New Interview and Pics!
5/31/08
courtesy randee st. nicholas / peters managementTheir music still has lots of Heart
The Wilson sisters rocked rock 'n' roll's boat in the '70s by leading a band
By Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com
What was once the "little ship of dreams" will set sail again this summer for Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart.
That lyrical image from 1976's "Dreamboat Annie" was tossed about a bit by "turbulent seas" within the band when the early '80s came around. But since then, the Seattle-based sister team have managed to keep things on a manageable course. It's been strong and steady, especially over the last four years, and Heart will reconnect with their fans on the mainland throughout the summer starting in July on a tour bill that includes fellow perennials Cheap Trick and headliner Journey.
Before that, though, the band will enjoy a working vacation in the islands, starting with a sold-out show at the Blaisdell Concert Hall next Thursday, followed by a concert at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island on Friday the 13th.
Heart's classic rock status with a new generation has already been ensured with their appearances on two Guitar Hero video games: "Crazy on You" on the second edition and "Barracuda" on the latest Legends of Rock game. Plus the band appeared on the "American Idol" charity show, "Idol Gives Back," early last month, as guest Fergie wailed on "Barracuda" with Ann Wilson.
Still holding the distinction of being one of the few major rock bands led by women, Heart, especially between the years '76 and '80, were on a creative and touring tear. Besides the aforementioned songs, the band, at its height, sounded at times like a lighter but still kicking variant of Led Zeppelin, with songs like "Little Queen," "Love Alive" and "Bebe Le Strange" approximating the originals English folk-and-rock crunch.
Wilson was one of the lucky ones who saw the band's hotly anticipated reunion concert in London last December.
"It was like a dream come true. Me and three pilgrims flew over first class on British Airways and we had a great time. With the knowledge that it was probably going to be the last time to see them play together, it really had people there in a highly emotional state. I remember I kept texting Nancy, who had to stay home because her kids were sick, saying, 'Oh my God, they're doing "In My Time of Dying!" and, 'Now they're doing "Kashmir!"' It got to a point that she wrote back saying, 'Hey, just watch the show!'
"And I was surprised how much of an effect Robert Plant still had on me. I was always a huge fan of his. He's like a muse for me, and to see him again at his age, he just emanated so much sexuality. He was so natural and just had this fire I hadn't seen in most young guys. I might be super biased, but they don't build rock singers like that anymore. He had such an easy way of moving, and when he preened, he preened cool!"
But in the meantime, the life of Heart continues on.
"We started as a cover bar band, but really, it's been the combination of people in this group that has kept it going," Wilson said. "The best thing for us in recent years was to remain independent, so we could have more room to move and be creative. I admit we've been pretty obstinate through the years, and it's both helped and hurt us. But we're rock 'n' roll survivors, and the fact that we still can do it in person - and with no lip syncing - shows it's real and is a testament of how much we still want to do it." Read complete article here.
courtesy randee st. nicholas / peters management
courtesy randee st. nicholas / peters managementThe band looks amazing! Ann is so stunning.
This can also be found on the Heartlinker!
