Introduction
The Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, are the iconic duo behind the legendary rock band Heart. Since the 1970s, Heart has been responsible for churning out hit after hit, cementing themselves as one of the most successful rock acts of all time. Their unique blend of hard rock and folk rock catapulted them into superstardom, earning them millions of fans worldwide and making them household names.
With over 35 million records sold globally, Heart has solidified their status as rock legends. Their track record boasts numerous multi-platinum albums, Top 10 Billboard hits, Grammy nominations, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Songs like "Barracuda," "Magic Man," and "Crazy On You" have become staples in the rock canon. Even after 5 decades, Heart continues to sell out massive arena tours and release chart-topping music.
At the core of Heart’s success are Ann and Nancy Wilson. As the lead singer and guitarist respectively, the sisters are the driving force behind the band’s iconic sound and image. Their talents combined have created an unstoppable musical and creative chemistry. Ann’s powerful four-octave voice and Nancy’s guitar virtuosity make them one of the greatest sister acts in rock history.
Beyond their musicianship, Ann and Nancy’s lifelong sisterly bond lends a unique dynamism to Heart. Through the highs and lows, their shared dreams, passion, and vision have kept Heart beating strong. Even during periods of estrangement, the Wilson sisters have found their way back to each other. Their story of perseverance, reconciliation, and rock and roll has captivated fans for over 40 years.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Ann and Nancy Wilson grew up in a military family that was constantly on the move. As the daughters of a Marine Corps captain, they lived in places like Taiwan and Panama before settling in Seattle as teenagers. Music was always part of their household growing up – their parents exposed them to classic rock artists like The Beatles and Joni Mitchell from an early age.
Ann and Nancy were inspired to pursue music themselves after being captivated by their mother’s singing and piano playing. They would gather around the piano with their mom and sing along to songs from her extensive record collection. Around the age of 9, Nancy received her first guitar and immediately became enthralled with learning how to play it. The Wilson sisters honed their talents by performing at their church and school events.
By the late 1960s, Ann and Nancy had formed their first band – a folk rock group called The Daybreaks. Based in Vancouver, Canada, The Daybreaks played local coffeehouses and clubs. This served as an invaluable training ground for the sisters to develop their stage presence and get comfortable performing in front of audiences. Though The Daybreaks didn’t achieve commercial success, it laid the foundation for Ann and Nancy’s future endeavors.
Forming Heart
Ann and Nancy Wilson grew up surrounded by music, with a guitar teacher father and musically inclined mother. While Ann showed vocal talent from a young age, Nancy originally focused more on art than music. However, after seeing the Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, Nancy became inspired to learn guitar.
The sisters began collaborating musically in the late 1960s after Ann joined Nancy’s band White Heart. In 1970, the duo decided to form their own band called Hocus Pocus which consisted of the Wilson sisters plus bassist Steve Fossen and drummer Roger Fisher. They later changed the band’s name to Heart in 1973.
The early days of Heart were filled with struggle as Ann and Nancy tried to find the band’s sound. They started out playing folk rock and psychedelic music at small venues in Vancouver, Canada. However, Ann and Nancy were determined to establish themselves as a hard rock act.
After relocating to Seattle in the mid-1970s, Heart began to gain more traction in the local scene. Their label Mushroom Records connected them with producer Mike Flicker who helped Heart hone their signature hard rock sound. Though faced with doubts about an all-female rock band, Ann and Nancy persevered and laid the foundation for Heart’s breakthrough success.
Rise to Fame
Heart’s rise to fame in the 1970s was nothing short of meteoric. After years of struggling to find their sound, the band broke through in a major way with their second album, 1976’s Dreamboat Annie. Propelled by the smash hits "Magic Man" and "Crazy on You", the album soared to platinum sales on the strength of Ann’s powerful vocals and Nancy’s guitar skills. For the first time, a hard rock band fronted by women was getting heavy airplay on FM rock stations.
The following year, they solidified their success with Little Queen, which spawned the hits "Barracuda" and "Kick It Out". While some radio stations were reluctant to play two female-fronted rock albums in a row, Heart’s talent was undeniable. Ann and Nancy were pioneering at a time when the rock genre was still dominated by men. But through their tenacity and musical chops, they overcame industry doubts and cemented their status as rock superstars.
Songwriting Partnership
Ann and Nancy Wilson formed one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in rock history. Though both talented musicians in their own right, it was their ability to combine their strengths that led to Heart’s iconic song catalog.
The sisters had a collaborative process when it came to writing songs. Typically, Ann would come up with initial lyrics and ideas, drawing from her own experiences and emotions. She would bring these raw lyrics to Nancy, who would then compose music and melodies to pair with the words.
Together, they created many of Heart’s biggest hits that showcased Ann’s powerful vocals wrapped around Nancy’s guitar hooks and riffs. Songs like "Magic Man," "Crazy On You," and "Barracuda" became classic rock staples.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, the Wilson sisters continued to write hit after hit for Heart. Some of their most notable creations included "Alone," "What About Love," and "These Dreams," among others. Even as the band evolved its sound from hard rock to pop, Ann and Nancy’s knack for memorable melodies and relatable lyrics shined through.
Though they had periods of tension, the love between the sisters always brought them back together. Their ability to set aside differences and renew their creative connection repeatedly fueled Heart’s success over decades. Ann and Nancy Wilson’s songwriting legacy places them firmly among rock’s great musical partnerships.
Solo Work
Both Ann and Nancy have pursued solo projects and collaborations outside of Heart over the years. Ann has released several solo albums that showcase her powerful vocals in a more intimate setting. Her debut solo album Hope & Glory in 2007 featured guest appearances by Elton John, Alison Krauss, k.d. lang, and several other music legends. She also recorded an album of Led Zeppelin covers in 2018 titled Immortal.
