80’s at 8 Rockturnal with Scotty B Wednesday 04-05-23
American-based rock band Foreigner performs onstage at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, November 8, 1981. Pictured is vocalist Lou Gramm. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
It is a Double Play Wednesday 80’s at 8 on Rockturnal with Scotty B . Tonight I rocked a Lou Graham themed Double play. Lou Graham was the original Lead singer of the Iconic rock band Foreigner from from 1977 to 1990 and again from 1992 to 2003, in the time period of the 70’s and 80’s the band had numerous successful albums and singles. Lou ventured out on his own to record his debut solo album Ready or Not in 1986 and released it in 1987. In 1990 Lou left Foreigner to focus on his solo career as well as having long time creative differences with band mate Mick Jones. I kicked off the Lou Graham themed double play with the title track to the Ready or Not album. Ready or Not has a fast-paced, high-energy feel to it. The song’s riffs are heavy and powerful, and Graham’s voice is also a standout feature, showcasing his incredible range and ability that we all know from his time in Foreigner. The album enjoyed critical acclaim and commercial success . Bret Adams of All Music gave a retrospective review of the album and gave it 4 1/2 stars out of 5 and said it was “rich with melody and snap”. The title track to the album Ready or Not was the second single released, it reached # 7 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and #54 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Ready or Not” is a Rocker that still holds up today. Its empowering lyrics, catchy chorus, and Lou Gramm’s powerful vocals make it a must-listen for any rock fan or anyone in need of a little motivation or for someone who wants to turn that volume all the way to the right and rock the F*%#! Out. You can watch the music video for Ready Or Not by lou Graham here:
Portrait of the American-based rock band Foreigner as they pose backsatge at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, November 8, 1981. Pictured are, from left, Dennis Elliot, Lou Gramm, Rick Wills, and Mick Jones. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
The second track in the Lou Graham themed Doubly Play on The 80’s at 8 was from Lou Graham singing lead vocals in Foreigner. Reaction to Action was the third single released from Foreigners 1984 album Agent Provocateur. The album was certified triple platinum in the US and reached #4 on the Bill Board 200 album chart. Agent Provocateur was the band’s first and only number one album in the U K, Reaction to Action often cited as one of Foreigner’s most underrated songs, overshadowed by their more popular hits . One of the most striking aspects of “Reaction to Action” is the powerful vocal performance by Lou Gramm. His signature voice, filled with emotion and intensity, perfectly captures the song’s message of taking action and making a change. The band’s tight musicianship, with its driving rhythm section and catchy guitar riffs, provides a perfect backdrop for Gramm’s vocals. It’s a hard hitting high energy rocker that revolves around the theme of taking action and making a change. It reached #44 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and # 54 on the Billboard Hot 100. In my opinion , if it would have been released as the first or second single it would have been a waaaaay bigger hit. You can watch the Foreigner performing Reaction to Action live here:
