For Foreigner keyboardist Michael Bluestein, the time is right to slow down a bit.
“We’re in the middle of a two-year farewell tour,” Bluestein said. “We’re not saying goodbye completely but basically we’re entering a new chapter where we’ll not be traveling as extensively as we have been because it’s been about nine months a year for about 20 years. It’s going to be considerably less, so this is a full-on, going out with a bang during these two years.”
Foreigner has paused its official farewell tour concerts to perform a Renegades and Juke Box Heroes summer tour with Styx. The tour will visit Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville at 6:45 p.m. July 26. John Waite serves as the opening act.
Foreigner brought its farewell tour with Loverboy to Noblesville in July 2023, shortly after the tour started. The tour with Styx will feature a few less songs than the farewell tour, but will include all the major hits.
“It’s a leaner, meaner set,” Bluestein said. “Instead of 100 minutes, this is closer to 80 minutes.”
Foreigner will be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Oct. 19 in Cleveland as part of the class of 2024.
“It’s a buzz, for sure. A lot of people think it’s long overdue,” said Bluestein, who joined Foreigner in 2008. “It’s a thrill and it looks like we’ll all be there. It will be a nice reunion for the older members as well as newer members. It’s kind of hallowed ground and pretty amazing to be inducted to a prestigious institute. I think it’s going to be kind of a then-and-now scenario.”
Mick Jones, the band’s founder and guitarist, and former lead singer Lou Gramm co-wrote most of the band’s hit songs. Jones, the last original member, has been able to tour with the band since 2022 after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease.
Bluestein, 55, is looking forward to spending more time with his 8-month old daughter.
“I’m a first-time dad. I’m looking forward to being a dad more full time, or at least half time,” Bluestein said.
Bluestein started playing classical music and then began performing more jazz in high school. Before joining Foreigner, he toured with Enrique Iglesias, Anastacia Lyn Newkirk and Boz Scaggs.
“Versatility is something I was shooting for to have a lot of opportunities and be employed in different situations,” he said.” It’s served me well. I’ve always loved different styles of music. Duke Ellington used to say there are two kinds of music, don’t worry about genres, there is good and bad. I feel Foreigner music is really good music.”
Bluestein, who also serves as a record producer, writes music for TV and movies. Bluestein and his girlfriend Tina Terry perform as a duo called Tina Blue.
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