Ann Wilson, the lead singer and songwriter of Heart, has been on the road with her new band Tripsitter this summer on a tour that is extending into the fall once she takes a scheduled break.
This year marks 50 years since Heart was founded.
The 73-year old and her sister Nancy received a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys last year for their unprecedented success in rock. Over 35 million Heart albums have been sold thanks to hits like "Barracuda," “Crazy On You,” and “Magic Man.”
Since the 1970s, Ann has been praised as having one of the most beautiful and powerful voices in rock.
A few months ago on the Howard Stern Show, Kelly Clarkson was discussing cover songs and admitted that her favorite is when Ann and Nancy performed "Stairway to Heaven" in front of the remaining members of Led Zeppelin who were sitting in the balcony as John Bonham's son, Jason, handled the drumming.
In spite of the majesty, the outfits, the choir and the spectacle of singing the Zep classic to the men who made the song magical were Ann's soaring vocals that cut through it all.
Last year when Ann was in Indiana, touring the country in support of her most recent solo album, Fierce Bliss, she revisited "Stairway" at a special concert hosted by billionaire, Jim Irsay.
Irsay not only loves music but is a bit of a collector who owns expensively famous guitars like the Stratocaster Bob Dylan used when he was booed at Newport, Kurt Cobain's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Fender Mustang, and Jerry Garcia's custom-made Irwin Tiger.
So when a guy like Jim asks you to play some Zeppelin tunes and other classic rock gems with a handpicked all-star band, you end up doing it.
Wilson is no stranger to covers. Both she and Heart have covered the likes of the Rolling Stones, The Who, John Lennon, and Van Morrison.
Some may not be aware, but the Heart hit "Alone," which was the #2 song of 1987 was a cover from the writing team who collectively was known as i-Ten. Likewise 1985's top 10 hit, "What About Love," was originally performed by the band Toronto.
Therefore it's no surprise that the songs Wilson is performing this summer and fall are solo tunes, Heart chestnuts and classic rock bangers.
Wilson has two more shows in the midwest before she takes a brief break. Then she heads out to the NY State Fairgrounds on August 30th, followed by dates in the South and West Coast.
Tickets are available on her website.
