Huey Lewis, the voice behind the iconic 80s hit 'The Power of Love,' has shared a devastating health update, revealing that he has lost his hearing and can no longer sing. The 75-year-old musician, who fronted Huey Lewis and the News, disclosed the news during a recent exchange with Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres at the Alfred Dunhill Cup in Scotland.
Lewis Opens Up About Hearing Loss
In a candid post, Lewis described the moment he told Torres about his condition. 'Tico, it's bad. I lost my hearing. I can't sing anymore,' Lewis recalled saying. The pair, who became close friends through their shared love of golf, met at the tournament last month. Lewis noted Torres's New Jersey accent, comparing it to a character from 'The Sopranos.'
'He listened to me with furrowed brows, gently shaking his head, looking downward the whole time,' Lewis wrote. 'When I finished, he shook his head and said, "What ya gonna do?"' That question has become Lewis's new mantra as he copes with his condition.
Meniere's Disease Diagnosis
Lewis has been absent from the stage since 2018, when he cancelled all tour dates due to a diagnosis of Meniere's disease. The disorder affects the inner ear, causing vertigo, disorienting symptoms, and progressive hearing loss. During rehearsals, Lewis experienced increasing hearing loss, prompting his retirement from live performances.
Last year, Lewis said his life improved after being fitted with a cochlear implant, which allowed him to hear speech 'much better.' However, he noted that the device does not restore musical hearing. 'I lost bilaterally, my hearing ... the intense vertigo, I'm mildly dizzy all the time, and my hearing just went to zero. And now I have a cochlear implant, so I'm much better that way, but I can't hear music,' Lewis said.
Staying Creative Despite Challenges
Lewis remains determined to stay creative despite his hearing loss. 'I want to stay busy and not focus on how bad my hearing is,' he said. 'So I concentrate on our theatrical endeavours, fishing, the TV show I'm working on… It's something to hope for. It keeps me going.'
The jukebox musical 'The Heart of Rock and Roll,' based on the band's music, has been staged on Broadway in recent years. Huey Lewis and the News are best known for their third album, 'Sports,' and their contribution to the soundtrack of the 1985 film 'Back to the Future,' starring Michael J. Fox.
