Heart with Lynch Mob in Moline

Ann Wilson and her younger sister, Nancy Wilson first showed the world that women can rock when their band Heart stormed the charts in the ’70s with hits like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” ‘Straight On,” “Even It Up,” “Kick It Out” and so many more.  They continued topping the charts through the ‘80s and into the ‘90s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as both musicians and singers. Along the way, Heart sold more than 30 million records, had 21 top 40 hits, sold out arenas worldwide, and had a profound influence on rock music.

In the mid-’90s, Ann and Nancy returned to Seattle and formed The Lovemongers, with long-time collaborator Sue Ennis and performer Frank Cox. After playing a number of sold-out shows in Seattle, Lovemongers cut Led Zeppelin’s “Battle of Evermore” for the triple platinum soundtrack from the movie Singles, which was one of Nancy Wilson’s first musical collaborations with her husband, filmmaker (and Singles writer/director) Cameron Crowe.  This was followed by their work together on Jerry Maguire, the Grammy and Oscar winning Almost Famous, Vanilla Sky, and Elizabethtown.

After nearly 20 years of working together, each of the Wilson sisters took some time off to start their families and pursue solo projects. Nancy scored films and recorded a solo project, Live from McCabes. She and Cameron became the parents of Billy and Curtis, twin sons now 6 years old.   Ann, now the mother of 14-year-old Marie and 7-year-old Dustin, made her theatrical debut in “Teatro Zinzanni,” followed by a stint in the NW production of “Vagina Monologues.”  She  also toured the U.S. and Japan with an all-star ensemble company in “Abbey Road: A Tribute to the Beatles.”

The sisters reunited as Heart in early 2002, touring extensively to sold-out audiences for three summers, during which time they released a critically acclaimed live concert film on DVD and CD, Heart Alive In Seattle, followed in 2004 by Jupiters Darling, the first new Heart studio album in a decade, produced by Nancy and featuring 15 original songs. Classic Rock magazine hailed Jupiters Darling as a career tour de force, calling it “the only record you need to buy this year.”  Television appearances on “The Today Show,” “Ellen,” “Conan O’Brien,” “CMT Crossroads (with Wynonna Judd)”, and more followed its release. In December 2005, PBS aired a two-hour SoundStage special, showcasing songs from Jupiters Darling as well as many classic Heart hits, also available on DVD (Koch).

In 2006, Heart returns to the road again, in support of their Love Songs project for Legacy Records, a compilation of Heart hits, some in new versions, and a few brand new recordings of Ann and Nancy’s favorite covers including Elton John’s “Love Song.”  2006 will also mark the release of the first ever solo project by Ann Wilson (Rounder Records).  Produced by Ben Mink (k.d. lang, BareNaked Ladies), the CD is a collection of songs of social conscience.  Several guest artists will lend their performances to this landmark project, including Elton John.