The People’s Music Hall of Fame uncovered a significant crack in the music industry: Hundreds of artists haven’t received adequate recognition for their musical contributions.
The Utah-based organization aims to change that by honoring unsung artists. Their first inductee? Huey Lewis.
On Friday, Feb. 7, Lewis will be inducted into the People’s Music Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City.
“There are a significant number of artists who really impacted the lives of so many people that have been overlooked by historic awards in the music industry,” said Caleb Chapman, a co-founder of the People’s Music Hall of Fame.
“This is an opportunity for us to recognize some of those artists that that maybe haven’t received all the accolades and recognition that they deserve for their incredible contributions to society and their impact.
“It’s so important to us to be able to celebrate an artist like Huey Lewis,” Chapman added. “With the amount of his catalog that has remained in the popular culture today, he’s had very few recognitions in the music industry.”
The “Hip to be Square” and “The Power of Love” singer has received limited accolades. Lewis has been nominated for six Grammy awards, but taken home only one. At 74 years old, he has yet to be inducted into any major music halls of fame.
“We really feel like he’s definitely deserving of so much more,” Chapman said.
Lewis will be honored at the two-and-a-half-hour induction ceremony with special appearances from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees, Tom “Bones” Malone of The Blues Brothers and Marc Russo of The Doobie Brothers and Tower of Power.
In addition to the special performances, 200 award-winning, young, local musicians will come together to perform over two dozen of Lewis’ hits.
“This is not a small production,” Chapman noted. “This is a major production with major staging. ... It’s going to be just a great evening of entertainment.”
All proceeds from the event will be donated to music performance scholarships for Utah students. Every dollar raised at the event will be matched up to $250,000.
It’s a cause Lewis is “really excited to be a part of,” Chapman said.
What is the People’s Music Hall of Fame?
The People’s Music Hall of Fame was co-founded by Adam Reader, know as “The Professor of Rock,” and Chapman, who founded The Sound House. Also on the board of founders is Brandon Fugal, entrepreneur and owner of Skinwalker Ranch.
The Huey Lewis celebration will be the organization’s inaugural induction ceremony, but it aims to induct a new artist every year moving forward and build a facility in Salt Lake City to “house memorabilia of these fantastic acts, as well as provide an incredible concert venue for the community,” Chapman said.
“Our hope is that within the next five to 10 years, we’ll be celebrating a ribbon cutting, and we’re already planting the seeds for that,” said Chapman. “Mainly we want to connect the artists that have had a major impact in the past with young musicians and the future of music today.”
Tickets for the People’s Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony
A limited number of tickets are still available for the People’s Music Hall of Fame honoring Huey Lewis on Friday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Eccles Theater.
Tickets are available to purchase here, through Salt Lake Country Art Tix. Tickets start at $20 each.