Huey Lewis visits Pittsburgh to promote bird conservation film

In 1985, Huey Lewis was asked to write a song for the blockbuster movie “Back to the Future.” The tune turned out to be “The Power of Love,” and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

What Lewis could not have known was that, 37 years later, the same song would end up being used in another movie — a documentary narrated by Lewis’ friend, Pittsburgh native Michael Keaton.

The film is called “Wings Over Water,” and it carries a conservation message about the importance of prairie wetlands in conserving bird populations. It will debut Friday at the Rangos Giant Cinema at the Carnegie Science Center.

Lewis thought so much of the film that he came to Pittsburgh to promote it. He explained to the Tribune-Review on Thursday that he is a conservationist at heart. That’s what led to his involvement with “Wings Over Water” and his decision to let the producers use “The Power of Love” in the documentary.

“Chris Dorsey, (executive producer) of the film, is a friend of mine. He knows I’m a conservationist, so it was a no-brainer. He asked me, ‘Could I have the song?’ and I said, ‘Of course,’ ” Lewis said. “I realize now it was to rope me in. And then I saw the film, and I was just knocked out by it.”

Rocker Huey Lewis talked with me about a film called "Wings Over Water" he's promoting at Carnegie Science Center. Here's part 1 of the interview. pic.twitter.com/ml2LlerRZL

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) May 19, 2022

Lewis normally would be out on the road playing music, his first love. But a significant hearing loss has made that impossible.

“Unfortunately, I can’t hear enough to sing. I can’t hear the music enough,” he said. “Speech is difficult enough. I have hearing aids. I may be headed for a cochlear implant. The silver lining is I have time on my hands. So I have to do things that I care about, and I care about conservation. So, I made a deal with myself that I was going to do whatever I could do to help.”

Lewis called it a “gorgeous” film but also lauded it for bringing up issues about the prairie wetlands, an area that encompasses five states and three Canadian provinces and is home to 70% of the migratory birds in North America.

Part 2 of my interview with Rocker Huey Lewis talking about a film called "Wings Over Water" he's promoting at Carnegie Science Center. pic.twitter.com/QJxWlE2Bes

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) May 19, 2022

“We need to conserve these natural resources. Most people don’t even know about this,” Lewis said. “By the way, there are 3 billion less birds now than there were 50 years ago. So, this is important stuff. The film brings home this message.

“We’re just hoping everybody sees this. It’s not enough for one or two of us to be conservationists. In order for this to work, we all have to get that message,” Lewis said.

Lewis added that his friend Keaton is the perfect narrator for “Wings Over Water.”

“Who else to narrate this movie than ‘Bird Man?’ ” he said. “We’re pals and we fish together, and he’s a great guy.”

The film will be shown in 3D and in 2D daily through Sept. 30 at the Science Center.

“Wetlands are the unsung heroes of nature. We are proud to showcase ‘Wings Over Water’ to raise awareness and encourage protection of these regions that are vital to conserving bird populations and sustaining agriculture,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl Jr. director of the Carnegie Science Center.