Double Vision

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Double Vision" by Foreigner from their iconic 1978 album of the same name, and Zoo Freaks, you're in for some cool trivia! Did you know the song's title was inspired by a hockey game? Lead singer Lou Gramm, a devoted New York Rangers fan, was in the studio when he caught a game on TV. During the match, Rangers goaltender John Davidson took a hard hit, and the announcer noted he was experiencing "double vision." Gramm's creative spark ignited, and he pitched the phrase to guitarist Mick Jones, who loved it. Though many fans interpreted the song as a nod to drinking or drugs, Gramm clarified in a 2015 interview with The Athletic that it was purely inspired by that hockey moment. Mick Jones later shared in a Songfacts interview, "I didn’t mind that [drug interpretation]. It wasn’t the intention, but that’s how a lot of people took it," adding a playful layer to the song’s legacy.

Another fun tidbit comes from the recording process. The band was struggling to find a hook for the track until Gramm’s hockey-inspired epiphany. Jones recalled in an email to The Athletic that the title "spurred us on to record the song and name the album after it." The song became a massive hit, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978, and it’s been a staple in Foreigner’s setlists ever since, often used as a show opener. The official Foreigner website even highlighted a unique fact about the album on X in 2024, noting that the track "Tramontane" from the Double Vision album is the band’s only instrumental studio recording to date. This blend of sports-inspired creativity and studio magic makes "Double Vision" a standout in rock history.

Now, let’s rewind to how Foreigner got their start. Formed in New York City in 1976, the band was the brainchild of British guitarist Mick Jones, who had previously played with Spooky Tooth and collaborated with artists like George Harrison. Jones connected with ex-King Crimson multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald and New York keyboardist Al Greenwood, and they began jamming with other musicians. After a fateful session, Jones met drummer Dennis Elliott and later discovered vocalist Lou Gramm through a Black Sheep album handed to him at a 1974 concert. Bassist Ed Gagliardi rounded out the original lineup. The band’s name, Foreigner, was a nod to the mix of British (Jones, McDonald, Elliott) and American (Gramm, Greenwood, Gagliardi) members, as Jones explained in a 2014 Daily Record interview: no matter where they played, half the band would be "foreigners."

Their self-titled debut album in 1977 was a smash, with hits like "Feels Like the First Time" and "Cold as Ice," selling millions and establishing them as rock heavyweights. By the time Double Vision dropped in 1978, Foreigner was a global force, with the album selling over seven million copies in the U.S. alone. Over the years, lineup changes occurred—Gramm left in 2003, and Jones has led a revamped lineup with vocalist Kelly Hansen since—but their legacy endures, with over 80 million records sold worldwide. In 2024, Foreigner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a testament to their lasting impact, as celebrated in a Loud Hailer Magazine review of their Charleston, WV, performance.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out Foreigner’s official website for tour dates, merch, and news. Connect with the band on social media via their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates and throwback posts, like their 2019 celebration of Double Vision’s 40th anniversary. Fans can also join the Foreigner Fans Facebook group to swap stories and concert pics, or visit fan-run sites like 4eigner.net for interviews and discography details. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks, and let "Double Vision" take you back to that gritty, glorious ‘70s vibe!