Zoneboy
06-19-2009, 11:11 AM
Link (http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/news_details/article/177/2009/june/19/huey-lewis-and-news-still-enjoy-making-their-music-1.html)
Success is often fleeting and for most elusive in the entertainment business.
Huey Lewis is well aware of how difficult it is to be on top in the world of music, film and theater.
“The minority have great things happen to them in this industry,” Lewis says. “That’s why I’ve always appreciated it. I’ve been fortunate. I know how hard it is when you’re not doing that well.”
Huey Lewis and the News formed 30 years ago in San Francisco. For the first three years, the group, which featured Lewis as a vocalist, was a struggling bar band.
“We went through some interesting times, but it was all good since we always enjoyed making music,” says Lewis. “We weren’t dreaming of big things. We just wanted to play.”
However, everything changed for the group when the single “Do You Believe in Love” hit the Billboard Top Ten Single chart in 1982.
“It was something I’ll never forget,” Lewis says. “I had no idea what that feeling was like when you get a hit — and we experienced it.”
Huey Lewis and the News experienced that again and again.
“Do You Believe in Love” became the first of their many top 10 hits. “Heart and Soul,” “I Want a New Drug” and “If This Is It” followed and were ubiquitous throughout the mid-1980s. “The Power of Love” hit the top of the charts. The band’s breakthrough album, 1983’s “Sports,” has been certified seven times platinum.
The gritty little club act became an arena rock monster, which enjoyed endless MTV play throughout the mid-’80s and sold more than 20 million albums.
“It was the greatest time,” says Lewis. “We were on this huge wave and just enjoyed the whole thing. That stuff doesn’t last forever.”
By the time the Clinton era commenced, the hits were gone. The group has released just two studio albums over the last 17 years. However, Lewis and the News, which will perform Saturday at the Atlantic City Hilton, still delivers the hits live annually.
“We’re still a rock-solid band,” says Lewis. “We do 70 shows a year and we play hard. It’s all us. We don’t use click tracks. We get out there and just nail it live. It’s as much fun as it was back in the day.”
Advertisement The band, which includes original members Sean Hopper (keyboardist), Johnny Colla (guitarist-saxophonist) and Bill Gibson (drummer), keeps the crowd’s attention, thanks to its plethora of familiar material.
“We’re fortunate that we have these songs people just want to keep coming back to,” says Lewis. “They want to hear those songs. It takes them back and the great thing is that we’re not a shadow of ourselves.
“We maintained that level that we had before we ever had a hit. That’s something that we didn’t lose. If we did, I would be too embarrassed to even step on a stage. But we go up there and play hard and we play the songs you remember. It’s a great situation for me. I’m in this band for a third of a year and then I have time for other projects.”
Lewis, 59, toils as an actor while on hiatus. The playful and energetic performer made his Broadway debut three and a half years ago in “Chicago,” starring as attorney Billy Flynn.
“Broadway is one of the all-time great thrills,” says Lewis. “It was amazing but I worked my way up to that point.”
In 1993, Lewis earned a Golden Globe award for his performance in the Robert Altman classic “Shortcuts.” He shared the screen with Gwyneth Paltrow in 2000’s “Duets.” Lewis and Paltrow, who played his daughter in the film, recorded a cover of a Smokey Robinson classic, “Cruisin’,” which topped Billboard’s adult contemporary chart nine years ago.
“That’s one of my all-time highlights,” says Lewis. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Appearances on sitcoms such as “Just Shoot Me” and “King of Queens” are among Lewis’ many credits.
“I think I’ve kept it interesting,” Lewis says. “I’ve been fortunate. I love the fact that I’ve always had good work to do and it’s been eclectic.”
Success is often fleeting and for most elusive in the entertainment business.
Huey Lewis is well aware of how difficult it is to be on top in the world of music, film and theater.
“The minority have great things happen to them in this industry,” Lewis says. “That’s why I’ve always appreciated it. I’ve been fortunate. I know how hard it is when you’re not doing that well.”
Huey Lewis and the News formed 30 years ago in San Francisco. For the first three years, the group, which featured Lewis as a vocalist, was a struggling bar band.
“We went through some interesting times, but it was all good since we always enjoyed making music,” says Lewis. “We weren’t dreaming of big things. We just wanted to play.”
However, everything changed for the group when the single “Do You Believe in Love” hit the Billboard Top Ten Single chart in 1982.
“It was something I’ll never forget,” Lewis says. “I had no idea what that feeling was like when you get a hit — and we experienced it.”
Huey Lewis and the News experienced that again and again.
“Do You Believe in Love” became the first of their many top 10 hits. “Heart and Soul,” “I Want a New Drug” and “If This Is It” followed and were ubiquitous throughout the mid-1980s. “The Power of Love” hit the top of the charts. The band’s breakthrough album, 1983’s “Sports,” has been certified seven times platinum.
The gritty little club act became an arena rock monster, which enjoyed endless MTV play throughout the mid-’80s and sold more than 20 million albums.
“It was the greatest time,” says Lewis. “We were on this huge wave and just enjoyed the whole thing. That stuff doesn’t last forever.”
By the time the Clinton era commenced, the hits were gone. The group has released just two studio albums over the last 17 years. However, Lewis and the News, which will perform Saturday at the Atlantic City Hilton, still delivers the hits live annually.
“We’re still a rock-solid band,” says Lewis. “We do 70 shows a year and we play hard. It’s all us. We don’t use click tracks. We get out there and just nail it live. It’s as much fun as it was back in the day.”
Advertisement The band, which includes original members Sean Hopper (keyboardist), Johnny Colla (guitarist-saxophonist) and Bill Gibson (drummer), keeps the crowd’s attention, thanks to its plethora of familiar material.
“We’re fortunate that we have these songs people just want to keep coming back to,” says Lewis. “They want to hear those songs. It takes them back and the great thing is that we’re not a shadow of ourselves.
“We maintained that level that we had before we ever had a hit. That’s something that we didn’t lose. If we did, I would be too embarrassed to even step on a stage. But we go up there and play hard and we play the songs you remember. It’s a great situation for me. I’m in this band for a third of a year and then I have time for other projects.”
Lewis, 59, toils as an actor while on hiatus. The playful and energetic performer made his Broadway debut three and a half years ago in “Chicago,” starring as attorney Billy Flynn.
“Broadway is one of the all-time great thrills,” says Lewis. “It was amazing but I worked my way up to that point.”
In 1993, Lewis earned a Golden Globe award for his performance in the Robert Altman classic “Shortcuts.” He shared the screen with Gwyneth Paltrow in 2000’s “Duets.” Lewis and Paltrow, who played his daughter in the film, recorded a cover of a Smokey Robinson classic, “Cruisin’,” which topped Billboard’s adult contemporary chart nine years ago.
“That’s one of my all-time highlights,” says Lewis. “There’s no doubt about that.”
Appearances on sitcoms such as “Just Shoot Me” and “King of Queens” are among Lewis’ many credits.
“I think I’ve kept it interesting,” Lewis says. “I’ve been fortunate. I love the fact that I’ve always had good work to do and it’s been eclectic.”