Wave the white flag: #9 "Dirty White Boy" Foreigner (1979)

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Foreigner was a straightforward rock band thriving in the punk/new wave era who sold a ton of records during their peak period of 1977-88. Formed in 1976 in New York City, Foreigner was an Anglo-American outfit led by Mick Jones (not to be confused with the Clash’s Mick Jones) and vocalist Lou Gramm. Hits rolled off the assembly line: “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Double Vision” and “Urgent.” From the huge selling album “Head Games,” “Dirty White Boy” was written by Jones and Gramm and reached Billboard #12. There is an Elvis connection to this solid 70s rocker. Jones described Elvis as a dirty white boy who changed music. Foreigner still rocks on as Jones owns the name with Gramm in and out. The band is an overplayed staple of classic rock radio. Should Foreigner be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Their success and long hit list far outweighs the likes of a Cheap Trick. According to Gramm, Jones confronted the R&R HOF chair as to why Foreigner has not even merited nomination. A heated exchange resulted in the declaration Foreigner will never be considered or inducted. It is still a mystery as to why Foreigner was snubbed form the beginning and what the R&R HOF beef is against them.