Ep 18. Huey Lewis & The News

From their origins as a small pub band to becoming one of America's most beloved rock groups, Huey Lewis & The News have captivated audiences with their catchy pop-rock sound for decades. In this episode of Behind The Music, we take a closer look at the band's journey to stardom and the challenges they faced along the way.

The episode begins with Huey Lewis discussing the band's early days performing in bars and clubs around the San Francisco Bay Area. Despite their raw talent and infectious energy, they struggled to get noticed by record labels. That all changed when they were discovered by legendary producer Bob Brown, who signed them to his new label, Chrysalis Records.

With Brown's guidance, Huey Lewis & The News recorded their debut album, featuring the hit songs "Do You Believe in Love" and "Some of My Lies are True (Sooner or Later)". The album was a commercial success, but the band's next album, 1983's "Sports", would be the one that catapulted them to superstardom.

Featuring chart-topping hits like "The Heart of Rock & Roll", "I Want a New Drug", and "If This is It", "Sports" became one of the biggest-selling albums of the decade, cementing Huey Lewis & The News' place as one of the most popular bands of the '80s. The band members reflect on the making of the album and the impact it had on their lives and careers.

But as their fame and success grew, so did the pressures and challenges they faced. Internal tensions and struggles with addiction threatened to tear the band apart, and they went through a period of turmoil and uncertainty in the late '80s and early '90s.

Huey Lewis & The News eventually regrouped and continued to make music, but their popularity waned in the face of changing musical trends. The show explores the band's efforts to adapt to a new landscape, including their decision to embrace electronic music on their 2001 album "Plan B".

Throughout the episode, archival footage and interviews with band members and other musicians provide an intimate look at Huey Lewis & The News' journey. Guests include Bob Seger, whose early support helped the band get their start, and Jimmy Buffett, who shares his memories of touring with Huey Lewis & The News in the early days.

The episode also explores Huey Lewis' personal life, including his relationships, his hobbies (including his love of golf), and his battle with Meniere's disease, which has caused him to lose much of his hearing in recent years. His bandmates and friends discuss the impact of the disease on his life and career, and Huey himself reflects on how he's coped with the challenges it has presented.

Overall, this episode of Behind The Music offers a fascinating glimpse into the rise, fall, and enduring legacy of Huey Lewis & The News. From their humble beginnings to their status as icons of '80s pop-rock, this band's story is one of perseverance, creativity, and the enduring power of great music.