Lou Gramm
Vocalist Lou Gramm (b. Lou Grammatico, 2 May 1950, Rochester, New York, USA) possesses one of the great hard rock voices, and rose from small beginnings with Poor Heart and Black Sheep to fame and fortune with Foreigner. After the enormous success of AGENT PROVOCATEUR, however, Gramm's desire for more upbeat guitar-based songs led him to write solo material with bassist friend Bruce Turgon. READY OR NOT was a satisfying solo debut, proving that Gramm could produce classy AOR material without Foreigner cohort Mick Jones, and produced a surprise hit in Midnight Blue. Gramm returned to the Foreigner fold for INSIDE INFORMATION, but solo success had only increased the tension between Jones and the vocalist, and a split was inevitable. Gramm and Turgon worked together again on LONG HARD LOOK, producing another US hit in Just Between You And Me, and Gramm's departure from Foreigner was confirmed as he embarked on a solo US tour, with Jones drafting in former Wild Horses (USA) vocalist Johnny Edwards for UNUSUAL HEAT, which ironically returned to the harder style which Gramm had been missing. Gramm subsequently put together the ill-fated Shadow King with Turgon, drummer Kevin Valentine and ex- Dio/Whitesnake guitarist Vivian Campbell, which barely lasted beyond their first album and live show before Campbell left to replace the late Steve Clark in Def Leppard and Valentine joined Cinderella. However, Gramm and Jones eventually put their differences behind them, and the vocalist rejoined Foreigner, taking Turgon along with him.