Remembering Tony Lewis: A Rock Music Icon

This November marks the 35th anniversary of the release of Play Deep, The Outfield’s debut album and the work that helped make Tony Lewis a well-known name around the world.

As co-founder of The Outfield with John Spinks, the two took the 80s by storm with their release of Play Deep, which would go on to reach triple platinum sales status with their infectious pop songs, “Your Love,” “All the Love,” and “Say it isn’t So.”

“Your Love" continues to remain one of the most liked songs since and still continues to grow. “Your Love” is currently being played on over a thousand radio stations, has been featured in numerous television shows and movies, has become a stadium anthem with pro sports teams, (including the New England Patriots) and just recently eclipsed over 1 BILLION Streams on Pandora.

Going Solo

After a long and successful career with Spinks, thanks in part to that break from Play Deep, Lewis’s life changed when his friend and partner passed away from cancer in 2014. He found healing in getting back into music, writing and recording solo work with help in part from his wife Carol.

Here at Madison Records we feel deeply blessed to have had the chance to work with Tony Lewis during the launch of his successful solo career. From the release of his solo debut album Out of Darkness to the intimate reflections on Tony Lewis Unplugged -- The Acoustic Sessions, his raw talent and depth of knowledge of music and the industry were awe-inspiring.

Out of the Darkness debuted on the Amazon New Releases Rock Chart at #6, and his single "Into The Light", charted on the Billboard Indicator Top 40 Radio Chart. “Into the Light” was featured on numerous radio outlets including Westwood One, Sirius XM, ABC Radio.com, Maximum Alternative Radio, as well as receiving numerous press features including Forbes, Classic Rock Revisited, SPIN Magazine, AXS, Guitar International, LA Weekly, San Francisco Examiner, NYC Live, & much more!

Our time with Tony was too short, but we are forever thankful for the opportunities we had partnering with this rock music legend. It’s been just over a year since Tony Lewis passed away and we would like to share a few remembrances from his music peers:

Robbie Grey, Modern English

“I worked with Tony on the Retro Futura tour. What I remember most is he liked to laugh and joke. And he had this amazingly high voice, something I could never go near, and he could still sing later in life with that high voice. I looked on YouTube, and The Outfield’s song ‘Your Love’ has over 300 million views. Tony, you live on in your music.”

Limahl, from Kajagoogoo

“In 2018 I was on the Retro Futura tour with Tony. We ate together, drank together, and sang into his cell phone together. We laughed a lot. He was a very positive guy, a nice guy to be around, such great energy. Mostly I remember being in the wings, waiting to go on after his performance, and thinking what a great voice, what a great talent, and playing bass at the same time!”

Sammy Hagar

“Tony had such a great voice. I’ve been a fan…since I first heard him sing. And then a couple of years back he opened for my band The Circle in Spokane. I only knew him from The Outfield, and didn’t know he was doing his solo shows. The second I heard his voice from backstage I freaked out, and came out of my dressing room to watch him perform. Amazing! His voice hadn’t changed at all, and he sounded as good as the first time I heard him on the radio.”

Asia’s John Payne

“My dearest Tony. It’s been 12 months since you passed to the other side, and I miss you terribly. A couple of things I’ve not told you. I know we laughed like a couple of school boys to everyone’s dismay with our English school boy humor. We both loved that.

You were a consummate performer, and your vocal range just made me sick, it was just incredible. There’s not a person on this planet who hasn’t heard you sing ‘Your Love,’ and to hear you sing live it was just like the album. Thank you for letting me play bass on your songs, because I know you wanted to, but you let me.”