Band Biographies

Hugh Anthony Cregg III was born July 5, 1950 in New York City. Around the time he was five, his family relocated to Mill Valley, California where he grew up. In 1967, preparing to graduate from New Jersey prep school “The Lawrenceville School,” Huey applied and was accepted by Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY. However, on the advice of his father, he decided to wait enrolling in college, and instead headed for Europe. As he hitchhiked around the continent, he learned to play the harmonica whilst waiting for rides. Before returning to America, Huey became an accomplished blues player, and gave his first concert in Europe, earning $150.

On his return, Huey entered Cornell (he had scored a perfect 800 on his Math SAT), joining the engineering program. While there, he lived in a large house with five other people (Ken Carrier, Peter Grenfell, John Stockman, Judy Mustille, and Bill McGrath) for a period of time. Huey played with a band called 'Slippery Elm', and in December 1969, he dropped out of Cornell, and moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area. His aim was to continue playing music; though along the way he was involved in other fields of work including landscaping, carpentry and natural foods.

In 1971, Huey joined the Bay Area band Clover. Around this time, he became known as Huey Louie, a nickname given him by a girlfriend's father; (which eventually evolved into Huey Lewis.) Sean Hopper joined the band in 1972; other members of the band were John McFee, Alex Call, John Ciambotti, Mitch Howie, and Mickey Shine. In Clover, Huey played harmonica and only sang lead vocals on a few tunes. Clover's main rival band was Soundhole, with Johnny Colla, Mario Cipollina and Bill Gibson as members.

In 1976, after playing in the Bay Area with limited success, Clover went to Los Angeles and had their big break in a club there when Nick Lowe, (who became one of British rock’s leading lights and a good friend of Huey’s), caught their act. Nick convinced Clover to travel to Britain with him. However, Clover was not successful in Britain. They arrived just as their folk-rock sound (known as "pub rock" in Britain) was being replaced by punk rock. They did two albums for the British Phonogram label, but both bombed. Huey went on vacation; meanwhile Clover backed Elvis Costello on his debut album My Aim is True. The band returned to California, McFee joined the Doobie Brothers, and Clover broke-up.

In 1978, Huey was playing at Uncle Charlie's, a club in Corte Madera, California, doing the 'Monday Night Live' spot, along with future News men. After recording the song Exodisco, (a disco version of the theme from the film Exodus,) Huey got a singles contract from Phonogram Records, and Bob Brown became Manager. Huey Lewis and the American Express was formed in 1979, with the same line-up as the News. The band played a few gigs, (including an opening for Van Morrison,) but on Brown's advice, they changed their name again and Huey Lewis and the News was created.

Over the years, Huey has appeared in several major motion pictures; among them, Back to the Future (1985,) Shortcuts (1993,) Duets (2000,) and several others. Huey admits enjoying acting, and says acting for him "is a lark." (For a more detailed list of movie titles Huey's been involved with, please see the Movies section of this site.)

Never fearing the unknown, in 2005, Huey accepted the major role of "Billy Flynn" in the Broadway Smash Musical, Chicago. He was invited back in 2006 and played many dates in New York, as well as a few in San Francisco.

John Victor Colla was born July 2, 1952 in Sacramento, California and raised in Suisun City, California. He's an old friend of Huey Lewis' - he played in Clover's rival group Soundhole in the early part of the 1970's.

Johnny Colla has been a fixture on the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for nearly 30 years. Having also played for Sly and the Family Stone and Van Morrison, it wasn't until the late 70's that he teamed up with Huey Lewis to play sax and guitar for the Monday Night Live Band. A few years later they took it all the way to the top when they evolved into Huey Lewis and the News.

