Heart: A Rock Legacy Built on Grit, Sisters, and Staying Power

Rock pioneers Ann and Nancy Wilson are keeping Heart alive after 50 years, overcoming health setbacks and stolen instruments while continuing to tour and inspire a new generation of fans.

When sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson formed Heart in the mid‑1970s, they changed the face of classic rock. Blending hard-driving riffs with soaring vocals, they broke through in Canada—before conquering the world. Today, they remain icons, though recent years have brought health hurdles and even the theft of instruments from their tour.

Heart’s debut album, Dreamboat Annie (1975), was recorded in Vancouver and backed by Canadian label Mushroom Records. Hits like “Magic Man” and “Crazy on You” helped the album go double platinum in Canada and break the U.S. Top 10. “Crazy on You” even reached No. 25 in Canada on RPM’s singles chart.

From their early days, the Wilson sisters toured Canada heavily—opening for Rod Stewart at Montreal Forum—to build momentum across the country before moving into larger international markets.

Heart rode a wave of success through the late ’70s and '80s with hits like “Barracuda,” “These Dreams,” and “Alone.” The latter topped Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1986. The band’s mix of folk, hard rock and emotion-defining vocals sealed their status as one of rock’s most enduring acts.

In 2023, they received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating nearly five decades of music.

In July 2024, lead singer Ann Wilson revealed she had undergone surgery to remove a cancerous growth. She began preventative chemotherapy, prompting the postponement of over 50 tour dates across North America. The rescheduled Royal Flush Tour will run through 2025

By September, Ann Wilson announced the worst was over—chemo was successful and she was feeling fine. However, she also disclosed that a fall had caused a serious elbow injury requiring surgery, and she's been performing seated in a wheelchair on recent tour dates. Despite this, she assured fans "This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing."

As part of their return, they’ve been performing both classic hits and new material, while also joining lineups with artists such as Def Leppard, Journey, Cheap Trick, and Lucinda Williams.

In June 2025, Heart announced the theft of two irreplaceable instruments—a custom purple sparkle baritone Telecaster built for Nancy Wilson and a vintage 1966 Gibson EM‑50 mandolin used by multi-instrumentalist Paul Moak. They were stolen backstage at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City days before a scheduled show.

A suspect was later arrested, and the band emphasized the instruments were far more than tools—they were “extensions of our musical souls.” A reward was offered, and although one instrument remains missing, the band continues its summer tour.

As Heart moves beyond 50 years in music, Ann and Nancy Wilson remain its heart and soul. Despite Ann’s health concerns and setbacks, including knee surgeries and chemotherapy, she is back on stage with strength and spirit.

Their Canadian roots continue to matter—Dreamboat Annie would never have become the breakthrough it was without Vancouver’s support. They’ve made bold musical shifts and stood fast as the industry changed around them.

Looking ahead, Heart continues to tour, record, and inspire new generations of female rockers—from Billie Eilish to boygenius—who cite the Wilson sisters as early trailblazers.

Heart’s story is rooted in Canadian early success, transformed by powerful sister-led vocals and relentless touring. Against health challenges and unexpected loss—like stolen instruments—they press on. Fans can expect more classic songs and fresh spirit when the Royal Flush Tour picks up this year.

Sources:

• Wikipedia
• Entertainment Weekly
• People
• AP News

Image:  public domain. By Marines - https://www.flickr.com/photos/marine_corps/5248610051, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23063373