Lou Gramm is no Foreigner when it comes to DTE Music Theater.
‘I’ve played there many times,? Gramm said. ‘Pine Knob, as I like to remember it, is laid out beautifully ? I like the setup, height of the stage, way audience wraps around, even the lawn seats don’t seem so far away you can’t reach them.?
The former lead singer of the classic rock band Foreigner performs at DTE, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, with Patty Smyth and Scandal.
‘I’m doing a slew of my favorites from the old Foreigner days (including ‘Juke Box Hero,? ‘Head Games,? and ‘Blue Morning, Blue Day?), some of my solo stuff and even an old Beatle song or two ? they’ve been my favorite since day one,? he said.
‘People will get a good taste of rock and roll, probably a number of songs they remember and good musicianship. They’ll find me in good voice and a lot of honest energy in the band.?
The Lou Gramm Band includes both his brothers, Ben Grammatico on drums and Richard Grammatico on bass and guitar.
‘It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,? Lou said. ‘I have my brothers on my solo album and occasionally one or the other would be out on tour with me, but this is the first time that they’ve both been out on tour with me.?
Touring as a family has been interesting, but enjoyable, he said.
‘Even though we fought like dogs when we were young, they’re real supportive now and I try to be also,? he said.
Lou still performs rock hits like ‘Hot Blooded? and ‘Dirty White Boy? ? his bread and butter, he said ? but his current work reflects his life as a born-again Christian.
‘In 1992, I decided I’ve had enough of this world as we know it and gave my heart to the Lord,? he said. ‘I was still rocking out, doing my own thing and working with Foreigner too, when that was possible. But always in the back of my mind I wanted to do a Christian album, and we have one done now.?
The album should be ready for release early next year, he said.
‘It’s a melodic rock, not compromised by a long shot, very powerful music,? he said. ‘The biggest difference, of course, is the message, but even that is done in a way that is palatable.?
His faith helped him when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1997. The benign tumor was removed surgically and he has since recovered.
‘My health is very good,? he said. ‘Some things won’t get any better, damaged by the tumor, but for all intents and purposes I’m in better health than I’ve been in a long time.?
The band is touring the nation, but only on the weekends.
‘I’ve got 8-year-old twins, a boy and a girl,? he said. ‘I have older sons too. They were little when Foreigner was just starting to make it (in the late 1970s-1980s).?
At the time, the band would be on the road 2-3 months at a time.
‘I missed a lot of them growing up. I wanted to make sure that didn’t happen with the twins. We all decided we would just do weekends,? he said.
‘We leave Thursday and get home Sunday night. That leaves some time during the week to just have a regular life.?
A muscle-car fanatic, he owns 5-6 cars and shows them off at local car cruises.
‘I’m always taking the kids to cruise nights in Rochester, New York,? he said.
‘They play little league soccer, they’re busy with that. We spend time really well.?
Tickets at $34.50 pavilion, $10 lawn. The show is rescheduled from July 9 ? those tickets will be honored. Call 248-645-6666.