Chris Hayes - Episode 775

Source:
www.podbean.com/eau/pb-hgghv-...
Steve Cooper talks with musician Chris Hayes. Chris is best known for being lead guitarist for Huey Lewis and the News. As well as playing guitar and singing backing-vocals, he became an established rock songwriter, and would often put Huey’s lyrics to music. He left the band in the year 2000, to spend more time with his family; although has occasionally filled in for the News’ current lead guitarist, Stef Burns.

[@HueyTribute]

Chris is a bit hard to track down so I appreciated finding this interview. He’s a super underrated and under appreciated guitar player. Amazing talent for writing a hook that truly serves the song. Walking on a Thin Line is one of the best guitar solos out there. All the best to Chris Hayes and it would be an honor to get to play with him someday. Thanks again for the interview Steve.

[@bigdawg7262]

The band never was the same once Chris and Mario left. Chris was the engine of that band IMO.

[@defiverr4697]

So true

[@Ticonderoga12]

I totally agree, without his genius guitar licks i dont believe the group would have succeeded.

[@BuscaLoEsencial]

Absolutely. He wrote the best songs.

[@iansnyder274]

Never the same. Irreplaceable.

[@lizlandes500]

I want to tell you that I appreciate this interview with Chris Hays more than I can say. I really didn’t know all this about him. This provided so much insight for me. It’s like I was getting to know him too. This interview was a while ago, so I hope you can eventually do a new interview with him ❤️

[@BCBell]

So...I'm 48. Been a HLN fan since I was 13...was OBSESSIVE over these guys throughout (and for a while, beyond) high school. In all my years, this is the first time I've ever heard Chris talk (!). I've talked to Bill before....92 HaP tour, met him in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis...great guy. But yeah, first time hearing Chris. Sounds very California lol. Oh, and Chris is the reason I picked up a guitar for the first time, and still play to this day.

[@creamydistortion]

He talks in the VH1 behind the music... He explains how he used a 6 pack of beer to write 'Stuck With You'...

[@gregevans8147]

@@creamydistortion and his voice sounds quite different now.

[@patrickkasmir3914]

Same reason I picked up a guitar also, Chris made such a impact on me when I was young

[@alwaysemployed656]

The only guitarist I've ever seen that does not make goody faces while playing. Even in front of a huge crowed, it seemed like he spaced out everyone around him so he could get deep into the zone while playing. I really liked that about him. You can tell he takes playing the guitar very seriously. As far as skills goes, one of the best versatile guitarists ever. He can do a little bit of everything and do it extremely well. And he blended very well with The News. He never stood out and he was never buried at the back. He stood even with the rest of the guys.

[@android584]

I can see why Huey wanted Chris to stay, he's fairly irreplaceable as the band's lead guitarist.

[@chadchesney3858]

“Pretty decent”?? Chris always a humble rock star. FORE was AWESOME. I put those three albums “Picture This”, “Sports and “Fore” against anyone’s. I mean we’re talking Beatles territory here. That run from 82 to 86 was just amazing, LEGENDARY. And “Small World” wasn’t bad. Just was something different. Great interview. Wish Chris did more of them. Wish he did some stuff for the official KZbin channel. I wish he was more visible and “in the fold” so to speak. Huey and the News still have a legion of fans. And since we can’t have new music anymore we want stories. We want to hear more from Chris.

[@Ticonderoga12]

My idol growing up, luv him

[@bluecent]

Hey Chris, Power of Love was on the FORE! issues outside of the USA.

[@iansnyder274]

Great interview. I am a huge Chris Hayes fan and the News of course. What a great guy! He is a criminally underrated guitar player. He is one of my early guitar inspirations. I have been playing since 1981 or 1982...can't remember.

[@CooperTalkpodcast]

Glad you enjoyed it. He was a really cool guy. Thanks for listening.

[@deannaleavitt1754]

Saw you guys every time you came to Birmingham Alabama! Love you Chris!

[@patrickkasmir3914]

Chris is such a down to earth great dude. A few years ago I e-mailed him to say what an influence he has been on me and my guitar playing since I was 12 years old.(I’m 49 now). And how his music was my child and teenage years soundtrack, He messaged me back 1 day later! thanking me for my kind words and was just a generous and genuine guy. Class act all the way

[@Ticonderoga12]

I wud jus luv to meet him one day b4 i die

[@MusicMemorial]

What's Chris's email? How did you find it? I would love to tell him how much of an inspiration he is to my little son!

[@cgan2013]

Thoroughly enjoyed this interview!! I was a huge Huey/News fan back in the day…my favorite band growing up (and old). I had wondered much about Chris in recent years, wondering what had become of him. I am so glad I found this!

