THUNDER BAY – Foreigner has never been in heavy rotation on Breanne Yesno’s music playlist.
But that didn’t stop the 17-year-old St. Patrick High School student from jumping at the chance to join the ‘70s and ‘80s legends on stage on Monday night at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium to sing backing vocals along with the school choir on the band’s 1984 No. 1 hit, I Wanna Know What Love Is.
“It was kind of surreal. It was super exciting,” the Grade 12 student said. “I expected to be nervous, but I was really excited and they made it super cool.”
They earned the chance in a city-wide competition, facing off against fellow Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board rival St. Ignatius, winning the contest, sponsored by Rock 94, after learning the song, making a video and promoting it to the public on social media.
“It was a lot of hard work,” Yesno said. “Our choir teacher really made us work hard for it. We practiced during school two or three days a week. It was really surreal.”
The youngster admitted she was a little familiar with Foreigner, but certainly was no expert on their expansive catalogue, which on Monday night saw the British-American act trot out crowd favourites like Cold as Ice, Hot Blooded, I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl Like You, and Urgent.
“You know a few songs here and there, like Juke Box Hero. You know the big ones, like It Feels Like the First Time. But that was pretty much it for me,” Yesno said.
“It was still super exciting because we kind of had to learn about them, which was good to do before you went up there.”
Founded in 1976 by Mick Jones and Ian McDonald, the band sold more than 80 million records with Lou Gramm singing vocals.
Jones, who was not present at the Thunder Bay show, is the only original band member left. Foreigner is fronted by Kelly Hansen, and features Thom Gimbel, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, guitarist Bruce Watson, drummer Chris Frazier and bassist Jeff Pilson.
Fifteen-year-old Reece Cates was thrilled to have the chance to sing with Foreigner, a group her parents introduced her to in her younger years.
“It was crazy. I was pumped with adrenaline and it was so much fun. Music has always been a part of my life,” the 15-year-old said.
“It was everything I listened to growing up. My parents listened to it and it’s just a whole different level now.”
Music teacher and vocal director Alana Valente said it was a lot of work, adding they've been working toward this night since just after the Christmas break.
"They had to learn the song, perform it, do the video, edit it and all that stuff. And then it was based on votes and how you marketed your video and we came out on top, so it's awesome," said Valente, adding it didn't take much to pump up her students.
"They were just really into it and the chance to perform live with professionals. Some of these kids, that's what they want, what they aspire to be, so it was great to give them that opportunity and first-hand experience."
Hansen, who joined Foreigner in 2005, told the almost sold-out crowd they invite student choirs to sing with them as a way to help promote the importance of musical education in schools.
