The founding member has been performing with the band very sparingly over the last few years
Over the last decade, founding Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones has performed very sparingly with the band. While on tour, Jones would typically join the group for a select few songs during the show. While it was assumed the restricted schedule was due to health reasons, Jones has now confirmed that he has been battling Parkinson’s disease.
“Fans will have become very aware that for some time now, I have not been performing onstage with the band. A number of years ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. I want everyone to know that I am doing alright, however, l’ve always liked to be at my best when performing onstage, and sadly at present find that a bit difficult. I’m still very much involved in the background with Foreigner and remain a presence. Parkinson’s is a daily struggle; several of my friends are also dealing with the disease. The important thing is to persevere with the loving support of my family, and remind myself of the wonderful career l’ve had in music. I thank all the fans who have supported Foreigner throughout the years and continue to attend our concerts. Please know I appreciate your support; it always means so very much to me, especially so at this point in my life.”
Back in December, Foreigner announced a huge summer co-headlining tour with fellow classic rock icons, Styx. The Renegades and Jukebox Heroes Tour begins on June 11 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan and wraps up on August 28 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Very special guest John Waite is coming along for the 36-show tour.
In a statement at the time, Mick Jones said that he was looking forward to being “back on the road.”
“I am very much looking forward to the band being back on the road with our old friends, Styx,” Jones stated. “Our ‘Soundtrack of Summer’ tour ten years ago was a blockbuster, and our tour album was a Billboard chart success. It’ll be a great time had by all. As an added bonus, John Waite will accompany us on the journey, adding his No. 1 hits to a special night of classic rock.”
In light of his most recent statement, fans will have to wait and see if he’s still up for playing a song or two each night on this upcoming run.
“As we continue on with our farewell tour, I have been very moved by the support and reaction of all of our fans. To perform these next shows with our friends Styx and John Waite makes it even better. I am so looking forward to spending many beautiful summer nights all around the country, full of great classic rock, music, and great friends,” added Foreigner lead singer, Kelly Hansen.
Foreigner has an extraordinary streaming and radio audience driven by a catalogue of no less than sixteen Top 30 hits. With more Billboard Top 10 hits than Journey, and just as many as Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours and album sales, now exceeding 80 million. Responsible for some of rock and roll’s most enduring anthems, including “Juke Box Hero,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” “Feels Like The First Time,” “Urgent,” “Head Games,” “Say You Will,” “Dirty White Boy,” “Long, Long Way From Home” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want To Know What Love Is,” Foreigner still rocks the charts more than 40 years into the game with massive airplay and continued Billboard Top 200 album success. Streams of Foreigner’s hits are approaching 15 million per week.
