Nancy Wilson’s resolve remains firm against reforming Heart’s first assembly, despite a tempting proposal recently put forth. In a candid dialogue with The Washington Post, she revealed that the prospect of reuniting Heart’s initial 1975 roster held no allure for her. The proposition required the original band members to reconvene for a celebratory concert at the acclaimed Gorge Amphitheatre in their home state of Washington. This event would mark the semicentennial of Heart’s seminal release, “Dreamboat Annie.”
The Strain Behind the Curtains: Unveiling Heart’s Reunion Hesitation
Dave Frey, manager to Ann Wilson, Nancy’s sister and co-founder of Heart, disclosed details of the “big offer” extended to the band. Despite Nancy’s disinterest, Ann saw potential in the offer, even suggesting a documentary could be made to capture the occasion. Nevertheless, Nancy’s stance was unwavering, as she conveyed to the Post, “I don’t think you could pay me enough. It’s… what’s the word? It’s icky.”
The notion of a reunion, while enthralling to fans, overlooks the intricate and possibly abrasive dynamics that exist within the band. As Ann highlighted in a separate exchange, the strain of past interactions plays a considerable role. “The thing that the fans don’t ever consider is the unpleasantness of how the relationships within the band function,” she elucidated. “If the band split up, there was a reason for that.”
A retrospective glance at Heart’s journey illuminates the disintegration of interpersonal relationships among bandmates that led to their eventual disbanding. The original lineup consisting of Ann and Nancy Wilson, guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, drummer Michael Derosier, and keyboardist Howard Leese, delivered four remarkable projects in the ’70s – the debut “Dreamboat Annie,” followed by “Little Queen,” “Magazine,” and “Dog & Butterfly.”
Tangled Hearts: The Rise and Fracture of a Legendary Lineup
While these releases marked the zenith of Heart’s commercial acclaim, privately, turmoil festered. Romance had interwoven with the band’s fabric; Nancy was involved with Fisher, and Ann with his brother Michael, also Heart’s manager. Deception entwined itself into these entanglements, leading to swift and bitter conclusions. The departures of the Fishers snowballed into a series of fractures within the group, exacerbated further when Nancy and Derosier became romantically entangled. The original Heart lineup dissolved entirely by 1982, with Leese and the Wilson sisters forging onward with the band’s name.
Despite Nancy’s firm comments on the impossibility of the classic Heart lineup reuniting, it’s worth noting that the members did once stand together post their split. In a moment of nostalgia and recognition, the original Heart ensemble united for their 2013 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. It was a fleeting convergence that has since not been replicated.