I'm with you there, Zach! I got hooked on Huely Lewis and The News when I first saw "Back To The Future" and heard "The Power of Love". Out of all the arena rock bands of the 80s, there are only a few that stand out as being above the rest and Huely Lewis and The News are one of those bands.

These are some of my favorite songs by Huely Lewis and The News: "Heart of Rock And Roll", "If This is It?", "Do You Believe In Love" and "Heart And Soul".

Here's a little bit of rock trivia for you: Huely sang the opening song for the 1988 Disney film "Oliver And Company".

I do miss reading your responses to my commets on people like Leadbelly and Louis Jordan.

Posted by Andrew on Monday, 03/4/2013 @ 22:06pm

Sorry I haven't been responding to any of your comments lately, Andrew. I've actually just started hosting my own radio show for my college's online radio station. I started the gig a month ago and would be happy to share a link so you can listen. I broadcast live every Thursday from 2:00-4:00 P.M., and then the show is repeated Saturday nights from 6:00-8:00 P.M. Tomorrow I'll be playing selections from Dizzy Gillespie, David Bowie (in honor of his return), T-Bone Walker, T-Rex, Pat Benatar, Billy Murray (one of my latest discoveries), Willie Nelson, and Mott the Hoople, to name some.

I too discovered Huey Lewis & The News through Back to the Future. I always thought Huey's cameo was amusing, especially when he chastises the Pinheads' rendition of Back in Time for being too loud. I thought it was pretty clever how Back in Time got worked into a scene in BTTF.

My favorite HLN songs are Giving It All Up For Love, Tell Me A Little Lie (both from the 1982 album Picture This), Finally Found A Home, If This Is It, The Heart of Rock & Roll, Bad Is Bad (all from Sports), Simple As That, I Know What I Like, Doing It All For My Baby, and Forest For The Trees (all from Fore!). Overall, I'd rank Huey Lewis & The News as my 4th favorite act of the 1980s and 15th overall favorite act.

I've never commented on the Leadbelly page mainly because I don't like his music (I only comment on the pages of artists I dislike if they are offensively bad). It's not awful; it just sounds too archaic for my taste, and this is coming from someone who loves early American traditional pop from the 1900s and 1910s, like Henry Burr and Billy Murray. He did write some classics, but his minimalistic versions pale in comparison to others' covers (Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard both recorded stellar covers of Goodnight, Irene). The Weavers' version is cornball personified. I try to give every genre a fair shot, but folk leaves me bored every time.

Leadbelly apparently once declared that could beat Cab Calloway singing every time. Not even close. Calloway had a vibrant on-stage presence and hired some of the best musicians for his orchestra. Not to mention that you can actually decipher what Calloway is singing. Leadbelly's singing often sounded somnambulistic and lifeless. Calloway had a lively, spirited voice and could sing straight just as well as he could sing comically.

There aren't enough superlatives for Louis Jordan. He is easily the most significant early influence on the development of rock 'n roll. Only Hank Williams, Sr., T-Bone Walker, Les Paul, Wynonie Harris, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Mills Brothers, and perhaps 1 or 2 other names give him any real competition for that title.

Posted by Zach on Wednesday, 03/13/2013 @ 23:09pm

That is so cool that you have your own radio show, Zach! If you could send me a link to your show, I would love that.

Lastly, you can respond to my comments whenever you have the time. Just so you know, I've posted some new comments on The Supremes, The Drifters, and Bob Dylan.

Posted by Andrew on Thursday, 03/14/2013 @ 11:16am

Hope You Love Me Like You Say You Do * Workin For A Livin * Do You Believe In Love * The Heart Of Rock And Roll * Heart And Soul * I Want A New Drug * If This Is It * Bad Is Bad * The Power Of Love * Back In Time * Stuck With You * Hip To Be Square * Doing It All For My Baby * Jacobs Ladder * Perfect World * Small World * Couple Days Off * It Hit Me Like A Hammer * He Don't Know * But It's Alright * She's Some Kind Of Wonderful * Let Her Go And Start Over

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 10/23/2013 @ 11:14am

the group had a lot of success back in the 80s i bought and used records by huey for my wife pam, do you believe in love,doin it all for my baby,jacobs ladder. im applying for jobs next spring as a guidance counselor, im several states. the story of jacobs ladder is in the bible which i use.

