# Huey Lewis

> American singer and actor (born 1950)

**Wikidata**: [Q504458](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q504458)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huey_Lewis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/huey-lewis

## Summary
Huey Lewis is an American singer and actor born in 1950, best known as the frontman of the rock band Huey Lewis and the News. He gained international fame in the 1980s with hit songs like "The Power of Love" and "Hip to Be Square."

## Biography
- Born: July 5, 1950
- Nationality: American
- Education: Attended Cornell University and Lawrenceville School
- Known for: Frontman of Huey Lewis and the News, actor
- Employer(s): Huey Lewis and the News (band), Chrysalis Records
- Field(s): Music (rock, pop rock, soul), acting

## Contributions
Huey Lewis formed Huey Lewis and the News in 1978, which became one of the most successful pop rock bands of the 1980s. The band released several multi-platinum albums including "Sports" (1983) and "Fore!" (1986), featuring chart-topping singles that dominated radio airplay. Lewis also contributed to film soundtracks, most notably writing and performing "The Power of Love" for the 1985 film "Back to the Future," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. As an actor, he has appeared in various films and television shows, often playing himself or cameo roles.

## FAQs
**What is Huey Lewis best known for?**
Huey Lewis is best known as the lead singer of Huey Lewis and the News, a band that achieved massive success in the 1980s with hits like "The Power of Love," "I Want a New Drug," and "Hip to Be Square." The band's album "Sports" was one of the best-selling albums of the decade.

**What movies has Huey Lewis appeared in?**
Huey Lewis has appeared in several films, most notably in "Back to the Future" (1985) where he made a cameo appearance as a high school teacher. He has also appeared in films like "Duets" (2000) and "Short Cuts" (1993), as well as various television shows.

**What record label was Huey Lewis and the News signed to?**
Huey Lewis and the News were signed to Chrysalis Records, a British record label that helped launch their international career in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s.

## Why They Matter
Huey Lewis and the News defined the sound of 1980s pop rock with their blend of rock, soul, and new wave influences. Their music captured the optimistic, polished aesthetic of the era while maintaining strong musicianship and catchy songwriting. The band's success helped establish the template for mainstream rock acts of the decade, influencing countless artists who followed. Lewis's contribution to film music, particularly "The Power of Love" for "Back to the Future," created an enduring cultural touchstone that remains instantly recognizable decades later.

## Notable For
- Frontman of Huey Lewis and the News, one of the most successful bands of the 1980s
- Multiple Grammy Award winner, including Record of the Year for "The Power of Love"
- Creator of the hit song "The Power of Love" for the "Back to the Future" soundtrack
- Seven top-10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
- Two Grammy Awards and several American Music Award nominations
- Album "Sports" certified 7× Platinum in the United States
- Distinctive voice and harmonica playing that became signature elements of the band's sound
- Successful transition from musician to actor with notable film and television appearances

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Huey Lewis was born Hugh Anthony Cregg III on July 5, 1950, in New York City. He grew up in California and attended the prestigious Lawrenceville School, a college preparatory boarding school in New Jersey. Lewis later enrolled at Cornell University, though he left before completing his degree to pursue music full-time. His early musical influences included blues, rock and roll, and soul music, which would later shape his distinctive sound with Huey Lewis and the News.

### Formation of Huey Lewis and the News
In 1978, Lewis formed Huey Lewis and the News in San Francisco, California. The band initially struggled to find commercial success, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1980 to modest sales. However, their persistence paid off with the release of "Picture This" in 1982, which began to build their fanbase and establish their signature sound. The band's lineup stabilized with Lewis on lead vocals and harmonica, Johnny Colla on guitar and saxophone, Bill Gibson on drums, Mario Cipollina on bass, and Sean Hopper on keyboards.

### Breakthrough Success
The band's third album, "Sports," released in 1983, catapulted them to international stardom. The album spent 108 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart and produced four top-10 hits: "Heart and Soul," "I Want a New Drug," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," and "If This Is It." "Sports" became one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s, eventually achieving 7× Platinum certification in the United States. The album's success established Huey Lewis and the News as one of the premier pop rock acts of the decade.

### Film Soundtrack Success
In 1985, Lewis achieved his greatest commercial success with "The Power of Love," written for the film "Back to the Future." The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television. The song's success led to another hit for the "Back to the Future Part II" soundtrack with "Back in Time." These contributions to film music significantly expanded Lewis's audience and cemented his place in popular culture.

### Continued Success and Evolution
Following "Sports," the band released "Fore!" in 1986, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and produced five hit singles, including "Stuck with You," "Jacob's Ladder," and "Hip to Be Square." The latter became one of their most recognizable songs and was later featured prominently in the film "American Psycho." Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, the band continued to release successful albums, though none matched the commercial heights of their mid-80s peak.

### Acting Career
Parallel to his music career, Lewis pursued acting opportunities, often playing himself or cameo roles. His most notable acting appearance was in "Back to the Future" (1985), where he made a brief but memorable cameo as a high school teacher. He has also appeared in films such as "Duets" (2000) alongside Gwyneth Paltrow and "Short Cuts" (1993) directed by Robert Altman. On television, Lewis has made guest appearances on shows like "One Tree Hill," "The King of Queens," and "Hot in Cleveland."

### Musical Style and Influence
Huey Lewis and the News were known for their clean, polished sound that blended rock, soul, and pop elements. Lewis's distinctive voice, harmonica playing, and straightforward songwriting style became hallmarks of the band's music. Their songs often featured themes of love, relationships, and everyday life, delivered with an accessible, radio-friendly approach. The band's success helped define the sound of mainstream rock in the 1980s and influenced subsequent generations of pop rock artists.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Lewis and his band have received numerous accolades. They won two Grammy Awards: Record of the Year for "The Power of Love" in 1986 and Best Music Video, Long Form for "Hip to Be Square" in 1991. The band has also received multiple American Music Award nominations and has been recognized for their significant commercial success, with several albums achieving multi-platinum status.

### Later Career and Legacy
While the band's commercial peak was in the 1980s, Huey Lewis and the News have continued to tour and record new material. Lewis has faced health challenges, including hearing loss that affected his ability to perform, but he has remained active in the music industry. The band's music continues to receive airplay and has been featured in numerous films and television shows, introducing their sound to new generations of listeners. Their influence can be heard in the work of many contemporary pop rock artists who cite the band as an inspiration.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. MusicBrainz
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. IMDb
8. Internet Broadway Database
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1986)
11. CONOR.SI
12. BBC Things
13. ISWC Network
14. The Movie Database
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
16. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data