Rock Ramblings: Huey’s hearing halts Hat appearance

By Medicine Hat News on April 19, 2018.

Late last week, word came out that legendary pop-rock band, Huey Lewis & The News, wouldn’t be able to wheel into Medicine Hat for their concert at this summer’s Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. It’s not that they don’t like southern Alberta; they dislike every city the same.

Actually, it’s Lewis’s hearing — or lack thereof — causing the problem, which has forced the cancellation of the group’s entire 2018 tour. The 67-year-old singer suffers from Meniere’s disease, and recently said, “I lost most of my hearing. I hear a little but I can’t hear enough music to sing. I can’t perform until I improve.”

Huey Lewis & The News had a handful of huge hits in the 80s including, “The Power Of Love,” from the film “Back To The Future,” as well as “The Heart Of Rock & Roll,” “I Want A New Drug” and “Heart And Soul,” all three of which were on their super-massive 1983 album, “Sports.” The fact that they were still even touring actually surprised me, but look at The Stones, and Ozzy, and ZeppelinÉ Oops. Anyway, we all wish you well Mr. Lewis.

Fortunately, one cancelled show won’t ruin the live-music season, especially this summer, which is already overflowing with festivals and treks by some of the biggest names in rock. Two of last year’s largest tours continue their juggernaut pace as they roll around the world like finely-tuned machines. I’m talking about Metallica and Guns N’ Roses. Those two tours are also a couple of the biggest money-makers of all-time, and I do believe Metallica plans to roll its “World Wired” tour into 2019; incredible!

Also making the rounds this yearÉ Stone Temple Pilots with The Cult & Bush. That new STP album is vintage stuff. Rob Zombie is co-headlining with Marilyn MansonÉ and Foo Fighters continue road-trippin’ in support of their “Concrete & Gold” album. That tour will hit Calgary this fall. Queens Of The Stone Age and Royal Blood will be in Calgary too. They’re making waves as a formidable one-two punch on stage wherever they go, and apparently drinking a ton of tequila in the process. Pearl Jam will be hitting the road soon, doing a full American tour with a brand new album on the way. The only Canadian date so far is Toronto (of course). PJ is a band I’ve been lucky enough to see a few times, and it really is an “experience” with them, not just a concert. Modern-era rock god, Jack White, will be all over the place throughout the year as well.

The above-mentioned tours are just a few of the “big name” acts that are rocking venues and entertaining millions around planet Earth right now, and in Southern Alberta this season. You can still check out bands like Papa Roach with Nothing More (May 2, Grey Eagle Resort & Casino in Calgary), Rise Against with AFI & Anti-Flag (Sept. 20, Grey Eagle). For you classic rockers, the Steve Miller Band plays the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary tomorrow night, and don’t miss blues-rock icons George Thorogood & The Destroyers, May 5 at Enmax Centre in Lethbridge.

Until next time, have fun at all the events you check out, take care of your ears, and if you’d like to know more about Meniere’s disease, visit: http://www.MayoClinic.org/diseases-conditions/menieres-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20374910

Cheers, and keep rockin’

Park Warden is the jack of all trades/utility player at 105.3 Rock. You’ll hear him weekends 10 a.m. -4 p.m., Wednesday-Friday evenings and filling in all over.

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