How a Kiss Tour DISASTER Changed Lou Gramms Life!

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How a Kiss Tour Disaster Changed Lou Gramm's Life

1. Background of Black Sheep: Lou Gramm, the lead singer of Black Sheep, initially started as both the drummer and the singer for the band. However, they struggled to find a cohesive sound with this setup.

2. Decision to Focus on Singing: After realizing the need for a dedicated drummer or singer, Lou volunteered to step off the drums and become the full-time singer for the band.

3. Finding a New Drummer: With Lou now solely focusing on singing, Black Sheep auditioned and found a talented drummer to complete their lineup.

4. Joining a Tour with Kiss: Black Sheep had the opportunity to be special guests for a tour with Kiss. Their first show together was at the Boston Academy of Music, where they received a standing ovation and positive feedback from Kiss's tour manager.

5. Tragic Accident on the Road: While returning home from the tour, Black Sheep's crew encountered an accident where their truck slid off the road due to icy conditions, resulting in significant damage to their equipment.

6. Rescuing the Crew: Lou Gramm and the bass player went back to pick up the crew stranded at the accident site and brought them back to Rochester, ensuring they were home for Christmas.

7. Assessing the Equipment Damage: Upon inspecting the equipment at the gas station where the truck was towed, it was evident that a large portion of the gear, including instruments and amplifiers, was destroyed beyond repair.

8. Dealing with Insurance: The band contacted their insurance company, who determined that approximately 80-85% of the equipment was irreparable.

9. Reaching Out to Management: Lou Gramm contacted the tour manager of Kiss to explain the situation and received support in the form of used equipment and a small truck to help them get back on the road.

10. Transition to Foreigner: About six months later, Mick Jones from Foreigner reached out to Lou Gramm after hearing Black Sheep's albums and invited him to audition for his new band.

11. Auditioning for Foreigner: Lou Gramm agreed to audition for Foreigner after finishing up his commitments with Black Sheep. He impressed Mick Jones during the audition, leading to his inclusion in the band.

12. Joining Foreigner: Lou Gramm joined Foreigner, where he found a new musical home and began writing songs with Mick Jones, marking a significant turning point in his career.

By following these steps, you can understand how a challenging experience on tour led to a transformative opportunity for Lou Gramm, ultimately shaping his future success with Foreigner.