Foreigner are set to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Cleveland on Saturday (October 19th), but two key members won’t be in attendance. Founding guitarist and still current member Mick Jones is battling Parkinson’s disease, while founding drummer Dennis Elliott is apparently upset with the circumstances surrounding the ceremony.
In a Facebook post, Foreigner revealed that they will have some big-time guests performing their songs at the ceremony, while also detailing who will be in attendance from the band:
“Foreigner is greatly looking forward to Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The band will be joined by Demi Lovato, Sammy Hagar, and Kelly Clarkson in a set celebrating the induction of the guys who started it all almost fifty years ago. Original members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, and Rick Wills will be there to accept the awards on behalf of the band’s leader and founder Mick Jones, drummer Dennis Elliott, and Ian McDonald and Ed Gagliardi who are no longer with us.”
Meanwhile, Elliott shared the following message with fans:
“Dear Foreigner Fans & Friends. Don’t look too hard, we will not be there. We were finally given the schedule last night, and it is not to our satisfaction. So we are staying home. We have been asking for weeks, and they have waited until the very last minute to send it knowing we were all packed and going to bed. Totally unacceptable to us. Hope you have a good time.”
Billboard further reports that Elliott may have had an issue with Rock Hall organizers not allowing band members to walk the red carpet with their spouses.
Jones, while still a member of the band, has stepped away from touring due to his battle with Parkinson’s disease. Foreigner kick off a Las Vegas residency later this month, and have several dates scheduled for 2025 as part of their ongoing farewell tour (pick up tickets here).
Along with Foreigner, this year’s Rock Hall inductees include Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band, Cher, Peter Frampton, and more. The ceremony can be viewed live Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on Disney+.