Article by media partner Cuisine Noir, the country’s first Black culinary lifestyle outlet since 2009 dedicated to connecting the African diaspora through food, drink and travel.
The warm, smooth tenor voice that has uplifted, inspired and soothed R&B fans for more than four decades still draws concertgoers across the globe. It takes passion and healthy habits for Howard Hewett to still perform some 110 concerts a year as a solo artist and with his group, Shalamar.
Yet his rise to Grammy-winner fame might not have happened without a mother who was a gospel promoter and sisters ready to back him up on stage.
“So it started when I was ten. I remember my mom was literally the one who pushed me out on stage,” says Hewett. “This is the first time I’d been on stage, and I was like, ‘Mom. I can’t go out there.’ And she was like, ‘No, boy, you’re going out there!’”
The professional career that began at age ten now belongs to a septuagenarian whose commitment to maintaining good health nourishes his passion for performing. “I thank God every day that I wake up that this is what I do. I’m 70 years old now, and I’ve been doing this since I was ten,” Hewett declares. “I think the thing that keeps me going is just knowing I can and knowing that music can make a difference.”
Passion for Staying Healthy
A few years ago, the legendary singer-songwriter recognized that the pounds he had gained traveling the world and entertaining fans of all ages were weighing him down. Hewett started a workout and eating regimen that took pounds off.
“Before I went on that regimen, I weighed about 210 pounds. That was way too overweight. I didn’t feel right, my clothes weren’t fitting right. It was terrible. My feel-good weight is about 170 to 175,” says the R&B singer.
Hewett had another reason to get in better shape besides his demanding performance schedule. His family’s history with diabetes made him acutely aware of the importance of maintaining healthy habits.
“I’m pre-diabetes. That was diagnosed about ten years ago. I’ve always kept it under control because you can reverse type 2 diabetes, especially when you lose weight.
The California resident’s mom passed away from diabetic complications in 1992. Hewett recognizes his life expectancy depends on controlling his weight and what he eats.
“I try to watch my carbs and check my glucose levels as much as I can to keep everything cool. No fried foods, low-carbs. You need some fat, but you can’t overdo it,” he states.
By Phyllis Armstrong