[@MusicMemorial]

Favorite Huey/News song?

[@BrianKitching-wv5nh]

Is Chris Hayes still alive,and how old is he now,i loved him in his band with Huey Lewis he was so handsome when he was young.

[@The68lespaul]

WOW !! Hello, to everyone, big Huey Lewis fan here, also a guitarist, lol, i was too young to see any of there shows, i was turned on to H.L.A.T.N. about 10 yr,s ago, since then i had to self learn all of Chris,s guitar parts , i agree with most of what people say about his playing, every time i play a show, im asked who,s your favorite guitarist ? im inspired by many guitarist,s , if i hear a guy in a band i like the music of, i dig deeper into it, of course the bands name and who there guitarist is, an ill listen to his work on the neck or the fret board, lol, to gain a sense of there feel for the guitar, its more of an expression in the way each one plays the fret board, say such as fingering , scale patterns , etc : im sure i havent heard half of the many thousands of guitarist,s out there, that would inspire me even more, at this juncture in my life, being a young man , ive created my own way of i guess you could say attacking the fret board,lol, i think anyone who undertakes the playing of an instrument is always going to find musicians who inspire them, speaking for myself, i dont have any one guitarist thats would be like all i would listen to, its best to listen to as many people /musicians as possible , so you can develop your skills , and play your instrument the way you wish to express yourself , its listening to guitarists play that has helped me play the way i do, though ive never had any professional training to speak of, all by ear, and listening to other great guitar player,s that has enabled me to become the kind of player that i am today, ive watched Chris Hayes in the Huey Lewis video,s his playing to me, seems very bluesy , he has a unique feel in that his runs are scale pattern type, with some added notes ,hes got a great sense of the fret board, truth be told, i have incorporated some of his playing into my own, thanks Chris,lol, hes IMO a pretty good guitarist, to be sure , as a seasoned player, if he wasnt good, i wouldn't of bothered wasting my time with listening to Huey,s band , it was how i heard the guitar that peaked my interest, then after watching the bands video,s it was clear Chris came up with some great guitar structures, part,s ,idea,s etc: for arranging the songs to sound the way they do, they had number one hits, thats saying something about Chris, and his playing, he really put it down great, and added his guitar prowess and helped to create great number one hits, hes a very talented guy,for sure, and a great guitar player , plus his playing has helped me add a few extra,s to my own way of playing , listening to great guitarist,s is an excellent way to Learn how to become one yourself, helping to define the kind of player a person can be , or chooses to be, its an art form a form of expression ! i wish Chris many year,s of great times with his family, and the legacy of Huey Lewis , thanks for the awesome music Chris, ive enjoyed listening to you play , you,ve inspired me, im sure im not the only one , the best of Luck to you sir, ROCK AN ROLL !!! W.H.W. 3-23-23 William .

[@officialswillis]

What a wonderful interview - many thanks indeed / a great insight into what appears a genuinely wonderful, integral and inspired gentleman and musician - I do hope you don’t mind, but I’ve shared this amongst a Facebook community I’m a part of who I’m sure will really dig the time you put into creating this great interview. My grateful thanks and best wishes, Sam

[@CooperTalkpodcast]

Thank you for listening.

[@PatrickMrSmith]

What an amazing interview Steve. This is very very cool to listen Chris Hayes is one of my favorite musicians ever and I Love Huey Lewis and the News so much. What a great story with you dressing up like the band and going on Ellen show and getting to talk to Chris. Good for you Steve, stay safe and thanks for the really great inspiring video!

[@android584]

Talk about being in the right place at the right time... He just happened to live next to a friend Huey's. Would have liked to have heard more about why he quit, I got impression that he felt that the lifestyle was impairing his ability to function optimally.

[@EFunkRock]

He’s said in an interview around 2000 that he left the group because he wanted to focus solely on his expanding family. He’s a married husband & father of three and his priorities were more on family than a career. For that, I commend him fully because most musicians would likely not have done that and I commend Huey for supporting his decision to leave. Yeah, Chris Hayes is criminally underrated as a guitarist but if he’s happy in life, then that’s a win-win for all.

[@Ticonderoga12]

In another interview he said he regretted not being around much when his 1st son was born from his previous marriage and he jus got tired of all the traveling and he developed issues with his lower back from standing so much for all those years

[@clarkehylton]

There was a podcast episode he did somewhere--don't remember where--around the time the pandemic started when he said it was also about maintaining his sobriety. He seemed to allude to that a bit in this interview without saying it.