Now: Huey Lewis – The Heart of American Rock & Roll

Huey Lewis and the News became one of America's definitive pop-rock bands of the 1980s, blending rock, soul, and R&B into a massively successful sound. Hailing from San Francisco, the group achieved global fame with their multi-platinum 1983 album "Sports," which spawned a string of Top 10 hits and defined the era's mainstream rock.

Early career

Huey Lewis, born Hugh Anthony Cregg III in 1950 in New York City, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1970s. His first major musical step was joining the jazz-rock band Clover, which found moderate success in the UK and even backed Elvis Costello on his debut album. After Clover dissolved, Lewis formed Huey Lewis and the News in 1979, combining members from Clover and the local band Soundhole, and they quickly signed with Chrysalis Records.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough arrived in 1983 with their third studio album, "Sports." Released on Chrysalis, the album was a commercial juggernaut, eventually selling over 10 million copies in the United States alone and peaking at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Its success was driven by relentless touring and a series of clever, well-produced music videos that dominated the then-new MTV network.

Key tracks

The Heart of Rock & Roll — This anthem, celebrating the vitality of American rock music across various cities, became one of the band's signature songs and a staple of classic rock radio.

I Want a New Drug — The song's iconic synth riff and driving beat led to massive chart success, though it became more widely known for its legal connection to the "Ghostbusters" film soundtrack.

If This Is It — A smooth, soulful ballad that showcased the band's versatility and earned them significant adult contemporary airplay, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Power of Love — Featured in the blockbuster film "Back to the Future," this track became the band's first and only number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing their place in pop culture history.

Hip to Be Square — A later hit from 1986's "Fore!" album, its satirical take on conformity and polished sound marked the peak of the band's commercial and cultural influence.

Following the monumental success of "Sports," the 1986 album "Fore!" continued their hit-making streak, achieving quadruple-platinum status. The band earned a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Music Video, Long Form for "The Heart of Rock & Roll," and their collaboration with other artists, like their work on the "We Are the World" single, highlighted their industry respect.

For fans of Huey Lewis and the News, other American rock acts with a similar blend of pop craftsmanship and rock energy include Eddie Money, who shared a blue-collar rock style and a string of radio-friendly hits. The Doobie Brothers also offer a comparable mix of rock, R&B, and smooth vocal harmonies from the same Bay Area music scene. Listeners might also enjoy Robert Cray for his soulful guitar work and clean, blues-inflected sound. Finally, John Cougar Mellencamp delivers a similarly heartland-inspired rock approach with a strong narrative songwriting style.

Huey Lewis and the News maintain a strong presence on radio playlists today, particularly on classic rock FM stations and 80s-themed online radio streams. Their catalog of upbeat, expertly crafted songs continues to resonate, ensuring regular rotation across multiple formats that celebrate guitar-driven pop.

The music of Huey Lewis and the News can be heard regularly on the classic rock and 80s hits stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover or revisit the band's essential tracks by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com.