Lou Gramm: a Juke Box Hero (nearly unplugged)

More than 20 years after the smash initial release of its 4th album, Foreigner released Foreigner 4 (Expanded & Remastered). In addition to remastered versions from the 1981 release, the 2002 version features “nearly unplugged” versions of the 2 most popular hits, “Juke Box Hero” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You.” It’s definitely worth a trip down memory lane to hear the remastered songs, especially when COVID makes real travel difficult.  But the 2002 version of “Juke Box Hero” really captured my attention, not because it’s “nearly unplugged,” but because the lyrics – and Lou Gramm’s performance – parallel Lou’s life, and likely the lives of those who listened to the original version on cassette.

Chasing the Dreams of Youth

So he started rockin’
Ain’t never gonna stop
Gotta keep on rockin’
Someday he’s gonna make it to the top

“Juke Box Hero” song tells the story of the band’s – and Gramm’s – humble beginnings and a desire to follow his dreams.  His parents were proud of Lou’s musical talents, but couldn’t financially support him and encouraged him to have a practical option just in case (Lou studied to become a history teacher). He switched from drums to vocals when his band, Black Sheep, couldn’t find a better singer, but could find a drummer. Black Sheep collapsed after its equipment was destroyed in a Christmas day crash after opening for Kiss.  His Black Sheep band mates encouraged him to continue chasing his dreams by auditioning for Mick Jones, who was forming a new band, Foreigner…

Facing the Realities of Old Age

Now he needs to keep rockin’
He just can’t stop
Gotta keep on rockin’
That boy has got to stay on top

Lou wisely lowered his octave in the 2002 version to suit his mature (read: lower) vocal range. But let’s be honest: Mr. Gramm struggles to hit the few high notes that remain.  Many may not know about Lou’s health struggles as he got older.  He gained over 100 pounds as a result of these issues and fought to reduce his weight to more healthy levels after a critical brain surgery. Lou turned to God after struggles with substance abuse.

Keep On Rockin’, Lou

Still, Lou keeps on rockin’. After splitting with Mick Jones and Foreigner, Lou enjoys a successful solo career, partnering with Rick Springfield, Billy Joe (who inducted Gramm and Jones into the Songwriter Hall of Fame) and even reuniting with Jones and Foreigner, as well as with his original band, Black Sheep. In 2019, he published his autobiography, Juke Box Hero: My Five Decades in Rock n’ Roll.

How many in the 40+ crowd, chasing the latest social media craze to retain the dreams of their youth and dealing with their own life challenges, can relate?