 15 live performances from across the globe, spanning the band’s 1981 and 1982 “4” world tour. The digital deluxe release will also contain alternate versions, instrumentals, and live performances from the era.
Originally released July 2, 1981, 4 spent more weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts than any artist in the history of Atlantic Records, including AC/DC, The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, and went on to sell more than ten million albums worldwide. 4 is certified 6x Platinum in the U.S. (RIAA), 4x Platinum in Canada (Music Canada), Platinum in Australia (ARIA) and Germany (BVMI), and Gold in 7 additional countries. It spawned three Billboard Hot 100 singles: “Waiting For A Girl Like You”, “Urgent”, and “Juke Box Hero.” “Foreigner 4”, as it’s often referred to, is the fourth studio album by the legendary British-American rock band released during a time of transition as they famously went from six members to four.
Mick Jones noted: “Recording our fourth album took the better part of two years. It was something that just had to be right and I truly believe that Mutt Lange, Lou, Rick, Dennis, and I accomplished something very special. This package, and particularly the stunning Atmos mixes present a spectacular culmination of one of the most exciting periods of my life.”
To coincide with the deluxe package release, FOREIGNER—Luis Maldonado (lead vocals/guitar), Jeff Pilson (bass), Michael Bluestein(keyboards), Bruce Watson (guitars), Chris Frazier (drums) will celebrate half a century of music with a new round of headlining tour dates which will include original lead singer Lou Gramm guesting on some of the songs he helped create almost forty-five years ago. The upcoming Foreigner 4 Deluxe Tour signals yet another important transition for the band as these new dates will be the first major US shows featuring FOREIGNER’s Luis Maldonado on lead vocals. On the season finale of The Voice, it was announced that this year’s Summer tour would be the last for Kelly Hansen. You can view their showstopping live performance and Kelly’s heartfelt farewell message HERE. Tickets for the “Foreigner 4 Deluxe” Tour are available HERE.
Of the transition, Luis Maldonado had this to say: “Earlier this year, we toured Mexico and South America with the incredible Lou Gramm. We all had such a fantastic time performing and being together, and it’s with that same excitement I look forward to working with Lou again. He was an integral part of the writing and recording of the Foreigner 4 album and his presence will add a historic dimension to our forthcoming tour.”
Released in 1977, FOREIGNER‘s debut album produced the hits “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice” and “Long, Long Way From Home.” The albums Double Vision and Head Games followed with more hits including “Hot Blooded”, “Blue Morning, Blue Day” and “Dirty White Boy”. Then came “Urgent,” “Juke Box Hero” and “Waiting For A Girl Like You.” Those songs helped give FOREIGNER‘s next album, 4, its impressive 10-week run at #1 on the Billboard chart. At the zenith of ‘80s sound, FOREIGNER‘s fifth album, AGENT PROVOCATEUR, gave the world the incredible #1 global hit,” I Want To Know What Love Is.” This musical milestone followed the record-breaking song “Waiting For A Girl Like You.”
