Eliot Lewis

Eliot Lewis (born March 10, 1962) is an American rock, and soul singer, multi-instrumentalist and solo artist. He is best known for his work with Average White Band (1989–2002) and Hall & Oates (2003–2023). Lewis was the original featured musician on Live from Daryl's House, an Internet-based show hosted by Daryl Hall that now can be seen on its popular YouTube channel. In addition, Lewis maintains his own successful solo career as well as a prolific output of music.

Early career Lewis grew up in Norwalk, CT, the youngest of three children, in what he describes as a very musical environment. Although his mother was a classical pianist, Lewis’ first instrument was the drums, which he discovered at age 10. When he was 12 years old, he formed his first band, Take Off, with three childhood friends. Richard Totoian, the father of Take Off's bass player Kevin Totoian, worked for several major record labels and was instrumental in exposing young Eliot to many of the artists of the day, including The Who, Elton John, and Alice Cooper. He even arranged a jam session for the boys at his house with Peter Frampton.

At age 16, Lewis picked up the guitar and began writing his own songs. A few years later, recognizing technology's potential impact on music, he taught himself keyboards and bass, and learned to program synthesizers. Today, Lewis plays five instruments, and is a completely self-contained songwriter and musician.

In his early 20s, Lewis was introduced to Dan Hartman, a singer, songwriter, and record producer responsible for hits such as "Free Ride," "Relight My Fire," and "I Can Dream About You."

As a member of the Hall & Oates band, Lewis has played some of the world's most famous venues, including the Hollywood Bowl and Japan's Budokan Arena. He has also performed on popular television shows such as "The Voice," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," and "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Lewis appeared with the Hall & Oates band in the 2010 feature film You Again He played with the Live From Daryl's House band on the anchor float in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade in 2014, and with the Hall & Oates band at the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

In April 2023, Lewis announced his departure from both bands to focus on his own music. While he generally is on keyboards, Lewis has played guitar on several songs; LFDH episode 63, with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, features several guitar solos by Lewis. He played bass on episode No. 18 with The Doors' Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.

Along with his departure from the Hall & Oates band, Lewis announced his plans to depart Live from Daryl's House to pursue his solo career.

His CD, "Live And Up Front," released in November 2013, is his first live recording, and includes songs played during solo dates in Ohio.

In August 2014, Lewis debuted his latest studio CD, an EP titled "Crusade.”

Lewis frequently takes his one-man act on the road, playing clubs, festivals, and intimate venues around New England and parts of the Midwest. His performances focus mostly on his own material, but include tunes from AWB and Hall & Oates, plus some of his favorites songs from artists he has worked with on Live From Daryl's House. While touring the country with Hall & Oates, Lewis occasionally plays solo gigs after the band's shows, with bandmates sometimes joining him on stage.

In January 2015, Lewis released his first music video, "Crusade," directed and produced by Jay Johnson and Ronald Michael, from the CD "Crusade."

In 2022, Lewis collaborated with Big Scenic Nowhere for their cover of the Hall & Oates song "Sara Smile".

Influences Lewis describes his current style as influenced by classic rock, soul, funk, and blues. Musicians who influenced his musical style include Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jack Bruce, Stevie Wonder, and Billy Preston.

He also lists the late musician Tom Wolk as a personal influence. Lewis describes Wolk, longtime band member and musical director for Hall and Oates, as "an amazing person to be around, and not just a very nice guy, he was a masterful musician."

Photography Besides being an accomplished musician, Lewis is recognized as a talented photographer. He has documented his travels with Hall & Oates, shooting landscapes of places the band has played, backstage scenes, and portraits of band members and audiences. His work has been showcased in several New England galleries, and featured on album covers and in Hall & Oates’ promotional materials.

Lewis became interested in photography as a teen and worked in a photo-processing lab before breaking into the music business. He shot occasionally while with AWB, but took up photography again in earnest when he joined Hall & Oates. In 2003, Hall invited Lewis to bring his camera to a video session for the duo's album Our Kind of Soul. Lewis took a few candid shots, one of which became the cover of the album. Since then, Lewis has taken photos for the band's promotional materials and shot the cover of Hall's 2010 solo release Laughing Down Crying.

Brazil In June 2014, Lewis gave his first international interview to Brazil, for the journalist Brina Guglielmo. The interview was given and published in the newspaper "Tribuna Popular," a local newspaper of the city of Pinhalzinho, São Paulo, Brazil.

The White House In March 2015, Lewis was in The White House with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. In his own words: "This is definitely one of the highlights of my career. Thank you Daryl & John for giving me this experience and so happy to have shared it with this amazing band."

Solo albums

Standing On Top of the World (2006) Standing On Top of the World Cloud No. 9 Never Tell Me Innocent (Instrumental) Hello It's Me (Todd Rundgren cover) History The Island (Instrumental) I'll Try Future Plans (Instrumental) Over And Out

6 and One (2010) Galaxy Quest Adventure Jetstream (Instrumental) She's Gone (Hall & Oates cover song) Truth (Instrumental) Love Don't Lie Lost Helpless (Instrumental) Get Back What You Give Go Ahead (Instrumental)

Enjoy The Ride (2012) Determination One Life Dirty (Instrumental) Start to Finish Enjoy The Ride (Instrumental) Soul of the City House on the Corner of the Block Innocence (Instrumental) Highway Earth And Back (Instrumental)

Live And Up Front (2013) Introduction (featuring Corrie Lewis) Never Tell Me Determination Adventure Enjoy The Ride (Instrumental) Live And Learn One Life Soul of the City Helpless (Instrumental) Get Back What You Give Lost

Crusade (2014) Crusade Soundtrack Sonic Soldier (instrumental) History Back to Basics