Nearly a decade after the Wilson sisters shocked critics with a trio of chart-topping albums, Heart is heading back into the nation's clubs and theaters to rehash their hits and introduce new material. |
Ann Wilson will resume her position at the helm of the 25-year-old rock/pop band on June 18 at the Chicago House of Blues, where Heart will launch its trek across the States. Sister Nancy Wilson will not join Ann on tour because of family commitments, however former guitar techie Scott Olson will pick up the slack on rhythm guitar, according to the band's publicist.
Wilson's backing band will also comprise longtime members Frank Cox and Howard Leese on guitar, recent collaborator Ben Smith on drums and relative newcomer Jon Bayless on bass. The quintet will belt out Heart classics like "Barracuda," "Straight On" and "Crazy on You" as well as startling covers of tunes by Led Zeppelin, Elvis Costello and Burt Bacharach.
In addition to an eclectic greatest hits compilation, Heart will also deliver never-before-heard solo material composed by Wilson. During the 7-week tour, the 48-year-old mother of two will road test a number of new songs for possible inclusion on an upcoming solo project. Moving through the Midwest then hitting the East and West coasts, the tour will end on August 8 at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, Calif.
Though Heart has remained silent for three years, the Wilson sisters have kept busy with their side project, the Lovemongers. That acoustic quartet, which recorded Led Zeppelin's "Battle of Evermore" for the Singles soundtrack in 1992, released the full-length CD Whirlygig late last year and plan to debut a Christmas album this winter. (Anni Layne)
