Longtime Foreigner bassist Jeff Pilson will be with the band at its induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this weekend, but he will not be a member of the 2024 class. Despite having been a member of the band since 2004, according to Ultimate Classic Rock.com, only the classic-era members – Lou Gramm, Mick Jones (remains in band’s current lineup), Dennis Elliott, Al Greenwood, Ed Gagliardi, Ian McDonald and Rick Wills – will be inducted.
But he’s excited for the guys, and to be at the ceremony Saturday night, which will also see Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne and A Tribe Called Quest inducted in the performer category.
We had the chance to catch up with Pilson, who also has played with some of rock’s heaviest hitters, including Dio and Dokken, while on tour with the band.
Q: How did you get started in music?
A: I started playing cello in fifth grade, so I was 11 years old, and then when I was 12, some kids heard me singing on the schoolyard, and asked if I’d be in their band, and I said, ‘Sure.’ Then they said, ‘Hey, we don’t have a bass player. Would you want to learn bass?’ Sure? I had a paper route at the time, and I went out and bought a $35 Teisco Del Rey bass and a $35 Gibson Skylark amp, and I was off to the races.
Q: Who are your influences?
A: The Beatles have always been my favorites. I mean, come on, they’re brilliant songwriters and those records and everything else. So they’re No. 1. But then as I got going, I was into all the classic stuff like Deep Purple and Black Sabbath and all that. Then when the progressive rock movement came along, I was really into Yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer, and Genesis and Gentle Giant and all those kind of bands. I still love AC/DC. And then I went through a phase where I really got into Motown and all that kind of stuff. So I love all kinds of music, and making music is just an honor and a thrill.
Q: How did you end up in foreigner?
A: What happened is, in the year 2000, I filmed a movie alongside Jason Bonham, who is the son of legendary Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. Jason’s a great musician on his own, and he and I were in this movie called “Rock Star” together. And then when he started working with Mick Jones, a couple years later, they just called me up. I came down, and chemistry was immediate. And then Jason kind of talked Mick into re-forming Foreigner, so I’ve been there ever since.
Q: Are you psyched that Foreigner’s going into the Hall?
A: Of course, these guys really deserve it. I mean, obviously we’re not going in, but the original guys so deserve it. We’re very, very happy for them. We couldn’t be more excited, and we’re gonna be there cheering them on.
Q: What do you think your musical legacy will be?
A: My personal legacy, I just want it to be that I made some great music. That I wrote and recorded some great stuff; left a lot of good music for people when I’m gone; hopefully, that I was a great father and husband; and that I made a little contribution to the yoga world. I’m working on a book right now that I hope will come out next year about yoga, and that’s something I’d like to really do more of. I hope my legacy also includes that as far as Foreigner’s legacy, I mean, I think it’s already pretty established in just these great songs that are part of the social fabric of the world. And that’s the goal of all music – to be part of people’s lives. And Foreigner firmly is, and I couldn’t be more proud of my very small contribution to that. I mean, I think is wonderful. I want to leave a legacy of positivity, great music and love.
katie@durangoherald.com
