If you were standing in the crowd at the CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, California, on January 19, 2018, you witnessed something historical. You didn't know it then. Nobody did. But when Huey Lewis walked off that stage after belted out "The Power of Love," it was the last time he’d ever perform a full set.
That was the final Huey Lewis and the News concert.
Since then, the silence has been loud. Fans keep refreshing ticket sites, hoping for a 2026 comeback tour or even a small residency. But the reality is a lot more complicated than just "taking a break." It’s about a man who literally cannot hear the music he spent forty years making.
The Night the Music Actually Died
Ménière’s disease is a beast. It’s an inner-ear disorder that doesn't just make you dizzy; it can effectively delete your ability to process sound. For Huey, the "crash" happened right before a show in Dallas in early 2018. He was in the hotel, and suddenly, everything sounded like heavy machinery.
He tried to go on anyway.
Think about that for a second. You’re a guy whose entire life is built on pitch, harmony, and that driving backbeat. You step on stage, the band starts "The Heart of Rock & Roll," and all you hear is a distorted roar. He couldn't find the key. He couldn't find the rhythm. He had to cancel the show, and shortly after, he canceled the entire tour.
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Honestly, it’s heartbreaking.
Where the Band Stands in 2026
You’ve probably seen the "tribute" shows popping up. There's a big one called The Heart of Rock & Roll—a tribute band that’s actually touring in 2026, hitting places like Wisconsin in March. But don't get it twisted: that's not Huey.
As of right now, Huey Lewis and the News are not touring.
Huey himself is 75 now. He’s been remarkably open about his struggle, recently telling People that while he has a cochlear implant that helps him hear speech, music still sounds like a "distorted mess." He can’t hear the notes. If he can’t hear the notes, he can’t sing them.
- The Status: No active tour dates for the original lineup.
- The Health Update: Huey still battles "mild dizziness" and bilateral hearing loss.
- The Silver Lining: He’s still active behind the scenes.
The Broadway Pivot and What's Next
Just because the concerts stopped doesn't mean the "News" stopped. Huey spent the last few years pouring his soul into The Heart of Rock and Roll, a Broadway musical. It wasn't a biography—thankfully, we didn't need another "walk to the microphone and look at the sunset" biopic—but a fictional story powered by the hits.
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It had a rough run.
The show opened in April 2024 and closed just two months later. It was a financial hit, but Huey didn't let that stop him. He’s actually looking at taking the show to London in 2026 and launching a North American tour of the musical in 2027.
Basically, if you want to experience a Huey Lewis and the News concert vibe, the theater is your best bet now.
Is there a "secret" project?
Interestingly, Johnny Colla (the band's longtime guitarist and saxophonist) teased fans in late 2025. He mentioned he was "immersed in a new Huey Lewis and the News project" that would "raise eyebrows."
What could it be?
Maybe a documentary. Maybe a massive box set of unreleased material from the Sports or Fore! eras. Whatever it is, it likely doesn't involve a stage with monitors and a live mic.
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The Reality of Seeing Them Live
If you’re desperate for that 80s fix, you have to be careful with ticket sites. Many "2026 Tour" listings are actually for tribute acts or "The Heart of Rock & Roll" musical tour.
Huey has said he hasn't given up. He still tries to sing every day, hoping for a "good day" where his hearing clears up. Sometimes it does for a few hours, then it vanishes again. It’s a cruel, unpredictable condition.
He’s spent a lot of time fly fishing lately. He’s also been helping find the lost "Chiquita" guitar Michael J. Fox used in Back to the Future. He’s staying busy, just not in the way we’re used to.
What to do if you're a fan:
- Check the Official Site: Huey still does a "Question of the Week" on his website. It’s the best place to get info straight from him.
- Support the Musical: When the tour kicks off in 2027 (or if it hits London in 2026), go see it. It’s the closest you’ll get to the energy of their live shows.
- Watch the 2020 Documentary: Or even the Greatest Hits videos. The live footage from the 80s at the Coliseum or the Kabuki Theater captures a band at the absolute peak of their powers.
The "Heart of Rock and Roll" is still beating, sure. But it's moved from the stadium to the stage and the screen. While we might never get another traditional Huey Lewis and the News concert, the 38 years of touring they did give us is one hell of a legacy.
Keep an eye on official announcements regarding the 2027 musical tour. If you're in London, watch for West End casting calls later this year, as that's where Huey’s focus seems to be shifting for 2026.