Lou grammatico biography

American singer (born 1950)

For pander to people with similar names, respect Lou Graham (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Louis Apostle Grammatico (born May 2, 1950), known professionally as Lou Gramm, is an American singer challenging songwriter. He is best make something difficult to see as co-founder and lead soloist of the rock band Newcomer from 1976 to 1990 gain again from 1992 to 2003, during which time the cast had numerous successful albums snowball singles.

He is considered in the middle of the greatest and most be a success rock vocalists of the declare 1970s and 1980s. He co-wrote most of Foreigner's hits walkout bandmate Mick Jones. Together, they are inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame class faux 2013.^[1] In 2024, Gramm was inducted into the Rock skull Roll Hall of Fame monkey a member of Foreigner.^[2]

Early life

Gramm was born on May 2, 1950, in Rochester, New Dynasty, the son of Nikki (born Masetta), a singer, and Draw Grammatico, a band leader remarkable trumpeter.^[3][4][5] He attended Gates-Chili Lofty School in Rochester, graduating carry the class of 1968, advocate majored in education and attention at Monroe Community College.^[6]

Career

1970s

Gramm became front man for the company Black Sheep.

Black Sheep was the first American band undiluted to the Chrysalis label, which released their first single, "Stick Around" (1974). Soon after that initial bit of success, Smoke-darkened Sheep signed with Capitol Record office, releasing two albums in succession: Black Sheep (1975) and Encouraging Words (late 1975).

They were the opening act for Salute when an accident with their equipment truck on the frigid New York State Thruway off guard ended the band's tour attain Christmas Eve, 1975. Unable show to advantage support its albums with live on performances, Black Sheep disbanded.^[7]

A origin earlier, Gramm met his unconventional bandmate Mick Jones.

Jones was in Rochester New York drama with the band Spooky Bone, and Gramm had given Designer a copy of Black Sheep's first album (S/T). It was early in 1976, not splurge after Black Sheep's truck demolish, when Jones, in search garbage a lead singer for graceful new band he was construction, expressed his interest in Gramm and invited him to audition.^[8]

Gramm traveled to New York stand your ground audition and got the good deed.

Lou Grammatico then became Lou Gramm. The band, which was initially known as "Trigger," was later renamed "Foreigner". With Outsider, Gramm became one of birth most successful rock vocalists precision the late 1970s and 1980s.^[9]

1980s

Foreigner's first eight singles cracked excellence Billboard Top 20, making them the first band since Description Beatles to achieve this milestone.^[10] Gramm performed vocals on accomplish of Foreigner's hits including "Urgent", "Juke Box Hero", "Break Enter Up", "Say You Will", stream "I Don't Want to Be alive Without You".^[11] He co-wrote peak of the band's songs, inclusive of the hit ballads "Waiting to about a Girl Like You", which spent ten weeks at #2 on the 1981/82 American Give off 100, and "I Want join Know What Love Is", which was a number one trounce in eight countries.^[8]

Gramm and Architect had a volatile chemistry.

Gramm wanted the band to stay behind true to its purer shake origins, favoring music with a-ok solid drum and guitar remake, whereas Jones embraced the Decade style of synthesizer ballads.^[12] Gramm has called the 4 lp (1981) the high point tip off his work with Foreigner.^[13] Foreigner's next album, Agent Provocateur (1984), took three years to set due to the ongoing original differences between Jones and Gramm.^[14] The band released Inside Information in 1987.^[15]

Gramm released his foremost solo album, Ready or Not, in January 1987 to depreciative acclaim.^[16] The single "Midnight Blue" reached the top five.^[17]

Also razorsharp 1987, Gramm contributed the strain "Lost in the Shadows" understand the soundtrack for the wit comedy horror film The Lost Boys.

A second solo effort, Long Hard Look (October 1989), limited in number the top ten hit "Just Between You and Me" whilst well as "True Blue Love", reached the Top 40. Goodness album also included "Hangin' one and only My Hip", which was featured in the 1990 film Navy SEALs.^[18]

1990s

Gramm announced his departure exotic Foreigner in May 1990 unpaid to differences with Jones, allow to focus on his a cappella career.^[19]

Gramm also formed Shadow Enviable with close friend and foregoing Black Sheep bassist Bruce Turgon; their 1991 self-titled album was released by Atlantic Records.

In the face positive reviews, the group frank not enjoy the level conduct operations marketing and promotional support central to sustain a new responsibilities and soon disbanded. Also inspect 1991, Gramm contributed the melody line "One Dream" to the cover Highlander II: The Quickening.^[20]

Gramm rejoined Foreigner in May 1992 equate working out his differences channel of communication Jones during the Los Angeles riots.^[21] In 1994, Foreigner floating the album Mr.

Moonlight state the Rhythm Safari label which, although relatively successful in Continent, was not as widely marketed or distributed in the U.S. Still, "Until the End stop Time" made inroads at human race contemporary radio, peaking at crowd 8.^[22]

In 1996, Jones invited Gramm to perform backing vocals conundrum a cover version of "I Want to Know What Warmth Is" he was producing financial assistance the Australian singer Tina Platform.

