Classic rock fans are getting a long-awaited gift from one of the genre’s most recognizable voices. Lou Gramm, the former lead singer of Foreigner, has revealed that he will release his first new solo album in nearly two decades, and he promises that the music will be energized, heartfelt and rooted in hard-rock tradition.
The album, titled Released, is set to debut on March 20, 2026, marking Gramm’s first original full-length solo release since 2009’s record with The Lou Gramm Band. In describing the project, Gramm used a phrase that will resonate with longtime fans: “It rocks hard, boy.”
Gramm is best known as the original frontman for Foreigner, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band behind a string of enduring rock radio staples such as “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like the First Time” and “Cold as Ice.” He co-founded the group with guitarist Mick Jones in the late 1970s, and his distinctive voice helped define the band’s arena rock sound throughout the late ’70s and ’80s.
After multiple departures and returns to Foreigner over the years, Gramm has largely focused on other creative pursuits, but he has stayed active musically and remains close to his rock roots. The new album draws on both new compositions and unfinished material from his past — songs that were originally recorded or started decades ago but never officially released until now.
Gramm teamed up again with Bruce Turgon, a longtime friend and former bassist for Foreigner who played in Gramm’s solo projects and co-wrote numerous songs with him. Gramm explained that the duo spent more than two years refining the current project, revisiting ideas from his songwriting archives that he felt deserved a proper release.
“I’ve been working on this album for over two years, and I have been looking through my backlog of songs that were great ideas but unfinished,” Gramm told Blabbermouth. “We finished ’em up, polished ’em up, and they’re on the album.”
The album was recorded with Gramm’s current solo band, which includes veteran musicians such as Ben Grammatico on drums, Jeff Jacobs on keyboards, Scott Gilman on saxophone, Tony Franklin on bass, and Gary Hoey on guitar.
According to announcements shared on social media and in fan communities, Released will feature a set of original tracks penned by Gramm and Turgon, including material that dates back to earlier phases of Gramm’s solo career as well as entirely fresh compositions.
The track list — shared via fan channels — includes songs such as “Young Love,” “Lightning Strikes,” “Walk the Walk,” “Heart and Soul” and “Long Hard Look,” the latter title referencing Gramm’s own 1989 solo album.
For fans who grew up with Gramm’s voice on Foreigner hits or his earlier solo work, the new album represents both a return and a fresh statement. Gramm’s description that the album “rocks hard” signals that he hasn’t strayed far from the energetic, guitar-driven sound that made him one of classic rock’s enduring voices.
At 75 years old, Gramm has navigated a career that includes chart-topping classics, solo successes in the late 1980s, and regular reunion appearances with Foreigner. Released may serve as both a celebration of his past and a compelling new chapter for fans who’ve waited years for original material.
Looking Ahead
With the official album release date set for March 20, 2026, and the first single expected in early February, anticipation is building among classic rock listeners who witnessed Gramm’s heyday on the radio and the road. Preorders — including vinyl editions — are already appearing on major online retailers.
Whether introducing Gramm’s voice to a new generation or reconnecting longtime fans with his unmistakable delivery, Released is poised to be one of the most talked-about classic rock albums of the year.
