Rockin' Out 2002
By Patti Mroczek
HLN Today reporter
Las Vegas Hilton, 20-31 December 2002 - The desert air was dry and cool. New Year's Eve revelers were filling up the hotels on and around the Vegas strip, and probably downtown too. Newsliners from all over the country, and even other parts of the world, were headed to the Las Vegas Hilton to see at least one, if not all four shows that proved the heart of rock and roll is still beating strongly.
For the last four nights of 2002, Huey Lewis and the News rocked the showroom of the Hilton with their classic hits, "Power of Love," "Heart of Rock and Roll," "Heart & Soul," "Doing It All for My Baby," and "I Want a New Drug." Each show revolved around these standards with a mix of older and newer tunes. Fans were treated to oldies like "Trouble in Paradise," "Some of My Lies are True," "Buzz, Buzz, Buzz," and the newer version of "Do You Believe in Love." Songs from the last album, "My Other Woman," "Rhythm Ranch," "Long Time/Good Time," and "When I Write the Book" were also superbly performed on some nights. Four Chords favorites - "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "But It's Alight" had the audience up and dancing. "Perfect World" and a seldom-heard "Whole Lotta Lovin" were also among the mix.
Stef Burns showed off his tremendous talents in "Jacob's Ladder", while the horn section displayed their awesome talents in solos on "Plan B." At Sunday's performance Huey surprised the audience by performing his duet "Cruisin'" with a special guest, R&B singer, Bettye Lavette. Although there had been little, if any, rehearsal time, the performance was well done. If not the words, the emotion was there.
During "If This Is It" Huey, in his new pinkish purple brocade suit had fun by coming into the audience exchanging handshakes, pleasantries, hugs and kisses with many happy fans, who not surprisingly, were mostly female. Huey would also momentarily sit and watch the band perform their instrumental portion, before returning to the stage to complete the song.
As is their custom two a cappella numbers were performed after Huey introduced his colleagues of many years - Sean Hopper, Bill Gibson and Johnny Colla - as well as the newest member, "who can play as good as he wants," Stef Burns. To the shrills of the females of the audience and the delight of Huey, the guys performed "60 Minute Man" followed by the new calypso version of "Under the Boardwalk" which featured a solo by Marvin McFadden on trumpet.
The band closed the first three shows with "Back in Time" while the diehard fans kept waiting to hear the familiar chords that traditionally signaled the close of the show. The band did not disappoint us - the final song on New Year's Eve was "Workin' for a Living." The shows and the year came to a close. Four great shows to usher out 2002.
May 2003 be happy and healthy for all.
