COLUMBIA, S.C. — The atmosphere at the Township Auditorium Monday night was nothing short of electric when the legendary band Foreigner took to the stage as part of its farewell tour.
Founded in 1976, the band's music is just as relevant in 2023 as it was back in the day. There have been changes to the band but the iconic Foreigner sound is still present.
The performance at the Township saw the band perform many of its famous songs but an added twist was Kelly Hanson morphing between lead singer and stand-up comic as he engaged with the crowd at the Township Auditorium.
But Foreigner's impact in the Midlands will extend beyond ticket sales and a rocking live performance. Part of the the band's live shows features a local high school choir coming on the stage and providing vocals during the 1984 #1 single "I Want To Know What Love Is", the band's lone single to reach the top spot of Billboard's Hot 100 but it was at the top of the charts around the world.
During Monday's performance at the Township, the White Knoll Choir made its way to the stage for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing with Foreigner.
In that 1984 song, the New Jersey Mass Choir affiliated with the Gospel Music Workshop of America provided the backing vocals for the song. Nearly 40 years after the release of that single, the band allows local high school choirs that opportunity to provide similar vocals that gave that song its distinctive sound.
The band also gives each high school choir who earns that prime position on stage a check for $500 for that school's choir program. White Knoll choir director Cheryl Felder says that $500 will go towards a December trip the band is taking to the Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach.
Foreigner bassist and keyboardist Jeff Pilson says the band wants to inspire the next generation of musicians to reach their potential not just in music but in their entire body of work in high school. Pilson is a firm believer that students who take part in music see positive results in other classes.
While most people see Foreigner as a legendary band with a string of hits and millions of records sold, Pilson hopes the band's legacy will also be one of giving back with the effects of that philanthropy felt for years to come.