Latest news with #AnnWilson
Chicago Tribune
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Peace rally attendees in Geneva Saturday prevail through rain
Ann Wilson of Geneva wanted to help raise awareness within her community about things she finds unacceptable in our country today and felt that coming out to a peace rally in the rain this past Saturday morning was a way to do it. 'I've been to like my fifth or sixth rally that I've come to now, and I feel these are making a difference,' Wilson said as rain fell heavily just before 11:30 a.m. 'I feel like this draws attention to things and people are willing to speak out and maybe we can change some minds.' Saturday in Geneva brought together hundreds as the grass roots Fox Valley-based We Can Lead Change group gathered along south Randall Road and Gleneagle Drive in Geneva for a rally/protest called 'Together for Justice.' The 90-minute event represented the 10th held by the group, and they have continued to draw thousands, organizers said. Ellen Ljung of Geneva, one of the 10-member steering committee that leads the organization, spoke an hour before the start of the rally, which was already threatening to be cancelled due to severe weather. 'This is our 10th rally and people keep asking for them and so – we just do it. We have raincoats, we've done it [rallies] in bitter cold but people are asking for the opportunity to come together and we're getting people that have never been involved before,' Ljung said. 'When we started, we had 300 people on April 5th and our No Kings event had close to 10,000 people. I think today will be small because of the weather and it's not a national thing but we're talking thousands that have gotten involved. We're not small anymore.' Ljung spoke about the impact of the rallies on national government officials and said despite being locally based, 'They are having an effect.' 'We are giving people a way to connect and to show them our initiatives and to help people get involved,' she said. 'I think the sense of pressure is being felt by Washington because it's not just us – it's nationwide. A lot of the rallies have been on nationally-designated days and I feel the pressure is being felt. I also think it's absolutely critical for people to have an outlet to work for change.' Ljung noted that the group also offers educational programs and initiatives and 'has written representatives about the latest budget bill.' 'We've written senators and the Supreme Court asking them to protect due process,' she said. 'We worked on immigrations and met with libraries and school superintendents. Our goal is to bring people together to work for change. I'm 78 now and I never thought we'd be doing this in the last chapter of our life, but the only way to make change happen is grassroots organizing. What we do here in Kane County is a drop-in-the-bucket, but we're filling buckets around the nation and that pressure will come to bear.' Despite an 11:30 a.m. official start time, supporters were already present an hour before and drew plenty of honking horns and cheers as motorists drove by. Rain and lightning forced an early cancellation just before noon but not before Wilson and others in attendance had their say. 'We had 10,000 people at the Kings Rally we had and then we did the bridge rally with 5,000 on the Geneva Bridge,' Wilson said. 'This is a good way to build community and maybe fight.' Pamela O' Brien of Batavia sat under an umbrella and said she has been 'at every rally since [President] Trump was elected.' 'I was at a lot of the other ones – maybe eight or 10 altogether and when I know something is coming up – I cancel everything else I'm doing because I feel it's the most important thing to do right now,' she said. 'I'm surprised when other people don't.' O'Brien said looking back on the rallies she has attended, 'I see an engaged yet peaceful group of people, very passionate about keeping democracy.' 'It's a very diverse group of people as well as all kinds of issues – everything from young people afraid of what the future will bring to someone from Mexico,' she said. 'Community wise – compared to when the presidential election was over – there's been much more engagement. This whole Randall Road is touching more people and they are starting to wake up.' JoAnn Vanthournout of St. Charles, 92, attended her first rally and admitted 'I never thought I'd be a protestor at my age.' 'I never thought someone we have as president would be elected. I remember the Vietnam protests and it does feel at least like I'm trying,' she said. 'I was afraid at first but they said I could bring a chair. I'd like to come again but I'd prefer it not be raining.' Denise Ward of Geneva said this was her sixth rally and was encouraged by the turnout despite the rain. 'These rallies are making a difference,' she insisted. 'At least it shows we're not going to sit here and let things happen.'
