Nancy Wilson Declines Heart Reunion for 50th Anniversary Concert Due to Personal Baggage

Nancy Wilson, the lead guitarist and vocalist of the iconic rock band Heart, has turned down a lucrative offer to reunite with the band's original 1975 lineup for a 50th-anniversary concert at Washington state's Gorge Amphitheatre. The decision has surprised fans and industry insiders alike, given the opportunity to celebrate such a significant milestone.

Wilson cited unpleasant past relationships and personal baggage as the primary reasons for her refusal. She emphasized that no amount of money could persuade her to revisit those old dynamics. "I don't think you could pay me enough. It's ... what's the word? It's icky," Nancy Wilson said in an interview.

Ann Wilson, Nancy's sister and Heart's lead vocalist, initially supported the reunion idea. She even suggested a documentary to chronicle the event. However, she also acknowledged the complexity of the band's internal relationships. "The thing that the fans don't ever consider is the unpleasantness of how the relationships within the band function. If the band split up, there was a reason for that," Ann Wilson explained.

The original Heart lineup, which included the Wilson sisters, guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, drummer Michael Derosier, and keyboardist Howard Leese, released four albums together in the 1970s. These albums included classics like 'Dreamboat Annie,' 'Little Queen,' 'Magazine,' and 'Dog & Butterfly.' Despite their commercial success, personal relationships within the band deteriorated, leading to their eventual breakup.

In recent years, the Wilson sisters have continued to perform together, albeit with different band members. They are currently embarking on a new tour after a five-year hiatus, which will feature 85 dates and is set to launch in mid-April. This tour aims to reconnect the sisters musically, though the shadow of past tensions lingers.

The tensions between the sisters date back to a 2016 incident where Ann's husband, Dean Wetter, assaulted Nancy's twin teenage sons backstage. Although Ann mentioned that their past discomforts have been "ironed out," Nancy's refusal to reunite with the original lineup suggests lingering issues.

The proposed 50th-anniversary concert at the Gorge Amphitheatre was intended to celebrate the release of Heart's debut album, 'Dreamboat Annie,' in 1975. Despite the substantial offer and the potential for a monumental reunion, Nancy Wilson's decision underscores the enduring impact of past relationships and personal challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Nancy Wilson rejects lucrative offer to reunite with Heart's original 1975 lineup for 50th-anniversary concert.
• Wilson cites unpleasant past relationships and personal baggage as reasons for refusal.
• Ann Wilson initially supported reunion idea, but acknowledges complexity of band's internal relationships.
• Original Heart lineup released 4 albums in the 1970s, but personal relationships deteriorated, leading to breakup.
• Wilson sisters are currently on a new tour with different band members, but past tensions still linger.