Huey Lewis & The News
Biography
Huey Lewis and the News is an American rock band based in San Francisco, California. They had a string of hit singles during the 1980s and early 1990s, ultimately achieving 19 top-ten singles across the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Mainstream Rock charts. Their sound combines elements of rock, new wave, rhythm and blues, and doo-wop.
Formation and Early Years
The origins of the band date back to the early 1970s with the Bay Area jazz-funk band Clover, which included singer/harmonica player Huey Lewis and keyboardist Sean Hopper. After Clover disbanded in the late 1970s, Lewis and Hopper began jamming at a Marin County bar. They joined with former members of the rival band Soundhole—Mario Cipollina (bass), Johnny Colla (saxophone, guitar), and Bill Gibson (drums)—to form American Express. After adding lead guitarist Chris Hayes and securing a record deal with Chrysalis Records in 1980, they changed their name to Huey Lewis and the News.
The band's self-titled debut album was released in 1980, followed by "Picture This" in 1982. The second album featured the hit single "Do You Believe in Love," which gained them national attention.
Rise to Stardom with "Sports"
The band's third album, "Sports," released in 1983, catapulted them to international fame. The album, combined with popular music videos on MTV, became a massive success. It generated four top-10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: "Heart and Soul," "I Want a New Drug," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," and "If This Is It." "Sports" has sold over 10 million copies in the United States alone.
Continued Success and "Back to the Future"
In 1985, the band's fame grew even more when their song "The Power of Love" was featured in the blockbuster film "Back to the Future." The track became a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. Their fourth album, "Fore!" (1986), also reached number one and included the number-one singles "Stuck with You" and "Jacob's Ladder," as well as the popular "Hip to Be Square." The band continued to release albums and tour throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, including "Small World" (1988) and "Hard at Play" (1991).
Band Members
The classic lineup of Huey Lewis and the News consisted of Huey Lewis (lead vocals, harmonica), Johnny Colla (guitar, saxophone, backing vocals), Bill Gibson (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Sean Hopper (keyboards, backing vocals), Chris Hayes (guitar, backing vocals), and Mario Cipollina (bass). Over the years, the lineup has seen some changes, with Cipollina leaving in 1995 and Hayes in 2000. John Pierce joined on bass in 1995.
Later Years and Huey Lewis's Health
The band has continued to tour and record music, releasing albums such as "Plan B" (2001), the Stax Records tribute "Soulsville" (2010), and "Weather" (2020). In 2018, all touring and recording were halted after it was revealed that Huey Lewis was suffering from Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder that causes severe hearing loss. This condition has made it impossible for him to hear music frequencies and maintain vocal pitch. Despite his hearing loss, a musical inspired by the band's hits, "The Heart of Rock and Roll," was announced in 2023.