The Heart And Soul

July 15, 2016

HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS

If you like contagious rock ’n’ roll that’s catchy enough to stick with you for days, you’ll dig Huey Lewis and the News — if you’re not already a fan. The group originated in California’s Bay Area back in 1979, just in time to catch the wave of blues-inspired ’80s rock as performed by similar bands like The Outfield and Mike and the Mechanics, but it’s Lewis’ distinctive vocals and stage presence that have helped this band sell 20 million albums and stand the test of time for 37 years.

Lewis attributes the band’s enduring appeal to one simple thing: truth. “I have no idea [of the reason for our success],” he explained. “I like to think that it’s because the songs ring true. After all, that is the most important element to popular music. I always say, when the man says he’s going to Kansas City, we have to believe that he’s going to Kansas City.”

Lewis and his band went from California to Kansas City and well beyond, then back to California — Hill Valley, to be exact — the fictional town where the Back to the Future movies were set. Two of Huey Lewis and the News’ biggest musical claims to fame were the pair of songs they contributed to the original Back to the Future soundtrack: “Back in Time” and “Power of Love” (No. 1 on Billboard’s singles chart), both of which ruled radio playlists during the time of the movie’s release.

With the renewed interest in the film, which was re-released theatrically for one day only last October in honor of its 30th anniversary, interest in Lewis’ music has revived, as well. “That’s been fun, and obviously very welcome,” Lewis said. But those weren’t the band’s only hits. Other Huey Lewis songs that endure to this day are tunes like “Heart and Soul,” “Heart of Rock and Roll,” “Stuck With You,” “Hip to be Square,” “If This Is It,” and “Workin’ for a Livin’”; you’ll hear several of these, and many more, at their upcoming concert.

“We’re mixing it up a little,” Lewis said. “A handful of hits — or two handfuls — some of our greatest misses, and a couple of new tunes.” The show will also feature Lewis taking a turn on harmonica and harmonizing a capella style with his bandmates on several early rock standards. The band is touring through early September, an odyssey with which Lewis has a love-hate relationship. “What I like best are those two hours on stage,” he said. “What I like least are the other 22 hours.” There might be some future rock standards on the way soon. “We are working on some new stuff, but we’re on the road all this summer, so it’ll be fall before we can devote some real time to it,” Lewis said. “As for [the next album’s] release, I’m telling people early this century,” he said.

Huey Lewis and the News will be in concert at Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium at 8pm on July 19. For tickets and more information, visit tickets.interlochen.org.