This is another in the series on Pacific Northwest Music Legends, with my own personal memory tied in.
I was at a Christmas party for a Seattle radio station in 1976. This was going to be one big night. There was a buzz in the room. The hugely popular rock group Heart was making a surprise appearance. The sexy Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, were going to turn up as a way of showing appreciation to the station -- KZOK -- for helping break the band's records in Seattle and nationally.
Let me tell you, a guy back then would have to have been pretty much dead to not want to see the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy. They were lookers, rock stars and what was there not to look forward to? Fact is, the Wilson sisters were military brats whose family settled in Seattle. The girls decided to go professional and moved to Vancouver, BC to join a band called Heart. They stole the show as it turns out. There were guys in the band, but the Wilson sisters were the focal point of the act. Vancouver was their base of operations for a number of years and they released some huge records that went platinum. This band was certainly no stranger to Seattle either.
Heart was one of the biggest bands of the 1970's and 1980's. Their most recognizable hits, of a string of many, are Magic Man, Crazy on You, Alone and the song below that they wrote about a snake they met in the music industry.
Footnote -- If Heart ever showed up at the party, it was after I had gone home. The band still, periodically, performs in Seattle. Having been part of the local scene, they have a huge following. Nancy, the blond guitar player, is married to Cameron Crowe who directed the movie "Almost Famous" about the young rock n' roll groupie. Nancy wrote the soundtrack.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspector
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
Wow! Another Heart fan -- Dreamboat Annie is still my fave.
Li
Glad you liked it. I almost put a link to that tune but went with Barracuda which is probably better known.
If I could have "the wish" it would be to sing like Ann Wilson. The power, passion and expression of her voice is incredible. I hope you caught the "Crossroads" special with Wynonna. It was a good match of voices and attitude.
I like them too but my wife is no fan. She thinks they are screamers.
Definately a hard group to not like:) I didn't realize they were still making music.
Heart was definitely a great band. I liked their introduction on American Idol earlier tis year with Fergie singing along with them.
Sean Allen
Boy,
I am on cloud 9. Charles Buell actually sent a private Email, and posted a comment, stating that he liked my blog on Heart. Glad I finally wrote about an artist he likes.
Another educational blog for musically illiterate me. Fun youtube again.