During the 60's the Summer of Love captured Johnny's attention and drew him to San Francisco from the Sacramento Valley. Like so many others, he patronized the Avalon Ballroom and the Fillmore Auditorium, eventually pursuing his idols and musical dreams over the Golden Gate Bridge into Marin County. "I moved to Marin because that's where all the musicians moved after the San Francisco scene blew up. For a start-up musician in the seventies, it was a hot-bed of musical activity; a great place to be and be heard." He says. "Then I beat the odds. We not only started a great band, but actually became successful at it!"

The guys have survived several changes in the popular music scene over the last twenty-eight years, and maintain a diehard group of fans that allow them to do what they do so well. "Sure, we're the Tony Bennetts of our generation," He adds, "but it's not such a bad way to go. I can think of worse jobs." Colla secured his position in rock lore by penning such classics as "The Heart of Rock and Roll", "The Power of Love", and "If This Is It".

Although still an integral part of The News (Huey and Johnny co-produced the band’s release, "Plan B"), Johnny embarked upon a solo career to expand his personal musical horizons. "Deep inside, every songwriter wants to sing the songs that they write." he said. "Once a person writes something they really believe in, it's strong medicine. It's like a drug; you want to do it again and again. It's a bit self-indulgent, but songwriting is my creative outlet; It is a scratch I have to itch. I'm not looking for fame or fortune in my solo endeavor; I'm simply exploring my own beliefs and musical tastes. If I can put into words what someone else can't say themselves, I've done what I set out to do. Besides all that, it’s still great fun to jump up on stage and bash it all out!"

Christopher John Hayes was born November 24, 1957 in Sacramento, California. He got his first guitar when he was nine years old, and he took whatever lessons he could, from folk to jazz; (he is now a self-confessed jazz freak.) He quickly became so proficient with the guitar that he started teaching it. He was pursuing his first love, jazz guitar, on a full-time basis, with several different bands (his first band was called The Rubber Band,) and when he was 20 he went to Europe to back-up the world famous blues singer Esther Phillips. When he returned to San Francisco, he looked around for a new band to play with, and he heard that Huey Lewis was on the look-out for a guitarist. He tried out for the position, and although he had much to learn about rock and roll, (he used to hate it as a kid), he became a member of the band.

Chris comes from a musical family, but as Huey says, "...he's the pick of the litter!" His sister, Bonnie Hayes, is a celebrated Bay Area singer and band leader whos latest CD was released in 2007. (Chris appears on this album as well.) Kevin Hayes, who sometimes jams with Bonnie too, plays drums with the Robert Cray Band. These aren't the only Hayes siblings, Chris is the oldest male of seven children! The youngest, Jonathan, plays guitar for the LA based band, Walking Giant.

Mario was born November 10, 1954 in San Rafael, California. He has the nickname of 'Bad Boy' and formed half of a distinguished Bay Area rock and roll brother act, with John Cipollina, (who passed away in 1989.) With Quicksilver Messenger Service, John was one of the great guitarists of the psychedelic era. When Quicksilver broke up, Mario, who was 15 at the time, joined his brother in a band called 'Copperhead' - but just before the band signed a record deal, his parents forced him to quit. Mario was not deterred though, playing with Soundhole and Tony Williams Lifetime before signing up with Huey and the News.

Mario was also a member of The Novato Frank Band, (whom he recorded with,) as well as a member of Terry and the Pirates.

Mario has co-written a couple of the band's songs, (incl. 'You Crack Me Up' from 'Sports',) and has played the string bass and electric bass for over thirty years. His distinctive playing accompanied Huey since the inception of the band until 1994, when Mario left the News to join the rock group Fence. He hadn't played with the News since then, until 21 August 2007 when he made an incredible guest appearance during the encore of a Huey and The News Concert in Sacramento, California.

William Scott Gibson was born November 13, 1951 in Sacramento, California. He comes from a musical family, (his father was a musician), and friends describe him as 'easy-going.'

Bill has been playing music all of his life. Growing up as a Marin County drummer, his first band was the 70's group Soundhole, (along with fellow HLN members Johnny Colla, and Mario Cipollina.) After Soundhole dissolved, he became a member of Huey's 'Monday Night Live' group at Uncle Charlie's night club.