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson calls out Trump for using song without permission at military parade
Heart's Nancy Wilson took to Instagram Sunday to make clear she and her bandmates did not approve President Donald Trump 's use of their 1977 track Barracuda for his grand military parade over the weekend. 'Earlier today, during a parade held in support of our nation's military and organized by President Donald Trump, the song 'Barracuda' by Heart was played without permission or authorization from us,' the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, 71, said in a post on the social media site. Wilson continued: 'Barracuda, written and performed by Ann and I, is a powerful piece of music that was never intended for political use. 'As daughters of a U.S. Marine Corps major, we hold a deep and abiding respect for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.' The posting came in the wake of Trump's parade - which coincided with his 79th birthday - rolling down Washington D.C.'s Constitution Avenue with an array of troops, tanks and a 21-gun salute. Wilson, who has more than 195,000 followers on the platform, wrapped up in saying that the wishes of those who created the music should be taken into account in a situation as such. 'On a day meant to honor that service, it's important that music used in such settings reflects not only the tone of the event but also the wishes of the artists who created it.' As a response, a rash of counterprotests erupted from coast-to-coast called 'No Kings' in opposition to perceptions Trump was seeking to position himself as a strongman with the demonstration, which involved 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks. Trump had previously sought to organize a parade akin to Sunday's after witnessing a 2017 parade in Paris that impressed him. He said at the end of the parade Saturday: 'Every other country celebrates their victories. It's about time America did too.' The comment section was divided, as some were critical of the musician for her statement, while others were supportive. Some cited the cap Wilson wore in the photo - which read 'No Kings but us' - to remind her that Trump was democratically elected over challenger Kamala Harris in a landslide last fall. 'Imagine calling a democratically elected president a king. What a clown,' said one commenter. One commenter noted there had been 'No Kings since July 4th 1776,' as 'Trump was fairly elected,' while another said Wilson made for 'another case of TDS.' (The acronym refers to the phrase Trump Derangement Syndrome.) Another person wrote to Wilson: 'That statement made no sense. Sorry but a borrowed song for the Army where people died for our rights and freedom seems trivial.' Trump is no stranger to artists opposing the use of their music at his events. Trump has faced opposition from the performers and/or their estates since he began presiding over political rallies with amid the commencement of his first presidential campaign in the summer of 2015. Nancy and her older sister Ann formed the famed band Heart in 1973. The ensemble carved out a legacy in rock with classic songs such as Magic Man in 1975's Magic Man, 1977's Barracuda and 1985's What About Love? The band also boasted hits such as 1985's What About Love?, 1987's Who Will You Run To, 1990's Stranded and All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You. The group would go on to sell more than 35 million albums. In 2013, they went into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Heart returns to Evansville after 39 years
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The last time Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Heart, led by sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson, were in the Evansville area, Ronald Reagan was president and the first laptop computer had just been released by IBM. But now, that 39-year wait is over. The band is returning to Evansville Tuesday night when they bring their show, 'An Evening With Heart' to the Ford Center. EVSC, UE to break ground on the Innovation Center for Science and Health To tell us all about their long-awaited comeback to the River City is Nancy Wilson, and the entire interview can be viewed in the player above. People can still buy tickets here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Rock band Heart offering reward for instruments stolen ahead of U.S. tour
Two irreplaceable instruments owned by members of the rock band Heart were stolen from a venue in New Jersey last weekend, and the musicians are now offering a reward for information leading to their return. The band was set to kick off its U.S. tour, titled An Evening With Heart, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. on Saturday, and its gear had been set up the day prior to the show. Among the items stolen were a custom-built, purple sparkle baritone Telecaster guitar with a hand-painted headstock made for Nancy Wilson, and a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin that Paul Moak has played for over 25 years. "These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they're extensions of our musical souls," Wilson said in a statement issued by the group. "We're heartbroken, and we're asking for their safe return — no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable." Heart is led by Wilson and her sister, Ann, who have made music together since the '70s and have released hits including Barracuda, Magic Man, Crazy on You and Alone. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famers were honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2023. WATCH | Heart performs Crazy on You on the Midnight Special in 1977:
New York Post
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Heart at Radio City: set list, review, takeaways
