Ann Wilson of Heart: Her 10 Favorite Live Albums
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Ann Wilson (Photo: Kimberly Adamis; used with permission)
In the spirit of launching a solo concert tour several years ago, Ann Wilson shared her top 10 favorite live albums of all time. If you were anticipating that the list would be filled solely with fellow classic rock legends, you would be incorrect. While gems from Deep Purple, The Who, and Elton John did, indeed, make her list, it also includes Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and even Duke Ellington. Her top choice will surprise you. The full list of Wilson’s albums and her comments are below. Wilson and her sister Nancy have a busy 2024 touring as Heart. (Tickets are available here and here.) In a 2023 phone interview, Nancy shared that the pair are once again collaborating on new material for a Heart reunion album. “[The music is] closer to what you would have heard us originally do in the ’70s, late ’70s,” she said. “So it’s really fun, it’s just exciting and inspiring.
“It’s been a really nice kind of rediscovery of our relationship, working on music together again. So, yeah, I’m really happy about that.”
In 2021, Wilson released a “name your price” live EP, as she prepared to return to the live stage once again. Howlen Live, featuring songs recorded on stage in June 2021, is available here to download, even for free. The singing legend was born June 19, 1950.
As she noted, “As we finished up the leg, it became clear to me that we made some real magic out there. There’s much more where that came from.”
Ann Wilson: Top 10 Favorite Live Albums
10) Duke Ellington, Ellington at Newport: “The sophistication and elegance of the Duke live. Perfect for an afternoon in.”
9) Muse, Live at Rome Olympic Stadium: “Perhaps the most powerful, creative band of today powering it out live. Incredible playing, singing and drama! This record really takes you places.”
8) Johnny Cash, At Folsom Prison: “This is Johnny with his people. There is a connection here that is palpable. Cash in his prime.”
Related: Our Album Rewind of At Folsom Prison
7) James Brown, Live at the Apollo: “The hardest working man in show business working hard. The grooves and the soul are to die for.
6) Joni Mitchell, Miles of Aisles: “Joni at her live best with a great band. Just before jazz and just after folk. Maybe one of the best lyricists and singers of all time. This album is a treasure.”
5) Deep Purple, Made in Japan: “The stuff ’70s rock was made of. Great songs and power performances.”
4) The Who, Live at Leeds: “This one is raw, exciting and truly iconic. The Who on all cylinders.”
3) Elton John, 11-17-70: “Elton in his early trio; Nigel Olsson on drums and Dee Murray on bass. This is a fantastic listen!”
2) Aretha Franklin, Aretha Live at Fillmore West: “The queen with all her fires blazing. Super inspiring!”
1) Harry Belafonte, Belafonte at Carnegie Hall: “When I was a child my parents used to play this. It made me want to perform! Harry Belafonte’s version of “Danny Boy” on this album just put me over the edge.”
Ann Wilson released an album, Fierce Bliss, on April 29, 2022, via Silver Lining Music. She has a live album with Tripsetter coming in 2024. Her solo LPs are available here.
Watch an entire concert from her 2017 tour that she has shared
Related: Links to 100s of current classic rock tours
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3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationCouldn’t agree with Ann more on the Belafonte album. I too grew up with that record and it’s still one of my favorites. “Mama Look a Boo Boo” indeed!
Great list! Back It Up! by Nils Lofgren would make my list. I have to say that Heart always delivered every time I saw them live.
Ice X says “Rock on!”
Have seen Heart several times over the years, and they always leave it all on stage. Saw Annie last summer in NH with her new band, the Dawgs; fantastic!! She just rocks!!