Heart is an American rock band that rose to fame in the mid-1970s and continued to achieve success over the ensuing decades. The band is particularly known for its strong lead vocals and distinctive guitar work, spearheaded by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Their music spans various genres including rock, hard rock, and folk rock, characterized by powerful ballads and energetic rock anthems.
Before Heart became the iconic band known worldwide, its roots can be traced back to several earlier bands in the 1960s and early 1970s. Ann Wilson, born on June 19, 1950, in San Diego, California, and her younger sister Nancy, born on March 16, 1954, in San Francisco, were musically inclined from a young age.
They were influenced by a variety of music, ranging from classical to rock. Ann Wilson joined a local band called White Heart in 1967, which eventually changed its name to Hocus Pocus. Meanwhile, Nancy pursued her education but was also deeply involved in music, performing as a solo artist and in other groups.
In the early 1970s, Ann joined a Seattle-based band called Army, which later became known as Heart. It was during this time that Ann met guitarist Roger Fisher and bassist Steve Fossen. With the addition of Ann’s powerful vocals, the band started to develop its signature sound. Nancy joined the band in 1974, bringing with her not only exceptional guitar skills but also a cohesive chemistry that would become central to Heart’s identity.
Heart’s formation as a cohesive unit is often attributed to the personal and professional relationships among its members. Ann’s joining of Army, which soon became White Heart and then Heart, was pivotal. The band at that time included Roger Fisher on guitar, Steve Fossen on bass, and eventually Michael Derosier on drums and Howard Leese on keyboards and guitar.
With Nancy’s arrival in 1974, Heart began to solidify its lineup. The Wilson sisters’ dynamic and familial bond, combined with the talented musicians in the band, set the stage for their future success. Heart’s breakthrough came with their debut album, “Dreamboat Annie,” recorded in Vancouver, Canada, and released in 1975 by Mushroom Records.
Dreamboat Annie
The album was a mix of hard rock and folk-influenced melodies, showcasing the versatile talents of the band members. Notable tracks included “Magic Man,” “Crazy on You,” “How Deep It Goes,” and the title track “Dreamboat Annie.” These songs highlighted Ann’s powerful and wide-ranging voice along with Nancy’s skillful acoustic and electric guitar work.
“Dreamboat Annie” was a commercial success, propelled by extensive touring and strong radio airplay. The album’s success was not just due to its catchy and well-crafted songs but also the band’s charismatic performances and the Wilson sisters’ distinct blend of harmonies and instrumentation. The album eventually went platinum in the United States, marking the beginning of Heart’s rise to fame.
Magazine
“Magazine” is Heart’s third studio album, initially released in 1977 amidst a contentious legal battle with Mushroom Records. Following the unexpected success of their debut album “Dreamboat Annie,” Heart began recording new material. However, disputes with Mushroom over contract issues and creative control led the band to switch to Portrait Records.
Mushroom responded by prematurely releasing incomplete recordings of “Magazine,” leading to a court order that required the album to be withdrawn. The band later re-recorded and remixed the tracks, and “Magazine” was officially re-released in April 1978. The album features a mix of hard rock and ballads,
showcasing the band’s versatility and the Wilson sisters’ signature style. Despite the legal struggles, “Magazine” achieved commercial success, further solidifying Heart’s place in rock music history. The album featured three singles: “Heartless,” “Magazine, “and “Without You.” “Heartless” was the most successful,
peaking at number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Ann Wilson’s powerful vocals and the band’s hard rock edge. The second single, “Without You,” is a cover of the Badfinger classic made famous by Harry Nilsson, and it demonstrated Heart’s ability to interpret and deliver poignant ballads. Both singles contributed to the album’s success, helping it achieve platinum status.
Little Queen
“Little Queen,” released in May 1977, is Heart’s third studio album, solidifying their place in the rock music scene following their debut success. The album features a blend of hard rock and folk influences, showcasing the band’s musical versatility. The album includes three singles: “Barracuda,” “Little Queen,” and “Kick It Out.”
“Barracuda,” known for its aggressive guitar riff and Ann Wilson’s powerful vocals, became one of Heart’s signature songs, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The title track “Little Queen” reached number 62, while “Kick It Out” also charted, emphasizing the band’s energetic rock style. “Little Queen” achieved platinum status, further cementing Heart’s reputation and influence in rock music.
Dog & Butterfly
“Dog & Butterfly,” released in October 1978, is Heart’s fourth studio album and represents a creative high point for the band, blending acoustic and hard rock elements. The album is divided into two sides: “Dog” features rock-oriented tracks, while “Butterfly” contains softer, folk-influenced songs. It produced two singles: “Straight On” and “Dog & Butterfly.”