Vivid Seats is the New York Post's official ticketing partner. We may receive revenue from this partnership for sharing this content and/or when you make a purchase. Featured pricing is subject to change. Growing up, driving around the suburbs, one tends to fiddle with the FM radio knob quite a bit. This seemingly innocent experimentation with the dial can serve as a form of musical education exposing young listeners to a wide variety of genres like modern rock, country, Hip-Hop, Top 40 hits, oldies and, heck, maybe even classical. After a bit of futzing around, listeners often find the station that most aligns with their taste. For me, the station I kept coming back to was 100.7 KSLX, home of classic rock. I listened to — and fell in love with — bands like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Cream like pretty much everyone else who'd ever gotten into music from the '60s and '70s. But there was one act that curled its finger around me and never let go. The first time I heard 'Magic Man' by Heart, I became a fan of the band for life. Ann Wilson's unflinching powerhouse vocals were unlike anything I'd ever heard. Coupled with her sister Nancy's seductive guitar, the siblings created a potent sound that was equal parts raw siren song and exquisitely-crafted rock and roll. I was beyond hooked. Improbably, 50 years after the release of their unimpeachable debut album 'Dreamboat Annie,' the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are still going strong bringing their stable of hits to huge venues on their 'Royal Flush Tour' all over North America. Yet, just because they rocked in 1975 doesn't necessarily mean the band has the goods in 2025. To investigate, I trekked to NYC's regal Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, April 16 to see what Heart sounded like a half century after their heyday. Pre-show Before the Wilson sisters hit the stage, critical darling Lucinda Williams opened the evening with a soulful 11-song set comprised of bar room blues, heartbreaking ballads and rollicking Beatles and Neil Young covers. Her colorful stories interspersed between tracks — one about her deceased musician pal Blaze Foley struck a particularly deep nerve — lent an air of authority to the evening. This was a show for real fans. Williams waved goodbye and made way for tour photographer/comedian Criss Cain who acted as a hype man for the evening's main act. He prepped fans for what was to come, letting us know that Ann Wilson would be performing in a wheelchair since she'd recently broken her arm and beaten cancer. The crowd cheered. This was a welcome move on Heart's part; by having Cain speak, not only did he get the room through the typical opener-headliner interstitial lull but he revved us up. Now, we couldn't wait to see the band we'd come to see. Heart concert At 9:17 p.m., the lights dimmed. A screen projected images dating back to the early 1970s, one for each year. 1975 was the original 'SNL' cast, 1985 was New Coke and so on and so forth, you get the idea. This monumental montage served a purpose greater than just serving as a blast from the past. This was a reminder of just how long Heart had been active and how much staying power the group has. Once the video ticked to 2025, the bands' silhouettes appeared behind a royal red scrim and they dove right into a crisp rendition of their 1980 jam 'Bebe Le Strange.' The song, which sounded just as gorgeous as ever, served as proof that Ann was fully capable of belting just like she did in her '70s and '80's heyday, injuries and illnesses be damned. Ann and the band stayed in full control through the fun-loving 'Never,' which had the Boomers and rocker chicks (along with a handful of young kids) boogieing like the '80s had never ended. Her one-of-a-kind voice sounded just as authoritative yet playful, controlled yet freewheeling as ever. Next, they launched into the mega-hit 'Magic Man,' the song that inspired my fandom. I'm happy to report the 50-year-old song sounds just as good live as it did on classic rock radio all those years ago. Ann and her distinctive vocals didn't skip a beat, capturing every nuance of the pristine track recorded in the studio way back when. Nancy accompanied her sister for heavenly harmonies and unleashed the synth-y prog breakdown toward the end of the song with a ferocity typically reserved for an artist with something to prove, not someone that's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over a decade prior. Soon after, the crowd collectively sat for their soft 'Love Alive' from 1977's 'Little Queen.' Clearly inspired by Zeppelin, the intimate ballad starts small before lashing out into a folk-metal groove that had the mellow crowd headbanging from their plush Radio City seats. Once the song wrapped, it was banter time. Ann addressed the crowd and let us know she had a bit of a cough. After making it through almost the entire tour, she lost the group's moneymaker. It was no matter. Not only did the audience barely notice but a little rasp in rock's smoothest, angriest voice was more than welcome. A voice like hers can't be replaced but it can evolve into something even more worldly. Before diving into the funky 'Little Queen' — which hit a powerful crescendo when the sisters tag teamed the vocals — Nancy took the mic and explained that Heart had tried to be different from day one because they had girls in the band. The crowd erupted. Clearly, the room approved of their brand of 'different.' From there, they continued to rock. The jaunty 'Straight On' sounded just as naughty live as it did back when the studio version was released on the 1978 record 'Dog & Butterfly.' Ann doesn't hold back, exhibiting full-hearted emotion (pun fully intended) with her unparalleled pipes that pops even more live than it has any right to. Then, in the evening's best surprise, the drum fills in 'Straight On' led to a thrilling surprise David Bowie 'Let's Dance' cover. Once the crowd recognized the iconic guitar chords, we rose in unison. Ann may not have been able to stand due to her ailments but she certainly got us moving and shaking. Shortly after, Nancy took the wheel on the softer 'These Dreams.' In the '80s, Heart embraced their softer side and while their searing hard rock is hard to match, the heart-on-the-sleeve slow dance ballads are a welcome respite after such an exciting ride. With that, we were back in action. The opening strings to 'Crazy On You' — which sound like something straight out of a bordello — worked the fired-up crowd back into a frenzy. It was like a fever had swept over us as Ann's electric vocals rocked