Posted by john jarvis on Wednesday, 06/18/2014 @ 15:08pm

I would say NO to Huey Lewis & The News for RRHOF. They had a successful 1980's string of hits Power Of Love, If This Is It, Back On Time, Heart and Soul. Very good band with longevity. I think they fall short of induction. I don't know how revolutionary their music was...Solid rock & pop songs. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 05/11/2015 @ 00:02am

Huey Lewis and the News

01. Huey Lewis (vocals, harmonica; Clover)
02. Sean Hopper (keyboards; Clover)
03. Chris Hayes (guitar)
04. Johnny Colla (guitar, saxophone)
05. Mario Cipollina (bass guitar)
06. Bill Gibson (drums)

Posted by Roy on Monday, 08/31/2015 @ 00:28am

This band is AWSOME. And they should be in for more reasons than so many reasons. They posses many more than other bands that are in. But being negative about other bands that did get in is not their style. So I won't so it here. Let's make it easy. Just Check here: HLN have sold over 35
MILLION albums. Check. They still tour after 35 years. Check. They are still together without any major drama. Same band. Check. They are one of the biggest selling bands in the world over a decade (80s). Check. They have multiple number ones and over 15 top 10s. Check. They sing acapella. Check. They write all their own songs and play their own instruments. Check ( amazing i need to add this category but i do, Bc many in the hall did not). Everyone who knows music can sing at least 5 songs by heart. Check. Fabric of American Rock. Check.

Posted by Michael on Sunday, 05/1/2016 @ 23:37pm

They are going to be at Shakey Knees Music fest in Atlanta in a couple weeks (which I will be attending). I have never really liked this band, but I might check them out (if whomever is playing against them is worse).

Posted by Paul in KY on Monday, 05/2/2016 @ 07:49am

Saw Huey at Loufest last weekend. Unfortunately I wasn't there for his set, but I did catch him later that night when he took part of the all-star Chuck Berry jam. Huey did say plenty of kind words to the late, first RRHOFer and performed "Rock and Roll Music". If anyone remembers, Chuck is featured at the end of the "Heart of Rock and Roll" video. Still holding a grudge that Huey didn't mention St. Louis in that song (laughs).

Will Huey ever make it into the Hall? Its hard telling at this point. Him and the News have been eligible for at least a decade. They've got plenty of radio hits, most of them from the 80s. A local paper interviewed Huey and he said some great quotes about the current state of music industry as well as predicting his own fate (as in, when the hits would stop). Either way, Huey still tours on the road, mostly hitting up small festivals and casinos. Hope to see him again soon.

Posted by Jason Voigt on Friday, 09/15/2017 @ 00:27am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDsLwoX8uN8

Huge Hearing Loss Forces Huey Lewis Off Tour - Is It Over?

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 04/15/2018 @ 11:08am

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/huey-lewis-cancels-2018-tour-dates-due-to-hearing-loss-w519131

Huey Lewis and the News Cancel 2018 Shows Due to Singer's Hearing Loss

"I can't hear music well enough to sing," Lewis says of Meniere's disease battle

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 04/15/2018 @ 11:09am

I would say no but then you look at Hall & Oates getting in somehow. If it does happen, Christian Bale should do their introduction

Posted by ernesto on Saturday, 05/12/2018 @ 19:09pm

Not gonna happen. But if they do get in at some point, then Christopher Lloyd should be their inductor. “The Power of Love” was featured on the Back to the Future trilogy.

Posted by The Dude on Friday, 07/20/2018 @ 10:40am

They do not meet the criteria for induction into the HOF.
Especially as there is a backlog of more deserving acts.

Posted by Mark on Friday, 07/20/2018 @ 18:17pm

Mario Cipollina is the younger brother of John Cipollina of Quicksilver Messenger Service.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 07/21/2018 @ 15:11pm

Saw them in concert.They rocked. Had a blast. Hope he has a speedy recovery. Would love to see them again.

Posted by Donna on Wednesday, 11/13/2019 @ 07:43am

Think they were both more popular and more influential than a prior inductee such as Green Day.

Posted by anon on Tuesday, 01/28/2020 @ 21:41pm

https://ultimateclassicrock.com/huey-lewis-weather-hearing-loss/

Huey Lewis Recorded New 'Weather' Album Before Hearing Loss

Posted by The Dude on Thursday, 02/20/2020 @ 15:40pm

THE BILLBOARD 200 ALBUMS CHART

HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS

01. 1980: # 203 – Huey Lewis And The News
02. 1982: # 13 – Picture This
03. 1983: # 1 – Sports
04. 1986: # 1 – Fore!
05. 1988: # 11 – Small World
06. 1991: # 27 – Hard At Play
07. 1992: # NA – The Heart Of Rock & Roll – The Best Of Huey Lewis And The News
08. 1994: # 55 – Four Chords & Several Years Ago
09. 1996: # 185 – Time Flies… The Best Of Huey Lewis & The News
10. 2001: # 165 – Plan B
11. 2005: # NA – Live At 25
12. 2006: # 61 – Greatest Hits
13. 2010: # 121 – Soulsville
14. 2020: # 71 – Weather