“Straight On,” known for its funky bass line and strong vocals, reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a staple in Heart’s live performances. The title track “Dog & Butterfly” is a delicate, reflective ballad that showcases Nancy Wilson’s acoustic guitar skills and Ann Wilson’s emotive singing, although it didn’t chart as high. The album was well-received, achieving platinum status and further establishing Heart’s reputation for musical versatility and emotional depth.
Bébé le Strange
“Bébé le Strange,” released in February 1980, is Heart’s fifth studio album, marking a significant transition with the departure of founding member Roger Fisher. The album features a harder rock sound compared to its predecessors. It produced three singles: “Even It Up,” “Bébé le Strange,” and “Sweet Darlin’.” “Even It Up,” characterized by its driving rhythm and bold brass section,
became the standout single, peaking at number 33 on the Billboard Hot 100. The title track, “Bébé le Strange,” showcases the band’s rock edge but did not achieve significant chart success. “Sweet Darlin'” is a softer ballad that highlights the band’s versatility. Despite the lineup changes, the album was commercially successful, reaching gold status and reaffirming Heart’s place in the rock genre.
Heart’s album have continue though the years. Released in June 1982, “Private Audition” marked a significant transitional period for Heart. This album saw the departure of longtime members Steve Fossen (bass) and Mike Derosier (drums) shortly after its release. Produced by the Wilson sisters and Mike Flicker, it didn’t achieve the commercial success of previous efforts. The leading singles included
“This Man Is Mine,” which reached No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “City’s Burning.” “Passionworks,” released in August 1983, introduced new band members Mark Andes (bass) and Denny Carmassi (drums), marking a shift towards a more polished, mainstream rock sound. Produced by Keith Olsen, the album featured the single “How Can I Refuse?”
which peaked at No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, showcasing the band’s evolving style and sound. Released in July 1985, “Heart” was a major commercial comeback for the band, produced by Ron Nevison. This self-titled album saw Heart embracing a glam metal and pop rock sound, leading to massive success.
The album generated several hit singles, including “What About Love,” “Never,” “These Dreams” (which became the band’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100), and “Nothin’ at All.” The lineup remained stable with Ann and Nancy Wilson, Mark Andes, and Denny Carmassi. “Bad Animals,” released in June 1987, continued Heart’s successful partnership with producer Ron Nevison.
This album further solidified their pop rock and glam metal sound. It included hit singles such as “Alone” (their second No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100), “Who Will You Run To,” and “There’s the Girl.” The album went multi-platinum, confirming Heart’s ability to adapt to the 1980s rock scene. Released in March 1990,
“Brigade” was produced by Richie Zito and continued Heart’s string of commercial successes. The album featured the hit singles “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You” (No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100), “I Didn’t Want to Need You,” and “Stranded.” The album’s hard rock edge and polished production kept the band relevant in the early 1990s.
“Desire Walks On,” released in November 1993, saw Heart experimenting with different sounds and styles. The album included contributions from various session musicians and marked the end of their mainstream commercial peak. Singles like “Will You Be There (In the Morning)” and “Black on Black II” were moderately successful,
but the album did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessors. Released in September 2001, “Heart Presents a Lovemongers’ Christmas” saw Heart adopting the name “Lovemongers” for a Christmas-themed project. It included a mix of classic Christmas songs and original compositions. This album highlighted the Wilson sisters’ vocal harmonies and offered a more intimate, acoustic sound compared to their rock-oriented albums.
“Jupiters Darling,” released in June 2004, marked a return to Heart’s classic rock roots. The album was produced by Nancy Wilson and included singles like “The Perfect Goodbye” and “Oldest Story in the World.” Despite positive reviews, it did not achieve significant commercial success but was appreciated for its return to the band’s earlier sound.
Released in August 2010, “Red Velvet Car” was produced by Ben Mink and signified another comeback for Heart. The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200, their first top 10 album in 20 years. Singles like “WTF” and “Hey You” showcased the band’s blend of rock and folk influences, with strong critical acclaim for its mature sound.
“Fanatic,” released in October 2012, was produced by Ben Mink and saw Heart continuing to explore their hard rock roots. The album featured the singles “Fanatic” and “Dear Old America.” It received positive reviews and debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200, demonstrating the band’s enduring appeal and relevance.
Released in July 2016, “Beautiful Broken” was produced by Nancy Wilson and Dan Rothchild. The album included a mix of new songs and reimagined versions of tracks from their earlier albums. The title track, featuring Metallica’s James Hetfield, was released as a single. The album received positive reviews for its fresh take on older material and the band’s continued creativity.