In concert, Huey introduces Bill as "the rock," someone to count on both on and off stage. Bill has co-written some of the New's tunes, including "I Ain't Perfect" from "Plan B."

As well as playing drums, his many talents include playing guitar, piano, and bass; and has built his own recording studio in his home.

Sean Thomas Hopper was born March 31, 1953 in San Francisco, California. Sean has played in bands longer than any other member of the News, his first band being the 'Round the Bend Blues Band'. When Huey joined the Bay Area group Clover in 1972, Sean joined with him, and he traveled to England with Huey and the group in 1976.

Unlike Huey, Sean was in the studio for Clover's greatest musical success - backing Elvis Costello on his first album My Aim is True. Returning to California in the late 70's, Sean joined Huey and other future members of the News on the 'Monday Night Live' spot at Uncle Charlie's, following that with becoming a member of Huey's band American Express.

A mainstay of the News, Sean's powerful and inventive keyboard work has become a hallmark of the band's sound. As well as co-writing some of the band's songs, he also provides backing-vocals on various tracks.

These days Sean likes to "play" around on computers. He's definitely an Apple fan, and always has the latest cool gadgets. He's done some of his demo work on his computer. He can easily edit and manipulate his compositions. He can also have Huey sing the lyrics and cut, splice, and distort those vocals any way he wants while working up the demo.

John "JP" Pierce added his talent and charisma to Huey and The News officially in 1994, but had actually created a bit of a history with them long before. John had known Huey and the band for years, and filled in on bass for Mario Cipollina during the mid-80's when Mario had injured his arm.

During band introductions, Huey introduces John as "The CAT in the HAT..." A "Session Cat" is someone who makes their living in the studios, appearing on tracks with many artists who need him. Huey jokes they have saved John from a life of calling out for bad sushi. "...how much sushi can you eat?!"

Stef burns was born in Oakland, California on June 26, 1959, and grew up in Walnut Creek, California. He began playing his father's guitar when he was six years old. The early bands Stef joined covered bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Marshall Tucker Band. Later, Stef began playing Jazz/Rock fusion, covering some and writing some.

Over the years Stef has played with many artists, including Pablo Cruise, Sheila E., Prince, Berlin, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, and others.

In addition to touring with Huey Lewis and the News, Stef enjoys touring Italy with an Italian artist named Vasco Rossi and does albums, TV and radio commericials, film score work and live shows for various artists and producers. Stef performed with many artists during a recent "VH-1 Honors" show including Stevie Wonder, Steve Winwood, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, and others.

“Marvelous Marvin” McFadden was born January 31 and raised in Vallejo, California.

Marvin has been playing music since elementary school. His first professional gig was playing in Con Funk Shun who, between 1979 and 1984, released four albums. Currently, when not playing with The News, Marvin continues to play with many other artists as they tour the San Francisco Bay Area. Most recently, (spring thru fall 2007), Marvin performed in the Bay Area version of the Broadway musical, "The Jersey Boys."

Huey credits Marvin during band introductions as "the #1 trumpet call in the Bay Area."

The “Reverend” Ron Stallings started playing the clarinet and then picked up the saxophone at age 13. He was born the 2nd of December in Oakland, California, then lived in Houston, Texas until age 8. The family then settled in San Francisco, California. Ron attended school in the San Francisco Bay Area and played in his junior high and high school bands. He was the oldest of two sons, his brother living in Los Angeles. Ron indicated that while growing up, he attended a Baptist church, and although he did not sing in the choir or play an instrument, it “most definitely” had an influence on his musical career as did teachers and older friends.

When not playing with the News, Ron played with different bands around the Bay Area and also taught some lucky music students privately.

