Foreigner’s Dennis Elliott Refusing To Attend Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Over “Unacceptable” Circumstances

Joining forces to create Foreigner during the 1970s, the band watched as stardom engulfed the group as they released hit songs like “I Want to Know What Love Is” and “Hot Blooded.” Selling over 80 million albums throughout the years, the band gained high praise from fans and was even eligible to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in the early 2000s. But it wasn’t until 2024 that Foreigner found themselves on the induction list. While thrilled about the massive accomplishment, it appears that drummer Dennis Elliott won’t be attending the event.

Landing a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a dream come true for most bands, but for Elliott, it has become this constant back and forth. Sharing his thoughts in a Facebook post, the drummer explained, “Dear Foreigner Fans & Friends, Don’t look too hard, we will not be there. We were finally given the schedule last night, and it is not to our satisfaction. So we are staying home. We have been asking for this for weeks, and they have waited until the very last minute to send it knowing we were all packed and going to bed. Totally unacceptable to us.”

Criticizing the Hall of Fame organizers for dragging their feet when it came to the scheduling, Elliott hoped his fellow bandmates would have a “good time.”

[RELATED: Founding Foreigner Keyboardist Al Greenwood Says a Rock Hall Induction Is the “Ultimate Goal” for a Musician]

The Foreigner Members Attending Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Ceremony

Reading the news, fans offered their thoughts on the situation, writing, “Wow! How sad! The original band will live on Forever regardless! You will always be one of the greatest rock drummers of all time. SO happy I saw you at the Spectrum in Philly on the Double Vision tour in 1978. The Cars opened. Be well and keep Rockin!” Another person added, “Oh no!! That is awful to receive such an honor and not being able to be there. So sorry you can’t make it and horrible communication! Congratulations and well deserved!”

It seems Elliott won’t be the only one skipping the ceremony as Mick Jones will also be absent. According to the band’s Facebook page, “original members Lou Gramm, Al Greenwood, and Rick Wills will be there to accept the awards on behalf of the band’s leader and founder Mick Jones and Dennis Elliot, along [with] those of Ian McDonald and Ed Gagliardi who passed away some years ago.”

(Alex Gallardo, 2024)