Bestshowtickets.com: For sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, 2010 was a pretty big year. They performed on Dancing with the Stars and with Olympic Gold Medalist Brian Boitano in the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular. They also issued a new album, Red Velvet Car, some 34 years after their Crazy on You debut.
“It’s been an amazing year, a year of firsts for us,” said lead singer Ann.
“After three-plus decades, to have loyal fans, old and new, and to be acknowledged for our work as performers and songwriters is really quite beautiful,” added guitarist Nancy.
As for what lies ahead in 2011, it won’t be a first, but the ladies are hitting the road for some north-of-the-border dates on the Red Velvet Car Tour. If reviews from 2010 performances are any indication, Canadian fans and critics alike have something to look forward to in the shows.
One writer commented, “From the opening song Nancy never stopped moving, she clearly loves what she is doing and put on a great show. And in my opinion Ann has one of, if not THE defining female rock voice.”
Still another proclaimed, “Heart have consistently kicked ass harder than any dude group of any era in which they were performing. They were doing it in the 70s. They were doing it in the ’80s. They still do today. After almost 40 (!) years of performing, Heart still possess their signature guitar chops and blow-the-roof-off vocals. ”
Who knew a couple of girls could rock a nation for four decades breaking down gender barriers all the while?
“We’re not intentional pioneers,” Ann explained. “My influences were Aretha Franklin and the rest were male singers, writers and guitar players like Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Elton John and Rod Stewart. Nancy was influenced by Paul Simon, Jimmy Page and, of course, Keith Richards, the ultimate riff guy.
“Nancy is four years younger,” she continues. “We began playing seriously when she was 8 and I was 12. That was long about the time the Beatles and Rolling Stones were here. They made us want to pick up guitars.”
Once the guitars were picked up, the sisters were on a trajectory that could lead nowhere other than stardom. Their parents were immensely supportive of the notion despite not having unlimited resources at their disposal.
“We’ve driven by our old house and can hardly believe that’s the place,” Ann recalled. “It’s a little track house, nothing special. But our parents made it seem like a palace. Our parents wanted for us what we wanted. They were overjoyed we had a focus. So many young people just float. Nancy and I were aimed at this.”
Not only can – and do – they still rock hard, but their artistry has also stood the test of time. Songs like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” and “Barracuda” are just as relevant and revelatory today as they were 30 years ago. Blame it on the human condition, the cycles of life. They do.
“We thought the world at that time was so messed up,” Ann said. “And that’s what our lyrics dealt with. When you take a look at the lyrics now, they still apply. I guess that’s life.”
01.28.2011 — St. John’s, NL — Mile One Centre
01.29.2011 — Corner Brook, NL — Pepsi Centre
02.01.2011 — Charlottetown, PEI — Charlottetown Civic Centre
02.02.2011 — Moncton, NB — Moncton Coliseum Complex
02.03.2011 — Halifax, NS — Halifax Metro Centre
02.05.2011 — Montreal, QC — Place des Arts
02.07.2011 — Ottawa, ON — Civic Centre Theatre
02.08.2011 — Kitchener, Ontario — The Centre in the Square
02.09.2011 — Hamilton, ON — Hamilton Place
02.11.2011 — Toronto, ON — Massey Hall
02.12.2011 — Kingston, ON — K-Rock Centre
02.14.2011 — Sudbury, ON — Sudbury Arena
02.17.2011 — Winnipeg, MB — MTS Center
02.18.2011 — Saskatoon, SK — TCU Place
02.19.2011 — Edmonton, AB — Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
02.21.2011 — Grand Prarie, AB — Crystal Center
02.22.2011 — Calgary, AB — Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
02.24.2011 — Prince George, BC — CN Centre
02.25.2011 — Kamloops, BC — Interior Savings Centre
02.26.2011 — Vancouver, BC — Queen Elizabeth Centre