Foreigner’s Mick Jones announces he has Parkinson’s disease

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Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Jones, 79, made the announcement as he explained why he hasn’t played with the band since 2022.

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“Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease,” Jones revealed in a statement shared to Instagram. “I want everyone to know that I am doing alright. However, I’ve always liked to be at my best when performing onstage, and sadly, at present, I find that a bit difficult.”

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The musician, who has been involved in some of the band’s biggest hits, including I Want to Know What Love Is, told fans that while he hasn’t been onstage he is “still very much involved in the background with Foreigner and remain a presence.”

“Parkinson’s is a daily struggle; the important thing is to persevere and remind myself of the wonderful career I’ve had in music,” Jones continued. “I thank all the fans who have supported Foreigner throughout the years and continue to attend our concerts — I want you to know I appreciate your support; it always means so very much to me, but especially so at this point in my life.”

After announcing the band’s farewell run of shows, Jones promised a concert that “will have the same enthusiasm as our very first appearances.”

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“While I’m sure our fans will have mixed feelings about the end of the road for the band, I know our shows are going to delight audiences everywhere,” Jones said in a statement.

Foreigner was formed in 1976 with a mix of American and British musicians, including Ian McDonald of King Crimson and Lou Gramm from the band Black Sheep.

With over 80 million records sold worldwide and nine top 10 hits, the band is known for songs like Hot Blooded, Juke Box Hero and I Want to Know What Love Is.

In its current incarnation, Foreigner is led by frontman Kelly Hansen, bassist Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein on keyboards, guitarist Bruce Watson, Chris Frazier on drums and guitarist Luis Maldonado.

When Billboard spoke to Jones in 2012, he opened up on the prospect of the group continuing on without him.

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“That’s a tough one,” he said, adding that, “I look at it as a team. If you think about…any kind of sports teams, they change players all the time. The thought of my music carrying on in that way has some appeal to me.”

Jones’ announcement comes just a week after Foreigner was nominated for the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the first time following a campaign spearheaded by his stepson Mark Ronson, Dave Grohl, Slash and many others.

“Everything that made me want to be a record producer came from being in the studio watching Foreigner make records. I’m still completely in awe of the sound of those first five albums,” Ronson said in an Instagram message. “Guitars with swagger and bite. Heavy drums that groove like a mutha with the bass. Wide layers of synths. And then there’s that voice. And those songs. It’s really crazy. It’s also kind of crazy that this is the first time they’ve ever been on the ballot for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame – after 20 years of eligibility.”

Foreigner’s farewell tour touches down in Canada later this spring. For a full list of dates, visit: foreigneronline.com/tour.

[email protected]

Article content

Article content

Foreigner founder and guitarist Mick Jones has revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Jones, 79, made the announcement as he explained why he hasn’t played with the band since 2022.

Article content

“Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease,” Jones revealed in a statement shared to Instagram. “I want everyone to know that I am doing alright. However, I’ve always liked to be at my best when performing onstage, and sadly, at present, I find that a bit difficult.”

Article content

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The musician, who has been involved in some of the band’s biggest hits, including I Want to Know What Love Is, told fans that while he hasn’t been onstage he is “still very much involved in the background with Foreigner and remain a presence.”

“Parkinson’s is a daily struggle; the important thing is to persevere and remind myself of the wonderful career I’ve had in music,” Jones continued. “I thank all the fans who have supported Foreigner throughout the years and continue to attend our concerts — I want you to know I appreciate your support; it always means so very much to me, but especially so at this point in my life.”

After announcing the band’s farewell run of shows, Jones promised a concert that “will have the same enthusiasm as our very first appearances.”

Article content

Article content

“While I’m sure our fans will have mixed feelings about the end of the road for the band, I know our shows are going to delight audiences everywhere,” Jones said in a statement.

Foreigner was formed in 1976 with a mix of American and British musicians, including Ian McDonald of King Crimson and Lou Gramm from the band Black Sheep.

With over 80 million records sold worldwide and nine top 10 hits, the band is known for songs like Hot Blooded, Juke Box Hero and I Want to Know What Love Is.

In its current incarnation, Foreigner is led by frontman Kelly Hansen, bassist Jeff Pilson, Michael Bluestein on keyboards, guitarist Bruce Watson, Chris Frazier on drums and guitarist Luis Maldonado.

When Billboard spoke to Jones in 2012, he opened up on the prospect of the group continuing on without him.

Article content

“That’s a tough one,” he said, adding that, “I look at it as a team. If you think about…any kind of sports teams, they change players all the time. The thought of my music carrying on in that way has some appeal to me.”

Jones’ announcement comes just a week after Foreigner was nominated for the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for the first time following a campaign spearheaded by his stepson Mark Ronson, Dave Grohl, Slash and many others.

“Everything that made me want to be a record producer came from being in the studio watching Foreigner make records. I’m still completely in awe of the sound of those first five albums,” Ronson said in an Instagram message. “Guitars with swagger and bite. Heavy drums that groove like a mutha with the bass. Wide layers of synths. And then there’s that voice. And those songs. It’s really crazy. It’s also kind of crazy that this is the first time they’ve ever been on the ballot for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame – after 20 years of eligibility.”

Foreigner’s farewell tour touches down in Canada later this spring. For a full list of dates, visit: foreigneronline.com/tour.

[email protected]

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