Lew Lewis

Keith "Lew" Lewis (21 April 1953 – 16 April 2021) was an English harmonica player and vocalist, who was a member of Eddie and the Hot Rods before forming his own bands. Influenced in style by Little Walter, he also guested on albums by The Stranglers, The Clash and others.

Career Lewis was born in Hammersmith, London, England, and moved to Canvey Island when he was thirteen. He soon became friends with Lee Brilleaux, who taught Lewis to play harmonica. Lewis' first performances were as a member of the Southside Jug Band on Canvey Island, which included future Dr Feelgood members Brilleaux and John B Sparks, together with Chris White. Guitarist Dave Higgs joined and they renamed themselves the Fix.

Higgs later invited Lewis to become a member of Eddie and the Hot Rods,

He then released a solo single for Stiff Records, their fifth single "Boogie on the Street" / "Caravan Man", backed by a thinly disguised Dr Feelgood; and which was covered by Dr Feelgood on their album Sneakin' Suspicion and also appears in the film, Oil City Confidential.

His album Save the Wail (1979) produced by Paul Riley, featured Buzz Barwell (ex Dr. Feelgood) and Bob Clouter (Ex Mickey Jupp's The Orioles) on drums, Rick Taylor and Pete Zear on guitars and Johnny Squirrel on bass, collectively known as Lew Lewis Reformer, they were, stylistically, "between pub rock and blues-rock". The 2002 CD reissue of Save the Wail, also included the Stiff singles, "Boogie on the Street" and "1–30, 2–30, 3–35", as well as live recordings from 1977 and 1979.

His death was announced by the CanveyIsland.org website on 17 April 2021.

Discography With Eddie and the Hot Rods "Writing on the Wall" / "Cruisin' (in the Lincoln)" (1976) "Wooly Bully" / "Horseplay (Weary of the Schmaltz)" (1976)

As Lew Lewis and his Band "Boogie on the Street" / "Caravan Man" (1976) Stiff (BUY 5) "Out for a Lark" / "Watch Yourself" (1977) United Artists

As Lew Lewis Reformer "Lucky Seven" / "Night Talk" (1978) Stiff (LEW1) "Win Or Lose" / "Photo-Finish" (1979) Stiff (BUY 48) Save the Wail (1979) Stiff (SEEZ 16), re-released with bonus tracks in 2002 on Hux 033 "1–30, 2–30, 3–35" / "The Mood I'm In" (1980) Stiff (BUY 68)

As Lew Lewis Boogie on the Street Again! (1999) CD (Vinyl Japan 82) "Shame, Shame, Shame" / "Louie Louie" (1987) (Waterfront Records WTF 35)

As The Oil City Sheiks "Don't Take but a Few Minutes" / "Blues Jam" (1979) As Wilko Johnson & Lew Lewis Band " I Wanna Be Your Lover"/"Caravan Man" (1983)(Magnum Force Records, Carrere Distribution;13188/1 & 13188/2)

Compilations Hits Greatest Stiffs (1977) Stiff Last Compilation Stiff Motorway Cassette Stiff – unclear if ever issued Live and Rare – Eddie and the Hot Rods (1993) Receiver Best of Sniff 'n' the Tears – Sniff 'n' the Tears (2000) Chiswick Do Anything You Wanna Do – Eddie and the Hot Rods (2000) Spectrum Stiff, Stiffer, Stiffest: A Stiff Records Collection (2001) The UA Singles '77–'79 – The Stranglers (2001) EMI