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| Foreigner | |
|---|---|
| Name | Foreigner |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Rock music; Hard rock; Arena rock |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | Atlantic Records; Rhino Records; Sony Music |
| Associated acts | Cheap Trick; Bad Company; Journey; REO Speedwagon |
Foreigner is a British-American rock band formed in New York City in 1976 by guitarist Mick Jones and musician-singer Lou Gramm. The group achieved international commercial success in the late 1970s and 1980s with multiple multi-platinum albums and charting singles, performing in venues that included Madison Square Garden, Wembley Stadium, and Royal Albert Hall. Their catalog appeared on charts maintained by Billboard and earned nominations and awards from institutions such as the Grammy Awards and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-related discussions. Foreigner's lineup changes and legacy intersect with figures and institutions across the popular music industry, including managers, record labels, and touring partners.
The band's name originates from founder Mick Jones's status as an Englishman in the United States and reflects themes resonant with transatlantic contexts like New York City, London, and broader Anglo-American relations. The term evokes parallels with other proper nouns used as group identifiers in rock history such as Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who. Naming conventions in popular music have been studied alongside entities like Capitol Records, Island Records, and cultural movements centered on venues such as CBGB and The Roxy Theatre. The label choice and branding connected Foreigner to commercial platforms including Atlantic Records and distribution networks tied to multinational corporations like Sony Music Entertainment.
As a corporate and touring entity, the band has engaged with contractual frameworks involving agents and institutions such as William Morris Endeavor, CAA (Creative Artists Agency), and promoters like Live Nation. Contracts with record labels entailed negotiations overseen by legal counsel familiar with laws in jurisdictions including United States copyright law, United Kingdom intellectual property law, and international agreements mediated by organizations such as WIPO. Disputes over royalties and songwriting credits have involved arbitration and matters heard under statutes influenced by bodies like the American Arbitration Association and litigated in courts such as the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Touring operations required permits and compliance with municipal agencies in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto.
Public perception of the band has been shaped by music journalism outlets such as Rolling Stone, NME, Billboard (magazine), and broadcasters including MTV and BBC Radio 1. Reviews and commentary placed the group within conversations alongside artists like Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and Van Halen, influencing reception at institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and festivals paralleling Woodstock (music festival)-era legacies. Fan cultures organized around venues such as Tree of Life-style communities and fan clubs have intersected with merchandising through retailers like Hot Topic and licensing agreements with corporations such as Live Nation Entertainment.
Founding members originated from different national backgrounds, with Mick Jones from Worcester, England and other members from cities including The Bronx and Queens. The multinational makeup aligns with migration patterns between the United Kingdom and the United States during postwar decades, reflecting professional mobility akin to artists who moved between scenes in Liverpool, Manchester, and New York City. Touring rosters and crew personnel have included citizens and residents from countries represented in visa systems like the United States H-1B visa and cultural exchange programs administered by agencies such as the United States Department of State.
Members navigating residency and work authorization engaged with immigration mechanisms overseen by agencies like United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and consular services of the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Naturalization and long-term residency choices paralleled those taken by other transatlantic artists who worked under visas, permanent residency routes, and citizenship processes similar to filings with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and applications processed via consulates in cities such as New York City and London. Management of tax obligations and social security entitlements involved authorities like the Internal Revenue Service and HM Revenue and Customs.
Touring activities intersected with international legal frameworks addressing customs, taxation, and intellectual property enforcement across jurisdictions from the United States to the European Union. Contracts for performance and recording referenced treaty regimes and enforcement bodies including the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and reciprocal arrangements executed through organizations like IFPI. Disputes about rights and royalties could implicate courts and tribunals in places such as London and New York, and arbitration under institutions like the International Chamber of Commerce.
Coverage of the band appears in biographies, authorized histories, and critical studies published by houses including Penguin Books, HarperCollins, and Bloomsbury Publishing. Journalistic profiles have been featured in Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Guardian, and broadcast documentaries on networks like BBC Two and VH1 Classic. The group's songs and image featured in soundtracks for films distributed by studios such as Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Pictures, and in television programming on networks including NBC and ABC. Academic treatments situate the band within popular music studies alongside case studies of Fleetwood Mac, Guns N' Roses, and The Eagles.
Category:1976 establishments in New York City Category:British-American musical groups