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By Jon Gosa

VALDOSTA — Eighties rock/pop icons Huey Lewis and the News played to a large and enthusiastic crowd at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta as part of the park’s Summer Concert Series, proving that the group, after 37 years, is still tuned in to the heart of rock ‘n’ roll.

The News, along with frontman Lewis, established themselves during the 1980s as world-class songwriters and performers. The group’s Motown blues/rock ‘n’ roll sound, along with Lewis’ characteristic husky voice and more than proficient harmonica skills, stood out among the era’s other electronic pop-driven stars like Madonna and Michael Jackson.

The band released its self-titled debut album in 1980, which received very little commercial success, but the News’ third album, “Sports” (1983), spun off Top 10 hits like “I Want A New Drug,” “Heart and Soul,” “If This Is It,” and “The Heart of Rock and Roll.” “Sports” went on to sell more than seven million copies.

The group rocketed further into the pop stratosphere of success after writing two songs for the soundtrack of the blockbuster Michael J. Fox film “Back to the Future,” in which Lewis makes a cameo appearance. “The Power of Love,” whose anthem-like beat captured the movie’s excitement and the romance between protagonist Fox and his girlfriend, went all the way to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“What can I say,” Lewis teased during the Wild Adventures performance. “So many hits, and so little time.”

Lewis, 66, didn’t miss a beat during the energetic performance in Valdosta, and being the consummate showman that he is, he worked the crowd into such a frenzy that the entire audience chanted, “Huey, Huey, Huey,” until the group returned to the stage for several encore songs, including “The Power of Love.”

“Who knew when we wrote and recorded this song that we would have to play it every night of our lives,” Lewis joked about the No. 1 hit single.

In 2015, Lewis told USA Today that he almost passed on “Back To the Future.”

“I had a meeting with Bob Gale (writer of the BTTF trilogy) and (producer) Steven Spielberg, and (Robert) Zemeckis says, ‘We’ve just written this movie, and the lead character Marty McFly’s favorite band would be Huey Lewis and the News. Would you write a song for the film?’ I said, ‘I’m flattered, but I don’t know how to write for film.’ Plus, I didn’t fancy writing a song called ‘Back to the Future.’”

After Zemeckis assured Lewis he’d have creative control, the singer agreed.

“It turns out it’s pretty easy to write for film, on one level.” Lewis told USA Today. “All writing is difficult. But, writing for a movie can be inspirational somehow and almost liberating, because you are not writing for yourself.”

The band is still writing hit-worthy material and debuted one of its new songs during the Wild Adventures performance.

Lewis joked with the crowd, “I know, I know, you guys are tired of the old songs and you want to hear new stuff, right? Well, here it is. It’s called ‘Her Love is Killing Me,’ and I want you all to envision owning your very own copy of this song when it’s released next month.”

The song, which features a blues-infused, harmonica-driven back-beat, details the trials and tribulations of maintaining a relationship.

Lewis’ songs, whose themes touch on the timeless subjects of angst and the celebration of life’s important things — love, women, music, and heartbreak — have given the band real staying power among fans over the years as the group has continued to tour.

With at least 48 dates scheduled across the United States for 2017, Lewis and the News show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.