Will "The News" go on without Huey?

The first time I heard the name "Huey Lewis and the News" was when a friend asked me if I wanted to go see them in concert. It was 1981. I looked at him and asked, "Who the heck is Huey Lewis and The News?" In '81 I was listening bands like: REO Speedwagon, Styx, The Police and Journey. The name made me think a band from the 50's. I told my friend I would pass. It was a decision I lived to regret.

Later that summer I was driving with some friends listening to the radio and a song came on with an amazing horn section (unlike anything I had heard on a pop station before.) The catchy hook went... "Do you believe in. Do you believe it's true?" I turned up the radio and asked, "Wow...how's this?" My friend answered, "That's Huey Lewis and the News." Instant regret about turning down that invitation to go to the show.

Huey and his news went on to have a string of hits including: "Hope you love me like you say I do" "Workin' for a livin'" "Heart & Soul" "Heart of rock n' roll" and the list goes on and on. I grew to love their music and the fact that the band never made bad press. A business suit wearing band that cranked out great music, toured the world and was loved by millions.

He was born Hugh Anthony Cregg III in New York City in 1950, but was raised in Marin Country California. At age 13, his parents divorced after his mom had an affair with Lew Welch, a Beat Generation poet. Lew became his step dad and had major influence on him in his teenage years. It could be said that that influence led him to hitchhike across the US and then stow away on a plane to Europe. While there, Huey learned to play harmonica and became an accomplished blues player. He eventually had his first concert which raised enough money for a "real" plane ticket back to the US.

Once back in the states, he wound up in San Francisco and joined the band Clover. He took the stage name Huey Louis. Clover, a folk rock band, had mild success and decided to try to make it in Los Angeles. Their act was caught by singer Nick Lowe, who suggested they take their show to Great Britain. In 1976 they took their folk rock sound "across the pond" but for Clover, they were a bit late. In 1976, the punk scene had arrived... a day late and a dollar short. The band headed back to the state very disappointed.

In 1978, Clover broke up and Huey played harmonica for a few bands including Thin Lizzy. That same year he played at a club called Uncle Charlie's with the what would later become "The News" band members. They took on the name "Huey Lewis and The American Express" but later had to change the name when AMEX threatened a lawsuit. Guitarists Chris Hayes came up with "The News" as the new name and in 1980 their self-titled album debuted.

But now, Huey is unable to sing... well, let me correct that... he can STILL sing, but he has lost his hearing. It's called Meniere's disease which can cause dizzy spells (called vertigo) a ringing in ear and leads to hearing loss. It can come and go, but eventually it ends in total deafness. He says he has good days and bad days and assigns them a number. The news of this disease put Huey in a deep depression and he even admitted that he had suicidal thoughts. The one thing he loved to do was taken from him. His entire life was spent singing with a group of guys that were his family... and now... he had to leave that family.

He eventually realized that suicide was a selfish act and took to Twitter in 2018 to let his fans know that all Huey Lewis and The News concert would be cancelled. He shared his diagnosis of the disease. Many were disappointed and rightfully so. One thing I did rectify was seeing the band live... 3 times and each time that did NOT disappoint.

So what does the future hold for Huey? Will The News tour without their front man? Not likely. But the band had one more thing to do... produce what will be their last album. On Valentine's Day "Weather" was released. Huey sounds great... his lows are a little tired sounding, but when he punches it... it's the same old Huey we grew to love.

"Weather" is getting great reviews by the critics, but it's unlikely that a final tour with him as the lead singer will happen. However, there has been talk about a tour where Huey would tell the stories about the band's songs while another front man sings them. Huey would wear noise cancelling headphones while the band played. I'm still weighing in on whether this would do well.

We'll have to wait to see what he and the band decide.