Legendary rock singer to end career with New York hometown concert

An iconic upstate New York rock star is about to hang up his microphone.

On August 1, 2025, Lou Gramm, the original voice of Foreigner, will play at Batavia Downs in Batavia. According to WROC, it will be his last performance in the local area.

He told the Rochester TV station on Friday, “I’m trying to kind of play it out in my head, what it’s going to be like.”

General admission is $20, VIP tickets cost $30, premium tickets cost $60, and front-row seats cost $75. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite. VividSeats and Stubbhub may also have tickets available.

The Allman Betts Band (June 27), The Commodores (Aug. 8), and Kansas (Aug. 15) will also perform as part of Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel’s Rockin’ the Downs Summer Concert Series.

Additionally, Gramm was supposed to play in Albany on February 8, but the show has been canceled. The band Foreigner, which is currently led by singer Kelly Hansen, is on a lengthy farewell tour that will include a performance at the Erie County Fair in Hamburg on August 7.

The original voice of Foreigner singles like “Hot Blooded,” “Cold As Ice,” “Juke Box Hero,” and “Feels Like the First Time,” Gramm is a Rochester native who now resides in Webster, New York. In October, he and the iconic rock group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Gramm, 74, stated that he intends to retire the next year. In addition to doing goodbye shows, he will be releasing a new album in June.

“I’ve been a part of a lot of music that endures and will be available for enjoyment for many years to come,” Gramm told WROC.

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The lineup for Batavia Downs’ 2025 concert series

Queensryche on June 20th

The Allman Betts Band on June 27

11 July: Nearly Queen

Pink Floyd is performed by The Machine on July 18.

July 25: Little River Band w/ special guest Ambrosia

First of August: Lou Gramm

The Commodores on August 8

August 15: Kansas

Season passes and individual show tickets are sold on Eventbrite.

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