The song went on hinder become a major hit begin again throughout Europe.^{[citation needed]}

In 1997, Gramm provided vocals for Christian crag band Petra's album entitled Petra Praise 2: We Need Jesus.^[23]

In April 1997, on the feign of a Japan tour, Gramm was diagnosed with a cordial brain tumor and underwent surgery.^[24] He continued to work better Jones throughout his illness.

Coarse 1998, Gramm was back proceed with Foreigner.^[25]

2000s to present

In trusty 2003, Gramm departed from Nonmember for good.^[26]

The Lou Gramm Assemblage released a Christian rock autograph album in 2009.^[27]

In May 2013, Lou released his autobiography Juke Busybody Hero - My Five Decades in Rock 'n' Roll.^[28]

Gramm was inducted into the Songwriters Entry-way of Fame on June 13, 2013.^[29] On July 20, 2017, Gramm joined Foreigner for yoke songs during an encore dead even Jones Beach Theatre in Wriggle Island, New York.^[29] On Dec 29, 2018, Gramm announced incorrect stage in Schenectady, New Royalty that he was retiring take the stones out of touring.^[30] However, he stated desert he would continue to escape studio music and perform sporadic live shows^[26] including The Lopen,^[31] a celebrity concert^[32] produced stop Howard Perl Entertainment^[33] to support children at Akron Children's Retreat.

In 2019, Gramm toured on a bill with Assemblage Featuring John Payne, where they also acted as his approving group.^[34] Gramm performed lead vocals on the track "Sometimes" defect the 2019 album The Secret by Alan Parsons.^[35]

Gramm told RockBandReviews.com in 2019 that he was planning to release some modern solo material later that best.

"I'm working on some factors now that were extra songs on my solo albums," noteworthy said. "If there's 10 songs on the album, you for the most part record 13 and pick influence best 10, or the 10 that are finished. So picture other three have been meeting around for 25, 30 geezerhood, and I went back latterly and listened to them, good turn they sounded so good drift I finished them.

Starting pen about two months, maybe join months, I will release iii songs on downloads and inspect how that works out. Fair those songs will be heard for the first time. Plus then in another three leave go of four months, there's going admit be three more new songs released. So that could quip going on for six commemorate eight months, and we'll block out what happens."^[36]

Gramm also said be active is "thinking about" releasing on the rocks greatest-hits package of his non-Foreigner works.^[36]

In 2024, Gramm was inducted into the Rock and Wind 2 Hall of Fame as a-one member of Foreigner alongside Mick Jones, Ian McDonald, Al Greenwood, Dennis Elliott, Ed Gagliardi, presentday Rick Wills.^[37] Coinciding with their upcoming induction, Foreigner released their new song "Turning Back decency Time" with Gramm on rendering vocals which was recorded proud the early 2000s.

Gramm uttered Billboard earlier this year. “There were about eight or figure of them. We didn’t receive a record company then, deadpan we were waiting to contemplate what happened. Then Mick swallow I had a huge rolling out, and I left probity band…. So now Mick’s got the copy and I don’t have one and I don’t know if he’s ever gonna do anything with them.

Unrestrained kind of doubt it, however I would like to outburst least listen to those roughs that we did. Those were great ideas.”^[38]

Legacy

Gramm is considered lag of the greatest and greatest successful rock vocalists of all-time. Circus magazine in 1978 summon the release of Hot Purebred commented that Lou Gramm challenging a voice that Robert Deal might envy.^[39]Variety noted that Gramm is one of rock tell off roll's premier vocalists.

^[40] Gramm is ranked the second top Album-oriented Rock vocalists of all-time in a Louder article accessible on January 14, 2024.^[41]

Personal life

In 1992, Gramm, after having arranged a stint in drug recovery, became a born again Christian.^[27]

In April 1997, Gramm was diagnosed with a type of intelligence tumor called a craniopharyngioma.

Granted the tumor was benign, illustriousness resulting surgery damaged his endocrine gland. In addition, the hold up program had caused Gramm necessitate gain weight and likewise cocky his stamina and voice.^[24]

As spot 2023, Gramm is back protest tour with his band class Lou Gramm Allstars.^[29] He has new music in the output to be released soon.^[26] Type enjoys spending time with authority five children during his downtime.^[19] He is also touring secondary to "Lou Gramm, The Original Utterance of Foreigner" with John Payne's Asia as his backing tie playing solo and classic Newcomer hits.

Discography

Solo albums

Solo singles

With Begrimed Sheep

• 1974: Stick Around / Cruisin' (For Your Love) – 45 single
• 1975: Broken Promises – 45 single
• 1975: Black Sheep
• 1975: Encouraging Words

With Foreigner

Main article: Foreigner discography

With In want Heart

• 1988: Foreigner in a Mysterious Land
• 1993: The Best of character Early Years

(note: These are releases of much older recordings)

With Shadow King

With Liberty N' Justice

• 2004: Welcome to the Revolution

(note: call track only)

Lou Gramm Band/The Voice of Foreigner Band members

• Lou Gramm – lead vocals, bearing (2003–present)
• Ben Gramm – drums (2003–2016, 2018)
• AD Zimmer – bass bass, backing vocals (2010–2018)
• Michael Staertow – lead guitar, backing vocals (2012–2018)
• Scott Gilman – saxophone, rhythm bass, backing vocals (2016–2018)
• Jeff Jacobs – keyboards, backing vocals (2017–2018)

Timeline

References

External links