In addition to solo albums, Ann has appeared in musicals and operas. She played the role of the Acid Queen in the San Francisco production of The Who’s Tommy in the early 1990s. More recently, she appeared in productions of The Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret. Her impressive vocal range has enabled her to transition smoothly between rock and theater.
While known primarily for her guitar skills, Nancy has expanded into film composing and other projects. She formed the band Roadcase Royale in 2017, releasing an album and touring behind it. Nancy has also composed music for several films like Vanilla Sky and Elizabethtown.
Outside of Heart, the Wilson sisters have enjoyed fruitful solo careers capitalizing on their individual talents. However, their most legendary work remains the music they’ve created together as the core of Heart.
Personal Lives
Ann and Nancy Wilson have balanced their lives as rock stars with marriage and family.
Ann married Dean Wetter, Heart’s manager, in 1982. They have two sons together, Dustin and Curtis. Though Ann spent much of the 80s touring the world with Heart, she made an effort to take breaks to spend time with her young children. She has spoken about the difficulties of balancing life on the road with motherhood.
Nancy married screenwriter and director Cameron Crowe in 1986. They have twin sons together, Curtis and William. Though Nancy continued touring and recording albums with Heart throughout the 80s and 90s, she also relished spending time at home with her family between tours.
Both Ann and Nancy have said their most important role is being a parent. They worked hard to shelter their children from the rock star lifestyle and give them normal childhoods. However, all their sons grew up with a love of music and some have even joined their famous mothers on stage as adults.
Over the years, Ann and Nancy have had to navigate scheduling Heart tours and performances around school breaks so they could be present for their children as much as possible. They’ve also limited long stints on the road, unlike earlier in their careers when they would tour for months on end.
Though rock stardom has dominated their lives, family has always come first for Ann and Nancy Wilson. Their devotion as parents is a testament to their character outside of the spotlight.
Challenges and Conflicts
Even with their massive success, Ann and Nancy faced many challenges and conflicts throughout their career. As with any band made up of siblings, creative tensions were bound to arise within Heart. There were often communication breakdowns and arguments over the band’s musical direction.
Ann and Nancy had a major falling out in the late 1990s that led to them splitting up Heart for several years. Ann wanted to return to the band’s hard rock roots, while Nancy was more interested in evolving their pop sound. Unable to reconcile their differences, the sisters went their separate ways, with Ann forming her own version of Heart for a period.
During their time apart, both Ann and Nancy faced deep personal struggles. Ann dealt with weight issues and body image problems that she has been open about in interviews. Nancy went through a painful romantic breakup that took an emotional toll.
But eventually the pull of their enduring bond as sisters led Ann and Nancy to put aside their conflicts and reunite Heart in the early 2000s. They seem to have emerged from that experience with a renewed commitment to communication and compromise as musical partners.
Over the years, Ann and Nancy have also been candid about past issues with drug and alcohol addiction while coping with the pressures of fame. Thankfully they were able to get clean and sober together, overcoming those challenges side by side.
Despite temporary breakups and struggles, the Wilson sisters have proven time and again that their connection can survive even the rockiest periods. Their ability to reconcile and move forward is a testament to the power of their sisterhood.
Legacy and Influence
Ann and Nancy Wilson left an indelible mark on the history of rock music. As the core of the hugely successful band Heart, the sisters inspired generations of female musicians with their powerful vocals, fiery guitar work, and standout songwriting.
Throughout their career, Heart racked up numerous accolades that cemented their status as rock icons. They’ve sold over 35 million albums globally, placing them among the best-selling bands of all time. Their hits like "Barracuda," "Crazy on You," and "Alone" are considered classic rock staples. In 2013, Heart was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after being eligible for over a decade. The Wilson sisters also have their own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beyond awards and chart success, Ann and Nancy’s influence is evident in the countless artists they’ve inspired. Female-fronted rock bands from the ’80s through today, like The Pretenders, Hole, and Halestorm, all owe a debt to the groundbreaking path forged by the Wilson sisters. Ann’s powerhouse vocals and Nancy’s guitar skills proved women could rock just as hard as men. The sisters paved the way for artists like Stevie Nicks and Pat Benatar to find mainstream success.
As strong female role models in a male-dominated industry, Ann and Nancy empowered generations of girls to pick up guitars and microphones and make their voices heard. Even today, the sisters continue to inspire women looking to break into rock music. Their legacy as pioneers in their genre is cemented in history.
Recent Work
Ann and Nancy Wilson have continued their work with Heart into recent years. In 2016, Heart embarked on a massive reunion tour called the Rock Hall Three for All Tour alongside fellow inductees Cheap Trick and Joan Jett. The tour was a celebration of the induction of all three bands into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Heart performed several of their biggest hits like "Barracuda," "Crazy on You," and "Alone" to packed stadiums and arenas across North America.
In 2019, Heart launched another massive tour called Love Alive, their first in three years. It featured Joan Jett as the opening act and spanned over 40 dates across the US and Canada. The tour was accompanied by the release of a live album and concert film showcasing the band’s performances.
Ann and Nancy have also pursued solo projects in recent years. In 2021, Ann released a solo album called Immortal which featured several guest artists like country singer Vince Gill. Nancy published an autobiography in 2012 titled Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul and Rock and Roll which chronicled the history of the band and her life. She also continues to compose and produce scores for film and television projects.
It’s clear that even after over four decades, the Wilson sisters show no signs of slowing down their music careers. Fans can likely look forward to new Heart music and solo projects from Ann and Nancy in the future. Their enduring creative partnership and bond continues to drive their ambitions.