The only remaining original member of FOREIGNER, Jones suffered from some health issues beginning in 2011, eventually resulting in heart surgery in 2012. Ever since, it is never announced whether he will be appearing with the band for specific shows — it just depends how he is feeling.
Pilson then clarified that Jones is not necessarily against the idea of touring without him. "I don't even think that's something he opposes as much as it just feels like the right time," Jeff explained. "And I think he feels like, 'Let's go out while we're still on top. Kelly's [Hansen] still singing like a million bucks. Everybody's performing at their best.' And I think — well, I know — that the objective here is to go out on a high note, which not all bands do. I'm sure there's a lot of bands that they simply need the money, so I can't begrudge them for doing that. But because we're in a position where we don't have to worry about that, we're gonna go out on a high note and make sure that this legacy is preserved with all the respect and integrity that it deserves."
FOREIGNER's farewell tour is set to launch on July 6 at Atlanta's Ameris Bank Amphitheatre. For the first leg of the U.S. Live Nation-produced tour, FOREIGNER will be joined by LOVERBOY.
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