Heart
Biography
Heart is an American rock band that first found success in the mid-1970s. The band's sound is a blend of hard rock and folk music. At the core of Heart are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ann is the lead singer, while Nancy plays guitar.
Formation and Early Success
The band originated in the late 1960s in Seattle, Washington, with a band called The Army, which later evolved into White Heart and then simply Heart. Ann Wilson joined in 1972, and her sister Nancy joined two years later, in 1974. The band relocated to Vancouver, Canada, where they recorded their debut album. Their first album, "Dreamboat Annie," was released in 1976 and featured the hit singles "Magic Man" and "Crazy on You". This album was a commercial success and established the band's unique sound, which combined hard rock with folk influences.
The band's second album, "Little Queen," was released in 1977 and included the hit song "Barracuda". This album was also a commercial success and solidified their status as a leading rock band. Throughout the late 1970s, Heart continued to release successful albums, including "Dog & Butterfly" (1978).
The 1980s and a New Sound
In the early 1980s, the band's popularity declined, and they went through lineup changes. However, they made a significant comeback in the mid-1980s with a more pop-oriented sound. Their 1985 self-titled album, "Heart," became their first number-one album and featured hit singles like "These Dreams" and "What About Love". This album marked a major commercial comeback for the band.
They continued this success with the 1987 album "Bad Animals," which included the number-one single "Alone". The band continued to have hits into the 1990s, including the song "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" from their 1990 album "Brigade".
Later Career and Legacy
After a hiatus in the late 1990s, the Wilson sisters revived Heart in the early 2000s. They have continued to tour and record new music, including the albums "Red Velvet Car" (2010) and "Fanatic" (2012). In 2013, Heart was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The original members reunited to perform "Crazy on You" at the induction ceremony.
Heart has sold over 35 million records worldwide and has had top 10 albums on the Billboard charts in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s. They are considered one of the first hard rock bands fronted by women to achieve major commercial success, paving the way for future female rock musicians. The Wilson sisters' ability to blend powerful vocals, heavy guitar riffs, and emotionally charged lyrics has left a lasting impact on the music industry.