'If This is It' was NEVER Meant to Have a Guitar Solo

Chris Hayes tells the story of how the hit song "If This Is It" by Huey Lewis and the News was recorded, and reveals how much spontaneity that went into creating this masterpiece. This video is one part of our upcoming "The Guitarist Behind..." interview with Chris Hayes - please subscribe and turn on notifications so you're notified when the full interview releases!

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*CREDITS*
Host/Producer: Mason Marangella
Videographer: Ricky Chavez
Video Editing: Mason Mejia
Audio Editing: Hunter Harrison
Engineer: Gabriel Shepard

*LOCATION*
25th Street Recording, Oakland CA

#theguitaristbehind #chrishayes #hueylewisandthenews #ifthisisit #hueylewis

[SteveSelvidge]

Huge smile for me when he played that solo.

[seatstitcher]

Chris Hayes is a very, very tasteful guitar player. I can’t believe no one ever mentioned him back in the day.

[mikeriesco]

A real musician! Not a show-off, no ego, just creating a memorable part that fits the song perfectly and that everyone will remember and love. This made me smile...

[jonthomas]

What a lovely guy he is. So gracious and happy to chat about these massive hits. And he’s way too humble about his playing. I think he’s a terrific guitarist.

[enricopallazzo]

The laughs at the end brought a tear to my eye, only real players know that laugh and why.

[kennet]

For the record: "If This Is It" peaked at no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Despite their chart success, I've always felt that Huey Lewis and the News has been criminally overlooked in conversations about the greatest rock bands of the 80s. Chris Hayes retired from the band in 2001, so I'm positively surprised to see him here. I'm not a guitar player myself, but Hayes' playing always stood out to me. He also provided harmony vocals, and I gotta say, The News had among the best-sounding harmony vocals in popular music history, up there with The Beatles and The Beach Boys!

[dougfa]

I’ve always loved this guy’s playing. It’s every bit as key to their sound as Huey’s voice! Great band.

[SkunkBearTK]

My 80's trifecta of underrated guitarists: Keith Scott, Elliot Easton, and Chris Hayes. All three have a body of work that has truly stood the test of time.

[holygoat]

He didn't change your solo because it's perfect.

[knockitofff]

Underrated, along the same vein as Elliott Easton, such memorable solos

[Bertwho]

Such an underrated guitar player. Always great note choice

[xxBlazinBobxx]

"Sports" was such an enjoyable album! The 80's were a great time to be alive!

[nmjazz]

Chris solos like a saxophonist. 🎷So melodic!!! Always lifts the song to another level!! 🎸

[robwolfbrandt]

What a sweet guy. I’ve always loved Huey Lewis and the News and thought they were such a talented band.

[rabbleinarms]

best solo ever. The outro is equally as amazing as the intro too. Thank you for doing this video. been my favorite song since I was a kid

[BradMiller]

Chris is such a beast. So melodic with jazz chops too. He was so ahead of his time back then.

[raymondreid]

Johnny Colla is such an underrated guitarist. Without him, the news wouldn't have been this hit machine. His love for great music shows, and he grew with each album.

[lonesomelooch]

Extremely underrated. He's a master of melodic guitar parts. He deserves way more attention.

[jdfolbre]

What a genuine cat. Always cool to find out your heroes are good people.

[javierservigon]

Chris Hayes is super underated... he's incredible