Working Title: Project Dead Guys

Ann Wilson: “I am most excited about the recording endeavor we have just begun that has a working title, ‘PDG’ (project dead guys). It’s a project very dear to me — a collection of songs by artists who have departed in the last several years: Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Tom Petty, and Chris Cornell to name a few. To honor these great artists is my deepest pleasure and Mike Flicker (Original Heart producer; Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly, & Bebe le Strange etc.) is working with me on this new record. It is thrilling work and I can’t wait for you to hear what we are doing!

Ultimate Classic Rock: “The announcement appears to suggest there’s no end in sight for the family disagreement that forced Heart onto hiatus last year.”

Updated March 3rd 2018: the amount of criticism with regards to the working title may have had an impact. The working title is now: “Songs for the Living”. Ann has left the studio and in the coming weeks we can expect video’s about the upcoming album. The first one has been released so keep watching her social media.

Updated March 6th 2018:

ANN WILSON OF HEART PREPS NEW ALBUM ‘SONGS FOR THE LIVING: VOL. 1′

Following A Year-Long Successful Solo Tour, Iconic Vocalist ANN WILSON Of HEART Is Spending The Early Part Of 2018 Recording Her New Solo Release And Debut Album For BMG. Due Out This Summer (Exact Release Date TBA) And With A Working Title Of SONGS FOR THE LIVING: VOL. 1, ANN Has Teamed With Original Heart Producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog And Butterfly And Bebe Le Strange, Among Others) For An Album That Will Pay Homage To Musicians Lost In The Past Few Years.

“It’s A Project Very Dear To Me–A Collection Of Songs By Artists Who Have Departed In The Last Several Years Including Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Tom Petty, Chris Cornell And Amy Winehouse To Name A Few,” ANN Explains. “I Feel These Souls Have Made A Real, Lasting Contribution To The Art Of The Popular Song And To Honor Them Is My Deepest Pleasure.”

The Album Will Feature Some Of The Singer’s Favorite Musicians, With The Full Track List To Be Announced In The Coming Weeks. With The Recording Still In Progress In Los Angeles, The First Three Songs Confirmed Are Lesley Gore’s “You Don’t Own Me,” Amy Winehouse’s “Back To Black,” And The Eagles’ “Life In The Fast Lane” In Honor Of Glenn Frey.

“Once Again I Am Pushing My Limits As A Singer And It Is Thrilling Work,” ANN Says. “It’s My Way Of Showing Gratitude For These Amazing Expressions In Words And Music. This Record Was Made In The Old School Way…On An Actual Tape Recorder, So The Sound Is Vibrant, Present And Powerful. This Sound Will Not Just Massage The Listener’s Ego, It Will Stoke Their Heart And Soul.”

Updated March 14th 2018: Ann’s new CD can pre-ordered on her website. Signed copies are limited! Plus, for some reason, it is even more limited: you can only order from six countries. So yeah… I’ll pass.

Updated March 28th 2018:

StandingRoomOnly: Ann and her band, which features Craig Bartock on guitar, Andy Stoller on bass, Denny Fongheiser on drums, and Dan Walker on keyboards, are on the verge of releasing a new album which will feature songs by deceased artists “who have departed in the last several years,” including David Bowie, Tom Petty, Glen Frey, and Amy Winehouse. The original working title, PDG (or project dead guys) has progressed to Songs for the Living.

“The idea for PDG came from my manager, Bruce Flohr,” Ann explained. “It’s not a ‘covers/tribute’ record, but rather a way for me to express my gratitude for the gifts these angels gave us while they were on this planet. Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Leonard Cohen, Tom Petty, George Michael, Amy Winehouse, and on and on. It is a thrill for me to get inside these songs with my band. There will be some special guests on this record, too. We are very excited about it as you can imagine! It also looks like there will be a PBS special this fall to go along with it.”

Ann Wilson of Heart band slaying “You Don’t Own Me”

Updated March 31st 2018: Facebook page Ann and Nancy Wilson- It’s All About the Music found two interviews that shed some more light on the people involved. Ann confirms that Jeff Beck, Warren Haynes and Ben Mink will be playing on her new CD. Right now Ann thinks the CD will be released end of June or first week of July 2018. Another bit of news is that Ann will be doing David Bowie’s “I’m afraid of Americans“.

Updated April 2nd 2018: Cleveland.com: “I got the idea that with all the surprise departures in the last few years, it would be my honor to make a record of the songs by Chris Cornell, Tom Petty, Leonard Cohen, Lesley Gore and Amy Winehouse,” said Wilson, who is also doing a David Bowie tune as well as one by the Eagles’ Glenn Frey in addition to a Jack Bruce cut called “Politician.”

Updated April 4th 2018: Ann Wilson has revealed the final title of her album is “Immortal” and the Tom Petty track is “Luna“, featuring Warren Hayes on strings.

Updated April 19th 2018: Ann Wilson has posted that the Chris Cornell song is “I Am The Highway”

Updated May 14th 2018: Ann Wilson has revealed Gerry Rafferty – “Baker Street“.

Updated May 24th 2018: Ann has announced: George Michael – “A Different Corner”

Updated June 2nd 2018:

Here’s the full track list for the album coming September 14th 2018 on BMG.