Anybody who enjoys catchy ’80s pop tunes may feel the power of love for “The Heart of Rock and Roll – America’s #1 Tribute to Huey Lewis and the News” at 8 p.m. Friday in Veterans Park.
Admission is free; donations to support the series will be taken.
While you can find countless tributes to pop artists, there were few devoted to San Francisco’s Huey Lewis and the News, who became huge as MTV was rising in the 1980s, going on to chart 19 top 40 hits such as “I Want a New Drug,” “Hip to Be Square” and “The Power of Love,” the latter hitting No. 1 after being featured in the blockbuster film “Back to the Future.”
Already out playing in several bands doing ’80s covers, Roger Langdon performed a Lewis song and something fit. Taking on more of their songs, he got together with his brother Tony, a guitarist, picked up musicians who toured with big names and the fake News was ready to make tribute headlines.
“Huey is naturally in my voice style; I fix my hair like his and we go. We are the longest tenured News tribute that we know of,” he said.
“Heart of Rock and Roll” was scheduled to perform in the 2020 Arts Festival before the pandemic canceled it. The group actually played in Springboro last summer. When another act had to cancel this date in 2021, the Arts Council stopped the presses and slotted them in.
Langdon admits the current touring atmosphere has meant adjustments, but the group has a lot of pent-up energy it’s gotten out at recent shows and Springfield will catch them reaching their zenith. Another advantage for “Heart of Rock and Roll” is Huey Lewis and the News haven’t toured in recent years due to Lewis suffering from an inner ear disorder and this is a chance to catch that spirit.
“A tribute band is performing as artists in their time, recreating that nostalgic sound and we are a top-level tribute,” he said.
“Heart of Rock and Roll” even has the seal of approval from an actual member of the News, keyboard player Sean Hopper, who has been with Lewis from the beginning. Hopper’s wife saw a YouTube video of “Heart of Rock and Roll” and shared it with him.
As fate would have it, Langdon’s wife has family where Hopper lives and the men met and became friends. Langdon is proud to know Hopper shared his respect for their tribute.
Langdon said Springfield should be ready for a show that was made for festivals and audiences who love timeless pop music.
HOW TO GO
What: “The Heart of Rock and Roll – America’s #1 Tribute to Huey Lewis and the News”
Where: Veterans Park, Springfield
When: Friday, July 23, 8 p.m.
Admission: Free; donations accepted
More info: www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org.
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