Ann Wilson of Heart
Earlier this year, Ann Wilson of Heart announced on her social media pages that she was working on what she originally called “Project Dead Guys,” a collection of covers of songs associated with David Bowie, Tom Petty, Glenn Frey (“Life in the Fast Lane”), Amy Winehouse (“Back to Black”), Leonard Cohen and others.
In March, the title was changed to Songs For the Living. At the time, she wrote: “This project means so much to me because those artists are people who really inspired me. And the songs are just amazing. It’s not really a tribute; it’s a chance for me to honor these people, to thank them for these messages that they left.”
On April 2, the album name was changed yet again. “I have finally settled on a real title for it,” she wrote. The new name is Immortal. “The artists have left us, but their expressions live in our hearts for all time.
“We’ll have some surprise guests on the record, including Jeff Beck doing some killer guitar!” Wilson is on the “Stars Align Tour” this summer, opening for Beck and Paul Rodgers. (See dates below.)
Related: We asked Wilson, Beck and Rodgers who they regretted never collaborating with
On May 17, Wilson shared some of the upcoming album’s track list. Confirmed songs (and artists they’re known for) thus far: “Life in the Fast Lane” (Glenn Frey), “Luna” featuring Warren Haynes (Tom Petty), “Baker Street” (Gerry Rafferty), “Back to Black” (Amy Winehouse), “I Am the Highway” (Chris Cornell), “You Don’t Own Me” featuring Warren Haynes (Lesley Gore), “Politician” featuring Jeff Beck (Jack Bruce) and “A Different Corner” (George Michael).
Watch her first message
In January, Wilson wrote:
“In this new year, you may have seen a ‘coming soon’ message and new image on our social media sites.
There are a lot of changes in the works. I am most excited about the recording endeavor we have just begun that has a working title, ‘PDG’ (project dead guys).
“To honor these great artists is my deepest pleasure and Mike Flicker (original Heart producer; Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly, & Bebe le Strange etc.) is working with me on this new record. It is thrilling work and I can’t wait for you to hear what we are doing!”
Explaining why she chose Petty’s “Luna” from his 1978 debut with the Heartbreakers, Wilson explains: “Tom Petty was always a big influence on me. I thought his band was really original… and smart. Petty had a lot of hits but ‘Luna’ is a pretty deep cut. A beautiful, romantic, sultry ballad about that feeling you get when you walk out on a moonlit night. It’s just so magical.”
Of “Life in the Fast Lane,” she says: “I’ve always liked this song because it tells a great story. I’ve taken it out of the old ’70s feel and put it into a more tribal feel… and tell the story my way. I had the thrill of seeing the Eagles when we were first putting Heart together. I was so blown away; I couldn’t believe how amazing they were. They were great players, great singers… the songs were great.”
Watch her perform “What About Love” in 2017
Ann Wilson 2018 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
Jul 07 – Bremerton, WA – Admiral Theatre
Jul 11 – Jacksonville, OR – Britt Pavilion
Jul 14 – Albuquerque, NM – Route 66 Casino
Jul 15 – Aspen, CO – Belly Up
Sep 21 – Lincoln, CA – Thunder Valley Casino
Stars Align Tour
Jul 18 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
Jul 20 – Los Angeles, CA – Five Point Amphitheatre
Jul 21 – Phoenix, AZ – Celebrity Theater (Jeff Beck Solo)
Jul 22 – Chula Vista, CA – Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
Jul 24 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Jul 25 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Jul 26 – Austin, TX – Moody Theater (Jeff Beck Solo)
Jul 28 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Jul 29 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Jul 31 – Clarkston, MI -DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug 01 – Toronto, ON – Bu dweiser Stage
Aug 03 – Boston, MA – Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Aug 04 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Aug 05 – York, PA – Appell Center (Jeff Beck Solo)
Aug 07 – Lewiston, NY – Art Park (Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson)
Aug 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Aug 10 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
Aug 12 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug 14 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Aug 15 – Port Chester, NY – Capitol Theatre (Jeff Beck Solo)
Aug 17 – Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium
Aug 19 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Aug 20 – Vienna, VA – Wolftrap (Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson)
Aug 23 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Aug 25 – West Palm Beach, FL – Coral Sky Amphitheatre
Aug 26 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
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3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI love Ms. Wilson’s voice but after the way she turned her back on the other members of Heart I just don’t have much desire to buy an album of hers. I like the voice, I like the music, I just don’t much care for the person.
I have always liked Ann’s voice too! A exploration of beautiful journey is always indisposed with some misery at the end. The depth of character is measured by stand alone as teams help support. Members are always changing as is players in sports. You can say this is a new life of new challenge with some help from her friends.
Really? You would just “get over it” if your sister’s husband attacked and assaulted your child?