Foreigner founder Mick Jones reveals he has been battling Parkinson’s illness for “a number of years”
Foreigner founder Mick Jones has revealed that he has Parkinson’s illness, and has been fighting it for “a number of years”.
The 79-year-old musician is the final remaining authentic member of the rock band, and has been unable to carry out with them dwell since 2022 because of well being points. This has, partly, been right down to a neurodegenerative dysfunction – which incorporates signs equivalent to tremors, stiffness, stability issues and sluggish mobility.
Now, the musician has shared an announcement with followers, confirming that he has had Parkinson’s illness for quite a lot of years.
“Followers may have change into very conscious that for a while now, I’ve not been performing onstage with the band. A number of years in the past, I used to be identified with Parkinson’s illness. I would like everybody to know that I’m doing alright,” he wrote on social media.
“Nonetheless, I’ve all the time appreciated to be at my greatest when performing onstage, and sadly, at current, I discover {that a} bit tough. I’m nonetheless very a lot concerned within the background with Foreigner and stay a presence,” he added. “Parkinson’s is a day by day wrestle; the essential factor is to persevere and remind myself of the fantastic profession I’ve had in music. I thank all of the followers who’ve supported Foreigner all through the years and proceed to attend our live shows — I would like you to know I admire your help; it all the time means so very a lot to me, however particularly so at this level in my life.”
At the moment, Foreigner is embarking on a mammoth remaining tour, fronted by Kelly Hansen. In his absence, bassist Jeff Pilson has taken Jones’ place.
Whereas he’s not participating within the remaining stretch of tour dates as a full touring member, Jones has come out for a choose variety of songs at varied reveals on the tour, becoming a member of the remainder of the line-up for a few of their most well-known tracks.
Foreigner fashioned in New York again in 1976 and comprised Jones, alongside singer Lou Gramm, drummer Dennis Elliott, keyboardist Al Greenwood, multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald and bassist Ed Gagliardi. They jumped to fame with their self-titled 1977 debut album, and are most famed for his or her tracks together with ‘Feels Like The First Time’, ‘Chilly As Ice’ and ‘Lengthy, Lengthy Manner From Residence’.
At the moment, the band have been nominated for the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame class of 2024. It’s their first nomination to be inducted into the Cleveland corridor, regardless of the band being eligible since 2002.
Earlier in the present day (February 22), famend producer and stepson of Jones, Mark Ronson led a push to have the band inducted later this 12 months – recruiting members of Foo Fighters, Purple Sizzling Chili Peppers, Weapons N’ Roses and Queens Of The Stone Age to encourage followers to vote.
“You wish to know what love is? Love is placing Foreigner within the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame… Foreigner ought to completely be in [there],” Josh Homme mentioned, whereas Dave Grohl added: “I’ve beloved Foreigner since I bought their debut report… There’s one drum riff that I’ve utilized in various songs.”
Ronson additionally went on to reshare the submit of Jones asserting his battle with Parkinson’s, writing: “I’m so proud and fortunate to have grown up with this courageous, sincere, lovely man”.
Different nominees for the 2024 Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame embrace Ozzy Osbourne, Jane’s Habit, Dave Matthews Band, Oasis, Mary J. Blige, Eric B. & Rakim, Kool & the Gang, Sade, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sinead O’Connor, Peter Frampton, A Tribe Known as Quest and Cher.