Net Worth Ranker
What Is Huey Lewis’ Net Worth?
Huey Lewis, the celebrated American singer, songwriter, and actor, has accumulated a net worth of $25 million. This figure is primarily attributed to his successful music career, particularly his time with the band Huey Lewis and the News, a group that dominated the 1980s music scene. The band’s widespread popularity translated into significant album sales and performance revenue, contributing substantially to Lewis’s overall wealth.
Early Career and Musical Successes
Hugh Anthony Cregg III, known professionally as Huey Lewis, was born in New York City on July 5, 1950. While born in New York, he spent his formative years in Marin County, California, moving between Tamalpais Valley, Strawberry, and Mill Valley. After high school, Lewis briefly attended Cornell University before dedicating himself to music. In 1971, Lewis joined the band Clover, playing harmonica and occasionally providing lead vocals. Clover relocated to the UK in 1976, where they released two albums, “Unavailable” and “Love on the Wire,” both in 1977. Though these albums didn’t achieve commercial success, the experience laid the groundwork for Lewis’s future endeavors.
In 1978, after Clover disbanded, Huey Lewis formed Huey Lewis and the News. The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 1980. Their breakthrough came with the album “Sports” in 1983, which sold over 10 million copies in the US alone. “Sports” produced four top-ten hits, solidifying the band’s place in the music industry. The album peaked as the second-best album of 1984, following Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Their subsequent album, “Fore!”, released in 1986, continued their success, achieving multi-platinum status and featuring five top-ten singles. “Fore!” reached number one on the Billboard charts, further cementing the band’s popularity. The band has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.
A significant boost to Huey Lewis and the News’ fame came from their involvement with the “Back to the Future” film franchise. Their single, “The Power of Love,” was created specifically for the 1985 film and became one of their most iconic songs. They also contributed “Back in Time” to the 1989 sequel, “Back to the Future Part II.” These collaborations increased their visibility and appeal to a broader audience, contributing to their financial success. Touring was also a significant part of the band’s activities throughout the 1980s and 1990s, generating substantial income. Other albums released by the band include “Small World” (1988), “Hard at Play” (1991), “Four Chords & Several Years Ago” (1994), “Plan B” (2001), “Soulsville” (2010), and “Weather” (2020).
Catalog Sale and Acting Career
In November 2022, Huey Lewis and the News finalized a deal with Primary Wave Music, selling the rights to their music catalog for $20 million. This transaction provided a substantial boost to Huey Lewis’s net worth, reflecting the enduring value of his musical contributions. The catalog included hits such as “The Power of Love,” “Hip to Be Square,” and “Heart of Rock & Roll,” ensuring a steady stream of revenue for Primary Wave Music.
Lewis has also pursued an acting career, appearing in films like “Duets” (2000) alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, “Short Cuts” (1993), and “Sphere” (1998). He has also made guest appearances on television shows such as “One Tree Hill” (2004), “The King of Queens” (2006), “Hot in Cleveland” (2010-2015), and “The Cleveland Show” (2011). One of his notable appearances was a cameo in the first “Back to the Future” movie, where he played a band audition judge, famously rejecting Marty McFly’s early rendition of “The Power of Love” for being “too darn loud.”
Real Estate and Personal Life
Huey Lewis has resided in Marin County, California, for a significant portion of his life. In addition to his California residence, he owns a ranch in Stevensville, Montana, spanning over 500 acres. He acquired his first parcel in the late 1980s and gradually expanded his holdings to create the current property. The Montana ranch serves as his primary residence today. His interest in Montana was sparked by friends who introduced him to fly fishing, a sport he now practices avidly, often taking neighbors like Tom Brokaw on fly fishing excursions. In 1983, Lewis married Sidney Conroy, his manager’s secretary, and they have two children together. In 2018, Lewis was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, an inner ear disorder that can cause vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. This diagnosis led to the cancellation of the remaining shows on his 2018 tour. Prior to his diagnosis, Huey Lewis and the News consistently performed 80-100 shows annually.
