Foreigner - On coming to Christ
Ever remember seeing the video for the song “I Want To Know What Love Is?”
Okay, maybe you don’t remember as far back as 1985. Well, it was a very moving video that struck at the heart of more than one believer, who thought the same thought and prayed the same prayer: “I hope they find out what love is, and Who love is.” John Elefante, ex-Kansas vocalist, even wrote a song on his latest solo album that is a direct response: “This Is What Love Is.” Well, those that prayed that prayer will be glad to know that Foreigner vocalist Lou Gramm (pictured 3rd from left) knows what love is. In fact, he knows the Author of Love. Read on...
Every Christian has their own story about how they came to Christ. What’s your story?
“Well, I’ll try to make it as brief as possible. I really have always felt the presence of the Lord, and certainly acknowledged Him, but always seemed to keep Him at arm’s length, and only called upon Him when I needed Him. And then it was like I thanked Him, and like, ‘I’ll take over from here.’ I think I just came to a point in my life where, as a parent and just as a person, I had really emotionally and spiritually bottomed out. I just felt there was more to life, certainly, than what I was getting out of it. I could see not only the state and the condition of this world and the country we live in, but my own personal life and my beliefs and everything were just in upheaval. I just reached the point where I just needed to call out to Him, and ask for something meaningful -- to put everything in perspective. I feel there’s more to it than the amount of time we have on this planet.”
What were some of the time tables that this was happening?
“I think really over the last dozen years; maybe from the mid-80’s. I think the material success and the public accolades, and just the whole celebrity thing -- I never bought into it, and I was always uncomfortable with it. I just knew that it wasn’t the part that I was in this career for. For me, it was for the creative end of it, and really being able to reach people through the songs I was writing and performing. But, all the other stuff that went along with it kind of diminished my enthusiasm for what I was doing. So, I would say that through the mid-80’s, late 80’s, and early 90’s, I was on the fringe of really . . . I was doing some shopping, spiritual shopping. I got an earful and an education about new age spirituality, etc. That left me cold. I really was searching in those years. Through the years, some very dear friends of mine began to attend a non-denominational Church in Rochester.
“I really found what I was looking for: a real ‘come as you are’ type of attitude, really steeped in the Word, and the Scriptures and the teachings that are applicable to today’s life, and the world that we’re living in now. I really got into the book of Revelation. I just found what I was looking for -- a real sense of well-being in being a follower of Jesus. I think that everything I had been through up to that point in my life led me up to where I finally made the commitment, and accepted Him as my Lord and my Savior, instead of just a part-time, ‘get me out of trouble’ God. I think that’s where the difference lies. That’s kind of it in a nutshell.”
I remember hearing about the experience you guys had when filming the video to “I Want to Know What Love Is,” where the New Jersey Mass Choir came in, and everyone held hands and repeated the Lord’s Prayer...
“Yeah, that was actually during the recording, not the video. They did that before they sang on the recording, and it was really moving. It stunned us in the control room. We were just literally moved to tears that their performance was directed at our Lord. I think anyone could feel that the song goes way beyond a love ballad. I think emotionally, I was turned inside-out and emptied out.”
Wow! Have you imagined in your mind, or formulated a vision of what it must be like for God the Father when you are singing unto Him? If so, what is your impression of what’s going on, or what it’s like?
“Well, I hope He’s smiling. I’m not sure. He’s all knowing, so He certainly knows what’s going on. He knows my thoughts and my heart. I try and keep it pure and focused when I sing. For me, now, it’s a lot different than in years past, but I still have fun with it. It’s quite a bit more meaningful now than it ever has been. I thank Him for the Gift that He’s given me, and I maintain a sense of humility about it, and acknowledge that it is a gift from Him and it’s not my skill or my good fortune. I’m blessed.”
What have your band-mates and other peers thought of your conversion?
“I think they were curious more than anything at first, but certainly not disrespectful, because I’m not given to go off on tangents, like, ‘Oh, there goes Lou on another one of his . . .’ I never do that. So, when I accepted the Lord and let my band-mates know, they’d see me walking around with my Bible and devotionals, and things like that . . . I think they’re curious in their own way. I certainly can’t project what will come of it, but it’s lent a mildly different atmosphere to our tour bus and our whole on and off stage persona. It’s not that we’ve become a Christian band; we’re not. We’re a secular band; and it’s not that the guys I play with are a bunch of crude heathens. We’re all family men with morals and beliefs of our own. I think they’re believers in God, but I think they look at where I am spiritually with a lot of interest.”
What do you think the future holds for Foreigner?
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