The Dead Daisies Recruit Kelly Hansen, Unveil ‘Lift Me Up’ and 2027 World Tour

The Dead Daisies have a new voice. Former Foreigner frontman Kelly Hansen is the band’s new lead singer, and he arrives with a fresh single, “Lift Me Up,” a new album in the works and a world tour that starts in March 2027.

The Dead Daisies are back with new singer Kelly Hansen (centre, ex-Foreigner). A new album is in the works for 2027 followed by a tour. (PHOTO: Submitted)

Hansen spent 20 years fronting Foreigner before stepping away. He says he was always clear that leaving was not the end of his career.

“When I left Foreigner after 20 great years, I told everybody I wasn’t ‘retiring,’ just moving on to other things,” Hansen said. “This project gives me the opportunity to stretch out with some new melodies, a new vibe and fresh energy. We’re gonna rock it!”

A stacked lineup

Hansen (Foreigner, Hurricane) joins a roster built on hard rock pedigree:

  • Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) – lead guitar
  • David Lowy (MINK, Red Phoenix) – rhythm guitar
  • Tommy Clufetos (Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne) – drums
  • Jimi Crutchley (The Quireboys) – bass

For Aldrich, the move is a reunion. “It’s gonna be amazing to be onstage with Kelly again after all these years,” he said. “His vocal range is exceptional and he’s a badass frontman.”

“Lift Me Up”

The band is in the studio now, and “Lift Me Up” is the first track out of those sessions. Aldrich says it grew from a stripped-down riff and a heavy groove, with the melody building as the song took shape.

“It’s very melodic and the lyric reflects positively and a vibe to lift us up in these crazy times,” Aldrich said. “We’re working on more cool music for the album right now and I’m excited about where it’s heading.”

The official video is out now on YouTube.

On the road in 2027

The Dead Daisies will spend the rest of 2026 recording, then take the new material on an extended world tour. A 12-date Europe and UK run opens March 4 in Bochum, Germany, with The Quireboys and The Gems as special guests. A US spring leg follows from April 30 to May 15, with BulletBoys and The Fell (featuring Billy Sheehan) in support. A Scandinavian run is set for September, and more dates are still to be announced.

The band promises a set that mixes the new songs with fan favourites.

“Kelly has slotted in and it just feels right,” said Lowy. “We’ve got a killer record taking shape and looking forward to a big year of touring ahead. Bring on 2027!”

Tickets for the Europe and UK dates are on sale now at thedeaddaisies.com. US and Scandinavian on-sale dates are still to come.

2027 tour dates

Europe & UK – March

With special guests The Quireboys and The Gems. Tickets on sale now.

Date Venue City
March 4 Zeche Bochum, Germany
March 5 Effenaar Eindhoven, Netherlands
March 6 Gruenspan Hamburg, Germany
March 9 O2 Forum London, UK
March 10 Rock City Nottingham, UK
March 13 Élysée Montmartre Paris, France
March 14 Z7 Pratteln, Switzerland
March 16 Magazzini Generali Milan, Italy
March 17 Backstage Munich, Germany
March 19 Palác Akropolis Prague, Czech Republic
March 20 Columbia Theater Berlin, Germany
March 21 Batschkapp Frankfurt, Germany

USA spring tour – April/May

With special guests BulletBoys and The Fell (featuring Billy Sheehan). On-sale date to be announced.

Date Venue City
April 30 Mickey’s Black Box Lititz, PA
May 1 Tally Ho Theatre Leesburg, VA
May 2 TBA TBA
May 4 Wildey Theatre Edwardsville, IL
May 6 Arcada Theatre St. Charles, IL
May 7 Emerald Theatre Mount Clemens, MI
May 8 Lorain Palace Theatre Lorain, OH
May 11 Oriental Theater Denver, CO
May 13 Marquee Theatre Tempe, AZ
May 14 Fremont Country Club Las Vegas, NV
May 15 TBA Los Angeles, CA

Scandinavia – September

Venues and on-sale date to be announced.

Date City
September 9 Helsinki, Finland
September 10 Tampere, Finland
September 11 Oulu, Finland
September 13 Luleå, Sweden
September 14 Trondheim, Norway
September 15 Oslo, Norway
September 17 Stockholm, Sweden
September 18 Gothenburg, Sweden
September 19 Copenhagen, Denmark

More dates to be announced. For updates, visit thedeaddaisies.com.