Heart has had 15 studio albums, 9 live albums, 9 compilation albums, 35 music videos, and 64 singles. Of their studio albums, 7 placed in the US Billboard Top Ten, and 20 of their singles placed in the US Billboard Top 40. In 2014, Heart recorded two songs for “The Art of McCartney” Wings cover album, “Band on the Run” and “Letting Go”.
Ann & Nancy Wilson have also recorded albums under the moniker Lovemongers besides the aforementioned Christmas album. They were the 1997 “Whirlygig, and the 1992 “Battle of Evermore” a live EP of cover songs.
Heart has covered several Led Zeppelin songs throughout their career, both in live performances and studio recordings. The Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, are known for their admiration of Led Zeppelin, and their renditions of the band’s songs are well-regarded.
Here is a list of Led Zeppelin songs that Heart has covered:
- “Rock and Roll” – Often performed live, including a notable performance at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012.
- “Stairway to Heaven” – Covered live, famously at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012.
- “The Battle of Evermore” – Covered on their 1993 live album The Road Home and often performed live.
- “Black Dog” – Performed live, including on the Dreamboat Annie Live DVD.
- “Immigrant Song” – Covered live during various concerts.
- “Going to California” – Frequently performed live and included in the 1995 live album The Road Home.
- “Misty Mountain Hop” – Occasionally performed live in their concerts.
- “What Is and What Should Never Be” – Performed live, including on the Dreamboat Annie Live DVD.
- “No Quarter” – Covered live in concert.
I’ve always kidded with my friends, that the closest I ever was to seeing the original Led Zeppelin live, was seeing Heart in concert!
Heart has received numerous awards and honors throughout their illustrious career, highlighting their significant impact on rock music. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, a recognition of their influence and longevity. In 2008, they received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, celebrating their contributions to the entertainment industry. The Wilson sisters were honored with the ASCAP Founders Award[1] in 2009, acknowledging their pioneering role and creative accomplishments in music.
Additionally, Heart has received multiple Grammy Award nominations over the years, showcasing their excellence in musical performance and production. Their heartfelt tribute to Led Zeppelin at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors[2] remains a standout moment, receiving widespread acclaim for their rendition of “Stairway to Heaven.”
Footnotes
- The ASCAP Founders Award is one of the most prestigious honors given by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). It is awarded to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music and have influenced the industry in a significant way. Recipients of the Founders Award are recognized for their enduring impact on music and their role in shaping the future of songwriting. The award celebrates lifetime achievements and acknowledges the creativity and dedication of these artists. Notable recipients include legends such as Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, and the Wilson sisters of Heart, who received the award in 2009 for their groundbreaking work and influence in rock music. [Back]
- The Kennedy Center Honors is an annual award given by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to American culture through the performing arts. Established in 1978, the Honors celebrate an artist’s lifetime achievements and their impact on American arts. Recipients come from various fields including music, dance, theater, opera, film, and television. The honorees are celebrated in a gala event attended by the President of the United States and other dignitaries, featuring performances and tributes by peers and admirers. Notable past honorees include Aretha Franklin, Meryl Streep, and Led Zeppelin. In 2012, Heart performed a memorable tribute to Led Zeppelin, showcasing their enduring influence and paying homage to their musical heroes. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia “Dreamboat Annie” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreamboat_Annie
- Wikipedia “Magazine (Heart album)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magazine_(Heart_album)
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. “Little Queen – Heart.” AllMusic, AllMusic.
- Wikipedia “Bébé le Strange” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9b%C3%A9_le_Strange
- Wikipedia “Dog & Butterfly (album)” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_%26_Butterfly_(album)
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. “Heart – Biography & History.” AllMusic, AllMusic.
- Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. Billboard Books, 2004.
- Bego, Mark. Heart: The Road Home. St. Martin’s Press, 1995.
- “Heart Discography.” Billboard, Billboard.
- “Heart Albums Ranked.” Ultimate Classic Rock, Ultimate Classic Rock.
- Wikipedia “List of Heart band members” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Heart_band_members
- Wikipedia “Heart discography” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_discography
- Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. “Heart – Biography & History.” AllMusic, AllMusic.
- “Heart Pays Tribute to Led Zeppelin.” Kennedy Center Honors 2012, YouTube.
- “Dreamboat Annie Live.” Heart, Discogs.
- “Heart Biography.” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rockhall.
- “Hollywood Walk of Fame – Heart.” Walk of Fame, Walk of Fame.
- “ASCAP Founders Award – Heart.” ASCAP, ASCAP.
- “Kennedy Center Honors.” Kennedy Center, Kennedy Center.
- “Heart Pays Tribute to Led Zeppelin at the Kennedy Center Honors.” Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone.