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02/27/2020 @ 14:52pm

I think if The Cars and Cheap Trick are enshrined then Huey Lewis & The News should also be inducted. Huey and Friends dominated the 1980's so many hit songs. I've read 19 Top 10 songs. Very impressive in the music industry. A songbook in my adolescent years.
Power Of Love probably my FAV Huey Lewis song. Heart And Soul
a close second. My guess Huey's hearing loss situation similar to Dave Mustaine's cancer diagnosis and treatment will make the Committee evaluate and realize the solid credentials of Huey Lewis and Megadeth. Both will be on my October 2020 Nomination list. Huey Lewis & The News avoided the pitfalls and traps that have destroyed successful rock groups. With Bryan Adams, Duran Duran, The Eurythmics, Tina Turner (Solo), Huey Lewis & The News appear next in line for nomination and induction. What are your FAV 3 Huey Lewis songs? KING

Posted by KING on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 13:11pm

Sorry (not sorry), NO ONE named Huey should be in the R&RHoF!
#lightweight
#playingthesympathycardsucks
#bryanadamsevenworse

Posted by KXB on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 13:32pm

I hate it when FRL regulars play the sympathy cards cause I'm a whiny asshole with no substance.

#I'mapussywhoisbornwithoutapenis

Posted by KXB on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 13:58pm

Saw Huey & the boys at one of the last Loufests. Must say it was an entertaining set. In late afternoon in a parking lot. Remember his lead guitarist was really good. Probably no Hall for him & band.

Posted by Paul in KY on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 14:09pm

At least I came up with my OWN handle, you sexist pile of hog rendering (from two posts back)!
#nothewannabeKXB

Posted by The (Real) KXB on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 14:21pm

I hate it when trolls make fun of me cause I'm a social justice warrior who loves political correctness. I'm so wimpy!

#I'mapussyisbornwithoutapenis

Posted by The (Real) KXB on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 14:35pm

I love it when a trolls owns a troll. It's so entertaining, and whoever did it is hilariously out there.

Posted by The Dude on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 14:46pm

1. I Want a New Drug
2. Hip to Be Square
3. Workin' for a Livin'

The rest of it all sounds the same. Sorry, KING.

Posted by joker on Tuesday, 03/3/2020 @ 17:07pm

The entire R&R HOF is a total JOKE. The process in which nominees are selected is biased and corrupt. I am amazed every year with the names that should never be nominated, and then the ones that should have 20 years ago. Look at HLN and there body of work over 40 years. Countless top 40 hits and a following that allowed them to tour until 2018 when Huey lost his hearing. again TOTAL JOKE.

Posted by clarence kaye on Wednesday, 02/10/2021 @ 07:42am

Your list of Essential Huey Lewis is woefully incomplete. Albums should include Four at least and maybe Small World. Songs: Bad is Bad, Doing It All For My Baby, Working For A Living, Heart & Soul, Stuck With You, Couple Days Off, It's Alright, and Naturally. There are many more.

Posted by Mike Heinrich on Wednesday, 06/16/2021 @ 09:56am

Plan B from 2001 is now on iTunes.

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/26/2022 @ 17:36pm

I WANT A NEW DEAL
Huey Lewis and the News Sell Catalog for Reported $20 Million
The deal includes all of their music recorded through 1994, including mega hits "The Power of Love," "I Want a New Drug," and "Hip To Be Square"
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/huey-lewis-and-the-news-sell-catalog-20-million-1234622343/

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 11/1/2022 @ 23:22pm

Huey Lewis and the News are icons. With all the great music that came out of the 80s, they have stood the test of time. They have been innovative, drama free and fan friendly. I think it's important for band members to be acknowledged while they are here to enjoy the honor. Afterall, it is a team effort. I hope they considered some day soon. Thanks!!!

Posted by Michele Govea on Thursday, 11/10/2022 @ 18:50pm

There is no doubt that they were one of the biggest groups of the 80's. Great live performers! Numerous #1 hits, and many top 15 hits. So much better that a ton of people who have already been inducted. Doesn't make any sense to me! Really, Eminem gets in this year and and still no Huey?!?! Garbage!!!

Posted by Mike Mueller on Sunday, 11/13/2022 @ 01:58am

You like Huey Lewis and the News?Their early work was a little too new wave for my taste. But when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor. In '87, Huey released this; Fore!, their most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is "Hip To Be Square". A song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of trends. It's also a personal statement about the band itself. HEY PAUL


(suprised no one made this joke already)

Posted by Will M on Tuesday, 01/10/2023 @ 20:52pm

They are marginal worthy for rock hall.

Posted by power on Thursday, 07/13/2023 @ 12:18pm