Huey Lewis & The News Biography

Huey Lewis and the News emerged as an iconic rock band in the 1980s, achieving widespread acclaim thanks to a string of hits, including the unforgettable "The Power of Love," which featured prominently in the blockbuster film Back to the Future. The band’s origins trace back to the late 1970s, when Huey Lewis, fresh off the disbandment of Clover, formed a new group in 1979. Initially called Huey Lewis and the American Express, the band was forced to change its name after the credit card company sued for trademark infringement.

The pivotal moment for Huey Lewis and the News came with their second album, Picture This, released in 1982, which featured the hit single “Do You Believe in Love.” The following year, their third album, Sports, marked a significant breakthrough, selling over ten million copies in the United States and featuring beloved tracks like "Heart of Rock & Roll" and "I Want a New Drug." This surge in popularity continued with the release of Fore! in 1986, which produced additional chart-topping singles such as "Stuck with You" and "Jacob's Ladder." The band's ability to blend pop, rhythm & blues, and rock characterized their sound, earning them a loyal fan base.

Their success was amplified by the enduring legacy of "The Power of Love," which not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song in 1986. In total, Huey Lewis and the News amassed 19 top ten singles across various Billboard charts during the 1980s and early 1990s. The band’s other notable hits from this era include "If This Is It," "Hip to Be Square," and "Doing It All for My Baby," all of which solidified their place in the annals of rock music.

After enjoying unprecedented success through the late '80s and early '90s, including the release of Small World in 1988 and Hard at Play in 1991, the band took a step back from the spotlight. In 1994, they released a collection of cover songs, but it wasn't until 2010 that they returned to the studio with Soulsville, their first studio album in a decade. Despite not releasing any new albums since, the band hinted in 2016 about having a considerable amount of new material for a forthcoming album.

Huey Lewis and the News celebrated their 25th anniversary with the live album Live at 25 in 2004 and later co-headlined a tour with Chicago in 2006. They remained active in various performances until 2018, when touring came to a halt due to Huey Lewis's diagnosis of Ménière's disease, an inner ear condition that affects hearing and balance.

Despite these challenges, the band’s legacy endures. With more than thirty million records sold worldwide, they have received numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "The Heart of Rock 'n' Roll" in 1986 and thirty Bay Area Music Awards. Their music continues to resonate with fans old and new, a testament to the powerful and enduring influence of Huey Lewis and the News in the music industry. Their 2020 album, Weather, features material recorded prior to Lewis's hearing loss, serving as a poignant reminder of their prolific contributions to rock music.