Huey Lewis, losing his hearing, cancels all his shows
Huey Lewis of Huey Lewis and the News fame has canceled his 2018 tour — including a headlining show at the Wisconsin State Fair — after being diagnosed with Meniere’s disease, an inner-ear disorder that can cause hearing loss and dizziness, among other symptoms.
On Friday, Lewis posted on the band’s official website:
Two and a half months ago, just before a show in Dallas, I lost most of my hearing. Although I can still hear a little, one on one, and on the phone, I can’t hear music well enough to sing. The lower frequencies distort violently making it impossible to find pitch. I’ve been to the House Ear Institute, the Stanford Ear Institute, and the Mayo Clinic, hoping to find an answer. The doctors believe I have Meniere’s disease and have agreed that I can’t perform until I improve. Therefore the only prudent thing to do is to cancel all future shows. Needless to say, I feel horrible about this, and wish to sincerely apologize to all the fans who’ve already bought tickets and were planning to come see us. I’m going to concentrate on getting better, and hope that one day soon I’ll be able to perform again. Sincerely, Huey
Lewis, a Milwaukee summer concert mainstay, last performed in Milwaukee at Summerfest in 2017.
Tickets for Huey Lewis and the News’ Aug. 4 show at State Fair, sharing a bill with the Original Wailers, went on sale last month. The fair said Friday on its website that people who bought tickets via credit card would receive an email with refund details.
Those who purchased tickets to the show with cash or check must bring their original tickets with any purchase information or order number to the State Fair ticket office, 7722 W. Greenfield Ave., to receive a refund. For more information on refunds, call the ticket office at (414) 266-7100 or email tickets@ wistatefair.com.