The Heart of Rock & Roll

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "The Heart of Rock & Roll" by Huey Lewis & The News! This 1984 hit from the album Sports is packed with stories that make it a classic. One gem comes from band member Bill Gibson, who shared on X about recording the song’s iconic car horn sound. They dragged a microphone with a long cable outside The Record Plant studio, right onto the street, and used their sound guy’s old station wagon to capture the perfect honk. Talk about rock ‘n’ roll resourcefulness! Gibson posted about this memory multiple times, including in 2016, 2020, and 2021, showing how that moment stuck with him.

Another cool tidbit comes from Huey Lewis himself, who reflected on the song’s creation in a 2020 X post. He described the band’s early days as a tight-knit “band of brothers” pouring their hearts into writing “The Heart of Rock & Roll.” They were hungry to get their music heard, and this song became their anthem for rock’s enduring spirit. The track’s lyrics, penned by Lewis and Johnny Colla, name-drop cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Cleveland, celebrating rock’s heartbeat across America. Fun fact: a fan named Michael Feld took this to heart, filming a video in all 14 cities mentioned in the song, as reported by CBS San Francisco in 2016. That’s some serious Zoo Freak-level dedication!

While the song’s a fan favorite, not everyone was on board. Critics had mixed takes—Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic praised its “memorable hooks” and tight bar-band energy, but Christopher Connelly from Rolling Stone grumbled about the “fancy-pants sax solo” and “moronic lyrics.” Ouch! Even harsher, Blender magazine in 2009 ranked it sixth on their “50 Worst Songs Ever” list. Still, the song hit number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nod, proving the Zoo Freaks know what’s up when they crank this tune.

Now, let’s rewind to how Huey Lewis & The News got their start. Huey Lewis, born Hugh Anthony Cregg III in New York City, grew up in California’s Bay Area. Music was his calling early on—he was playing harmonica and singing by his teens. After high school, he hitchhiked across Europe, busking and honing his craft. Back in the U.S., he joined the band Clover in the 1970s, which gigged around San Francisco and even backed Elvis Costello on his debut album. Clover didn’t hit big, but it gave Lewis the chops and connections he needed. In 1979, he formed Huey Lewis & The News with buddies like Johnny Colla and Bill Gibson, blending rock, pop, and a touch of soul. Their big break came with the 1983 album Sports, which spawned hits like “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and made them MTV staples.

Want to keep up with the band? Check out their official website at hueylewisandthenews.com for tour dates and news. They’re active on Facebook, sharing updates and throwback pics, and on Instagram for behind-the-scenes vibes. Their X account is a goldmine for band memories and fan chats. Zoo Freaks can also join the Huey Lewis & The News Fan Club on Facebook to connect with other diehards. For more fan love, swing by hueylewisfan.com, a fan-run site packed with band history and merch. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let’s keep the heart of rock ‘n’ roll beating!