Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, 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.
I saw them open for the Police way back when. I wasn’t a fan before their set, but they blew the place away- their energy was fantastic. My friends and I all agreed they put on a way better show than the Police did.
@compunaut I didn’t miss the 80’s (listening to lots and lots of metal, new wave, punk and post-punk from that time) and I don’t know who it is either.
Ok there was some great stuff. Plus Live Aid and esp Queens’s incomparable performance.
But perhaps not so very much of a gap. That was the time during during which people watched all 297 cable channels trying to find the good stuff that mostly didn’t exist yet.
A cultural biggie was Dynasty vs Dallas. Plus, if I recall, lots and lots of silly royals?
Mid-80’s after all. Catching -up could be pretty quick.
Wonder if stuff signed by HL&tN is worth much these days? I have lots of signed concert pictures and an album cover signed by all the band members at their first record release party.
Guess that before they got so big, I was a -gulp- groupie.
@f00l I don’t know if I would label that their breakout song. Do You Believe In Love was on the previous album (Picture This) and rose all the way to number 7 on the Billboard hot 100, only one position lower than “Drug”.
My dad was torn between naming me after Huey Lewis, or after Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran. Mom refused to let me be named for a cartoon duck, and Simon was in the Bible, so…
I’m not a fan of Huey Lewis and the News, but The News did do some good music working behind another frontman. Before they became The News and hooked up with Huey, they were a band called Clover, and they were hired to be the backing band for the debut album of an Irish singer/songwriter by the name of Declan MacManus. You might know him better as Elvis Costello.
(Note: That’s the Attractions in the pic for the video. But the song is “Alison” off My Aim is True, which was recorded with Clover/The News)
Saw them years ago when they had THE Tower of Power Horns backing them up. They were awesome together.
Years ago he was on the Kid Kris show and while talking to Kris, Kris also had “Sweet Sweet Connie” on the phone. Connie ( Connie Hamzy) is THE woman from the Grand Funk Railroad song We’re an American Band. She stated that Huey was “hung like a mule”, and at at that point He hung up the phone and ended the phone interview.
Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, 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.
@writdenied I came here to see how quickly someone was gonna do this, was not disappointed
I saw them open for the Police way back when. I wasn’t a fan before their set, but they blew the place away- their energy was fantastic. My friends and I all agreed they put on a way better show than the Police did.
Chris Evert thought Huey was pretty cute. There are worse fates.
Where is the button for I don’t have a clue who or what that is?
@Kidsandliz Did you somehow miss the 80s?
@compunaut I didn’t miss the 80’s (listening to lots and lots of metal, new wave, punk and post-punk from that time) and I don’t know who it is either.
@compunaut Yeah actually I did. Most of the 80’s I was without TV or radio as I spent it working in the outdoor adventure field and on tall ships.
@Kidsandliz I knew you’d have a really good reason
Need to find a way to help you fill in the gap
@compunaut
Mid-80’s.
Ok there was some great stuff. Plus Live Aid and esp Queens’s incomparable performance.
But perhaps not so very much of a gap. That was the time during during which people watched all 297 cable channels trying to find the good stuff that mostly didn’t exist yet.
A cultural biggie was Dynasty vs Dallas. Plus, if I recall, lots and lots of silly royals?
Mid-80’s after all. Catching -up could be pretty quick.
Uh… Who?
I’ve heard their name, but no clue what they sing. So let’s ask YouTube.
/youtube huey Lewis and the news
Wtf was that video? What’s the deal with the shark at the end attacking the people that had been walking around forever?
Now that I listened to them, I recognize the voice. I’m surprised this wasn’t the first thing YouTube pulled up.
@RiotDemon MTV, when they were new and actually showed music videos. You have no idea how amazing those were when they first came out.
@RiotDemon
Land Shark
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Shark_(Saturday_Night_Live)
http://linkis.com/www.nbc.com/saturday/TIqNE
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/landshark/2832305
@f00l I wish I could give more stars for this
@compunaut
NBC forced YouTube to pull them all. So you have to see it on nbc’s site which is not such a great experience.
I miss Gilda.
@f00l - Wonder what ever happened to Laraine Newman?
@KDemo Laraine Newman
@compunaut - So I guess mostly voice work. Thanks!
Always loved when the horn section was featured
Follow along with the write-up:
Wonder if stuff signed by HL&tN is worth much these days? I have lots of signed concert pictures and an album cover signed by all the band members at their first record release party.
Guess that before they got so big, I was a -gulp- groupie.
Breakout song
@f00l - the one that the Ghostbusters’ theme writer got in trouble for copying.
@f00l I don’t know if I would label that their breakout song. Do You Believe In Love was on the previous album (Picture This) and rose all the way to number 7 on the Billboard hot 100, only one position lower than “Drug”.
. . . are/were a band with very limited talent but (some how) popular appeal for a short window in the 1980’s.
My dad was torn between naming me after Huey Lewis, or after Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran. Mom refused to let me be named for a cartoon duck, and Simon was in the Bible, so…
Hugh Anthony Craig III
Thank you for reminding me of one of my favorite songs from my youth, when music was better than it is now.
#GetOffMyLawn
Huey Lewis and the News are: Hip to be Square
Please don’t extol the virtues of the album Sports and stave in my skull! I need that skull!
I’m not a fan of Huey Lewis and the News, but The News did do some good music working behind another frontman. Before they became The News and hooked up with Huey, they were a band called Clover, and they were hired to be the backing band for the debut album of an Irish singer/songwriter by the name of Declan MacManus. You might know him better as Elvis Costello.
(Note: That’s the Attractions in the pic for the video. But the song is “Alison” off My Aim is True, which was recorded with Clover/The News)
@sanspoint That’s some delightful trivia, friend. Thanks!
Two things about HL&N.
Saw them years ago when they had THE Tower of Power Horns backing them up. They were awesome together.
Years ago he was on the Kid Kris show and while talking to Kris, Kris also had “Sweet Sweet Connie” on the phone. Connie ( Connie Hamzy) is THE woman from the Grand Funk Railroad song We’re an American Band. She stated that Huey was “hung like a mule”, and at at that point He hung up the phone and ended the phone interview.
Must suck to be in a successful band…
@somf69
Statistics and data, statistics and data.
REALLY HUEYGEEEE and great once again
I mostly liked them because of the Back to the Future movies (I and III, II was a disappointment to say the least)
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/e3662085fb/american-psycho-with-huey-lewis-and-weird-al