Benjamin Ashford|Foreigner founder Mick Jones reveals Parkinson's diagnosis amid farewell tour absences

Foreigner founder Mick Jones has announced his ongoing absences from the band's farewell tour,Benjamin Ashford which began in 2022, has been due to a recent diagnosis.

"Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease," Jones revealed in a statement shared on social media Wednesday. "I want everyone to know that I am doing alright. However, I’ve always liked to be at my best when performing onstage, and sadly, at present, I find that a bit difficult."

The 79-year-old musician behind hits "Feels Like the First Time" and "I Want to Know What Love Is" added that he is "still very much involved in the background with Foreigner and remain a presence."

"Parkinson’s is a daily struggle; the important thing is to persevere and remind myself of the wonderful career I’ve had in music," Jones added. "I thank all the fans who have supported Foreigner throughout the years and continue to attend our concerts — I want you to know I appreciate your support; it always means so very much to me, but especially so at this point in my life."

The Foreigner frontman's stepson and fellow musician Mark Ronson reposted Jones' statement to his Instagram Story. "I'm so proud and lucky to have grown up with this brave, honest, beautiful man," Ronson wrote.

Jones' announcement comes a week after Foreigner received their first nomination for the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The inductees will be announced in late April, with the ceremony returning to Cleveland this fall and again streaming live on Disney+.

To be eligible for a nomination, the artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years before the year of nomination.

Foreigner made the list after a big campaign push from Ronson, Jack Black, Josh Homme, Slash, Dave Grohl and Chad Smith.

"Everything that made me want to be a record producer came from being in the studio watching Foreigner make records," Ronson wrote on social media Tuesday. "I’m still completely in awe of the sound of those first five albums. Guitars with swagger and bite. Heavy drums that groove like a mutha with the bass. Wide layers of synths. And then there’s that voice. And those songs. It’s really crazy."

"It’s also kind of crazy that this is the first time they’ve ever been on the ballot for the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame - after 20 years of eligibility," he added, alongside videos of the various musicians singing praise for Foreigner and calling for fans to vote the band in.

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Jones has made space onstage appearances with Foreigner over this past tour, but the band is currently led by bassist Jeff Pilson and frontman Kelly Hansen, who joined in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

After having heart surgery in 2012, Jones told Billboard it was a "tough" call on whether the band would continue without him.

"I look at it as a team. If you think about any kind of sports teams, they change players all the time," he said. "The thought of my music carrying on in that way has some appeal to me."

Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri

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