Huey Lewis: The Iconic Voice Of A Generation

What’s the Deal with Huey Lewis’ Net Worth?

Let’s talk about Huey Lewis, the legendary American singer, songwriter, and actor whose net worth clocks in at a cool $25 million. Huey Lewis is more than just a name—he’s a household icon, especially for anyone who lived through the ‘80s. As the frontman for Huey Lewis and the News, he became a major force in the music world with unforgettable hits like “The Power of Love,” “Hip to Be Square,” “Heart of Rock & Roll,” and “Workin’ For a Livin’.” The band’s albums have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and their 1983 album, “Sports,” alone sold 10 million copies in the U.S. That’s right—10 million. Before making it big with the News, Huey was also part of the band Clover, where he first cut his teeth as a musician.

Early Days: From New York to California

Huey Lewis wasn’t always Huey Lewis—at least not by birth. Born Hugh Anthony Cregg III on July 5, 1950, in New York City, he grew up in California, moving around Marin County. His parents divorced when he was just 13, and his stepfather, Lew Welch, a Beat Generation poet, became a key influence in his life. Huey’s teenage years were filled with inspiration from Welch, who encouraged his creative side. Despite his family’s moves, Huey excelled in school, attending the prestigious all-male prep school Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. He was a star student and even played baseball at an all-state level. Oh, and did I mention he scored a perfect 800 on the math portion of the SAT in 1967? Talk about brains and talent!

After high school, Huey hit the road, hitchhiking across the country back to New York and then venturing to Europe. During his travels, he played music wherever he could, often busking with his trusty harmonica. Eventually, he returned to the States and enrolled at Cornell University to study engineering. But the call of music was too strong, and he dropped out during his junior year to pursue his passion full-time. To make ends meet, he worked odd jobs, from landscaping to event planning, all while honing his craft.

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Clover: The Band That Brought Him Together

Huey’s first big break came in 1971 when he joined the band Clover. Playing harmonica and occasionally singing lead vocals, he helped the group gain traction in the Bay Area music scene. In 1976, Clover made the bold move to Los Angeles, where they caught the attention of English music producer Nick Lowe. Impressed by their sound, Lowe convinced them to relocate to the UK, where they released two albums: “Unavailable” (1977) and “Love on the Wire” (1977). Unfortunately, these albums didn’t quite take off, and the band returned to California in 1978, eventually disbanding. But for Huey, this was just the beginning of something much bigger.

Huey Lewis and the News: The Rise to Fame

After Clover, Huey formed Huey Lewis and the News, and the rest, as they say, is history. The band’s debut album, “Huey Lewis and the News,” was released in 1980, followed by “Picture This” in 1982 and the blockbuster “Sports” in 1983. “Sports” became a phenomenon, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and spawning four top-ten hits. It even landed at number two on the list of best-selling albums in 1984, just behind Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

The hits kept coming with their fourth studio album, “Fore!” in 1986, which was another multi-platinum success. This album featured five top-ten singles, surpassing the success of “Sports.” But Huey’s fame didn’t stop there. Their song “The Power of Love” became a chart-topping anthem when it was featured in the blockbuster movie “Back to the Future” in 1985. The band also contributed “Back in Time” to the sequel, “Back to the Future Part II” in 1989. Over the years, they released more albums, including “Small World” (1988), “Hard at Play” (1991), “Four Chords & Several Years Ago” (1994), “Plan B” (2001), “Soulsville” (2010), and “Weather” (2020). With each release, they continued to captivate audiences worldwide.

Selling the Catalog: A $20 Million Deal

In late 2022, Huey Lewis and the News struck a deal with Primary Wave Music, selling the rights to their iconic catalog for a whopping $20 million. It’s a testament to the lasting impact of their music, even decades after their peak popularity.

Huey Lewis: The Actor

Beyond his music career, Huey has also made waves on the big and small screens. He’s appeared in films like “Duets” (2000) with Gwyneth Paltrow, “Short Cuts” (1993), and “Sphere” (1998). On TV, he’s guest-starred on shows like “One Tree Hill” (2004), “The King of Queens” (2006), “Hot in Cleveland” (2010-2015), and “The Cleveland Show” (2011). One of his most memorable roles came in the first “Back to the Future” movie, where he played a band audition judge. In the film, Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) performs an early version of “The Power of Love,” only to be cut off by Huey’s character with the now-famous line, “You’re just too darn loud.” Interestingly, the song wasn’t fully written or recorded at the time of filming, so Huey and the band had to create a rough version for Fox to perform.

Life Beyond the Stage: Huey’s Personal Journey

In 1983, Huey tied the knot with Sidney Conroy, who worked as the secretary for his manager. Together, they’ve built a beautiful life and raised two children. However, life hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 2018, Huey was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, a condition that affects the inner ear and can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. This diagnosis forced him to cancel the remaining dates on his 2018 tour, as his hearing struggles made performing nearly impossible. Prior to this, Huey and the News were known for their relentless touring schedule, often playing 80-100 shows a year.

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Huey’s Montana Getaway

When he’s not making music or acting, Huey enjoys spending time at his sprawling 500-acre ranch in Stevensville, Montana. He first fell in love with Montana through fly fishing, a passion he’s shared with friends like journalist Tom Brokaw. Over the years, he’s acquired several properties in the area, turning them into his primary residence. It’s a peaceful retreat where he can unwind and reconnect with nature, all while perfecting his fly fishing skills.