Huey Lewis has said he won’t “give up” recording music despite his hearing loss.
The ‘Hip To Be Square’ singer was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease in 1996, but officially retired from the stage in 2018 when he lost hearing in both ears. Ménière’s disease is a condition that affects the inner ear and can cause vertigo, hearing loss and nausea.
Speaking to People, Lewis told them that whilst a cochlear implant has improved his ability to hear speech, he “can’t hear music”. He added that whilst he has hopefully “outgrown” his symptoms of vertigo, he is still “mildly dizzy all the time, and my hearing just went to zero.”
“The worst part is that means it’s bad enough not to be able to perform and sing and play, but it’s really bad not to even be able to enjoy music,” Lewis continued.
Despite this, Lewis told People he would attempt to record music, calling it “the best feeling in the world.” However, he shared his fears that he was “never going to get there”, adding: “I mean, I might get to where I can try to, and I’m not going to give up. I’m going to try. But geez, that kind of fun, that kind of great ride. I doubt I’m ever going to see that… feel that again.”
Since Lewis’ departure from the stage, his band Huey Lewis and The News have released an album titled ‘Weather’ in 2020, consisting of songs recorded before Lewis lost his hearing.
Meanwhile, a jukebox musical of the band’s discography called The Heart of Rock and Roll was staged on Broadway last year. Lewis told People he was planning on bringing the musical to London, and will reportedly tour America in 2027.
Elsewhere, Huey Lewis is one of the many stars searching the for the guitar used by Michael J. Fox in Back To The Future.