Sadly, Ron passed out of this life on April 13, 2009, after battling hard against the disease Multiple Myeloma for three years. All the while during treatment he continued to tour with Huey and The News whenever his condition would allow. He never lost hope or the incredible sweetness of his personality. His absence is felt very much, yet the hope he left behind lives on.

Rob Sudduth is a Bay Area native, a saxophonist whose direct, soulful style is the result of his experience in San Francisco’s eclectic music scene. Now living in New York City, he is equally comfortable performing with blues, jazz and rock bands, and blends the genres effortlessly. He brings the honesty of the blues to jazz, and the swing and melodic conception of Jazz to blues music, without compromising the essence of either.

Recent asscociations include Norah Jones (on the CD “Not Too Late” ), the Ben Goldberg Quintet (including the CD “The Door, the Hat, the Chair, the Fact”), and projects with singer Sasha Dobson and pianist Dred Scott. He frequently performed in the Tony-winning Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp production on Broadway, Movin’ Out.

He continues to work with jazz composer/pianist Graham Connah’s ensemble, which has appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Jazz Festival and at the Knitting Factory in New York, and with drummer Scott Amendola. While living in San Francisco, he performed regularly with guitarist Bruce Forman, and led a hard-bop quintet featuring pianist Mark Levine.

He performs regularly in Italy with organist Alberto Marsico in his group Tenor Madness, leads a quartet with Enzo Carpentieri and Carmelo Tartamella, and is featured in the varied projects of pianist/composer Claudio Angeleri, also guesting as a clinician at Angeleri’s Centro Didattico produzione Musica in Bergamo, and for the Bergamo Jazz Festival. His time in Italy has enabled him to perform with many fine artists, such as Bruno Marini, Guilio Visibelli, Stefano Senni, Paola Milzani and Enzo Zirilli, among many. In October 2003 he toured Italy with guitarist Stef Burns.

He has recorded and performed with blues and swing acts such as Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums and The Johnny Nocturne Band, and since 1994 has been touring and recording with Huey Lewis and the News (and is co composer with Huey and Chris Hayes of “So Little Kindness” on “Time Flies...Greatest Hits” on Elektra Records).

A San Francisco native who grew up in the musically diverse environment that the Bay Area offers, Johnnie has had the opportunity to perform with numerous jazz, classical, latin, R&B and funk groups. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music at San Francisco State University.

Al Schmitt, 19 time Grammie award winning sound engineer has singled out Johnnie as “having one of the best baritone sax tones he’s ever recorded.”

Johnnie has performed and toured with numerous artists including Huey Lewis and the News, Boz Scaggs, The Temptations, Frankie Valli, Tower of Power, Ben E. King, Oscar De Leon, Larry Carlton, Donna Summers, Greg Karrukas, Third World, Four Tops, 2005 Grammy® nominated vocalist Howard Tate, a comeback summer European tour with Sly & the Family Stone in 2007, Elvin Bishop and Bay Area group Bill Champlain’s the Sons of Champlain.

Local Bay Area jazz groups include Silicon Valley Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Fasmania Jazz Orchestra, Full Spectrum Jazz Ensemble, John Worley’s Prez Conference (Supersax tribute to Lester Young) and Bari Bari.

Some of his recording credits include: Celine Dion, Sheryl Crow, Huey Lewis & The News (latest CD to be released), Chris Isaak, Todd Rundgren, Toni Tony Tone, Dianne Schurr, Greg Adams, Taylor Hicks, Elvin Bishop, Steff Burns, Mindi Abair and the motion picture soundtrack for "Duets" starring Gwyneth Paltrow.

As well as being a member of Huey Lewis & The News, Johnnie is an original member of the Greg Adams’ Band "East Bay Soul" (former arranger and trumpet player with The Tower of Power). They recently released their latest CD “East Bay Soul”. He is also in Greg’s studio horn section (Chuck Finley, Lee Thornburg, Nick Lane, Eric Marienthal & Tom Scott). Johnnie spends time both in LA and the Bay Area performing and recording.