The Dead Daisies have a new frontman, and it is Kelly Hansen, the man who spent two decades singing for Foreigner. The band announced the change alongside dates for a 2027 tour and a new single called “Lift Me Up.”
Hansen’s Arrival
Hansen left Foreigner last year after 20 years as their lead singer. He told fans at the time that he was not retiring, just moving on to other things. Now he has found his next home.
The Dead Daisies formed in 2012 and have cycled through a string of vocalists since then. Jon Stevens (INXS, Noiseworks) led the early days, followed by John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream) and Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Trapeze). The band has also featured Corabi again. Now Hansen takes over.
The rest of the band stays the same. Guitarists Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) and David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix) remain in place, along with drummer Tommy Clufetos (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath) and bassist Jimi Crutchley (The Quireboys).
The New Album and the First Track
The Dead Daisies are currently working on a new record, and they have offered a first look at it with “Lift Me Up.” The band describes it as a riff-heavy rocker that shows off Hansen’s powerful pipes.
Aldrich explained how the song came together. “‘Lift Me Up’ started off as a dead simple guitar riff and heavy groove….as the song progressed the melody just grew from there,” he said. “It’s very melodic and the lyric reflects positively and a vibe to lift us up in these crazy times.”
Lowy added his own vote of confidence. “We’re fired up about the direction The Daisies is taking. Kelly has slotted in and it just feels right. We’ve got a killer record taking shape and looking forward to a big year of touring ahead. Bring on 2027!”
Hansen’s own statement matched the excitement. “When I left Foreigner after 20 great years, I told everybody I wasn’t ‘retiring’ just moving on to other things. This project gives me the opportunity to stretch out with some new melodies, a new vibe and fresh energy. We’re gonna rock it!” he said.
Tour Dates for 2027
The band has announced two legs of touring for next year. A Spring 2027 US tour will feature support from BulletBoys and The Fell (featuring Billy Sheehan). A separate March 2027 UK/European run follows.
The US dates run from April 30th at Mickey’s Black Box in Lititz, Pennsylvania, through a May 15th gig at a t0-be-confirmed venue in Los Angeles. Ticket details will be revealed shortly.
| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| April 30th | Mickey’s Black Box, Lititz, PA |
| May 15th | TBC, Los Angeles, CA |
The European dates cover a wide arc across the continent. They begin in Germany, move through England, France, and Italy, and end in Germany again.
| Date | Venue |
|---|---|
| March 4th | Zeche, Bochum, DE |
| March 21st | Batschkapp, Frankfurt, DE |
What the Band Has Said
Aldrich praised Hansen’s vocal range directly. “His vocal range is exceptional and he’s a badass frontman,” he said. The guitarist also noted the personal history between the two. “It’s also gonna be amazing to be onstage with Kelly again after all these years!”
Lowy’s statement spoke to the chemistry. “Kelly has slotted in and it just feels right,” he said. The band’s confidence in the record is clear.
The Dead Daisies have settled on one person to carry the torch. Hansen’s arrival gives the band a stable identity. The new album is coming, and the tour dates confirm the group is fully committed to the next chapter. The single “Lift Me Up” is the first sign of what that sounds like.
The Dead Daisies have been a floating idea for years. Now they finally have a permanent shape.
See the video the story is built around at Consequence.
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