over Nancy's country-fried lo-fi guitar. These two wield their weapons well. Soft 'oohs' took listeners on a rollercoaster to the epic, ferocious chorus. The fact the sisters can conjure up the righteous fury every night they bring this classic to the stage is a minor miracle in and of itself. After that high point in the evening, the stage transformed into a living room for the winsome 'Dog & Butterfly' and plucky 'Dreamboat Annie.' After some reflection, it became clear Heart's must-see concerts are a showcase for the group to flex their cross-genre abilities. They can deliver rock, folk, country, bluegrass, ballads and everything in between with effortless aplomb. To that point, the Wilson sisters next rocked a stirring rendition of Led Zeppelin's deeply-felt 'Going to California.' Yes, it's a fool's errand to compare anyone to Robert Plant but if anyone can do justice to this timeless track it's Ann Wilson. Once again, she didn't disappoint and the mighty cover served as a more feminine counterpoint to the nasally, powerful original. Things got heavy moments later with Nancy Wilson's touching, acoustic instrumental song '4 Edward' , dedicated to a friend of hers that had passed on. Years ago, he called her from a rotary phone to play a song only she heard. And, as a gift to the audience, she shares it with us to this day. With that, we were finally in the home stretch. The achy, intimate and vulnerable 'Alone/What About Love' medley lit the room up with its anthemic arena rock. For those wondering, yes, there was quite a bit of fist pumping and singing along when the sisters belted 'How do I get you alone?' For three minutes, we genuinely wanted to know. At one point, the distorted, industrial drumming interlude within the song felt like an experimental exercise. Even if that bit was part of the long-running group's routine, they still bring in elements that feel fresh and alive to shows. There's no phoning it in on their part. Permission to rock has been granted once again. Before we continue, let's sidebar for a moment and dig into Heart's robust history. In the early '90s, the Wilson sisters created an acoustic group they dubbed The Lovemongers. For a decade, the band crafted earnest music that smoothed off Heart's rough edges. This was evidenced next in the show by their lovely tune 'Sand,' from The Heartmongers' back catalog. If you're not familiar, the song is dedicated to Sam, Nancy's gardener, that died of AIDS. She spread his ashes over her garden years ago and the genuine love she felt for her friend certainly transferred to the crowd. To close the night, Heart employed the shortest encore break of all time. Must have been 30 seconds tops. Clearly, the ensemble know how to put on a show- while respecting the venue's curfew. First up, they covered Zeppelin a second time. This time, their take on 'The Ocean' gave Plant and Page a run for their money. In my humble opinion, the cloying 'na na na na' breakdown was the highlight of the whole night. Of course, Heart closed the night right after with 'Barracuda.' How could they not? Truth be told, by the time we got here, I had forgotten all about the band's biggest hit (which is currently playing ads for Season Two of Peacock's 'Poker Face'). For once, a group's most well-known song felt more like a cherry on top rather than something we had to wait for all evening. Let's back up though. Before we got to the concert closer, a slick guitar segue from 'The Ocean' took us to 'Barracuda's' revved-up guitar chords, which led to Ann wailing, belting, pouring her heart out, whatever you want to call it, as the crowd tried our best to sing along. Five feet away, Nancy picked like a madwoman. The song sounded a little older, wiser and more searing than ever before. What a delicious last bite to the rock and roll feast Heart gave us. Final verdict: Not many grandmas sound like temptresses from hell. Ann Wilson does. Witnessing her irreplaceable sound, Nancy's scorched earth power chords and the backing band's infectious energy live is bucket list-worthy for any self-respecting classic rock fan- especially considering how much care the outfit puts into making sure their hits sound perfect. The fact that they got to rock a royal venue like Radio City only heightened the experience for such a majestic band. Forget classic rock radio. I'll take a live Heart show over singing along in my minivan any day. If you want to see them IRL in the Tri-state, Heart will be at Atlantic City's Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday, May 31, Canandaigua, NY's Constellation Brands Performing Arts Center on Friday, Aug. 29 and Bethel, NY's Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on Saturday, Aug. 30. For more information about the next leg of the 'Royal Flush Tour,' our team has everything you need to know and more below. Heart tour schedule 2025 Want to see Ann and Nancy Wilson live? A complete calendar including all Heart tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below. Heart set list On April 16, Heart wrapped the latest leg of their 'Royal Flush Tour' at NYC's Radio City Music Hall. Here's what the group took to the stage that night, courtesy of Set List FM. 01.) 'Bebe Le Strange' 02.) 'Never' 03.) 'Magic Man' 04.) 'Love Alive' 05.) 'Little Queen' 06.) 'Straight On / Let's Dance' 07.) 'These Dreams' 08.) 'Crazy on You' 09.) 'Dog & Butterfly' 10.) 'Dreamboat Annie' 11.) 'Going to California' (Led Zeppelin cover) 12.) '4 Edward' (Nancy Wilson song) 13.) 'Alone / What About Love' 14.) 'Sand' (Lovemongers cover) 15.) 'The Ocean' (Led Zeppelin cover) 16.) 'Barracuda' Classic rockers on tour in 2025 If you never stopped listening to classic rock radio, we come bearing good news. Many iconic acts that defined the sound of the '60s, '70s, and '80s are rockin' all over the U.S. these next few months. Here are just five of our favorites that we can't wait to see live in the very near future. • Stevie Nicks • Joan Jett with Billy Idol • Pat Benatar • Cyndi Lauper • Patti Smith Who else is touring from way back when? Check out our list of all the biggest classic rockers on tour in 2025 to find the show for you. This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change
