As one of the premier hard-rock vocalists of all-time, Ann Wilson smashed boundaries with her band, Heart. Heart has had quite the career, selling upwards of 35 million records, going platinum 8 times, and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. During her decades-long career, Wilson has rode the rollercoaster of fame, fortune, and madness, learning both joyous and hard lessons along the way, all while inspiring the generations to come. We put together 10 of our favorite Ann Wilson moments from her amazing career to get ready for her performance here at The Cap on Wednesday, July 27!

 

1. Heart's "Stairway to Heaven" Cover

Heart performed this cover in front of Led Zeppelin as they were being honored at the Kennedy Center alongside Nancy Wilson and John Bonham’s son, Jason Bonham. This resounding cover of Stairway to Heaven brought tears to Robert Plant’s eyes and moved the crowd in a way that only Wilson's vocals could.

 

2. "Alone" ft. the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Heart performs the song “Alone” from their 1987 release, Bad Animals, while backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. This rendition is truly special in the way that Wilson embodies the soul and grace of this classic.

 

3. This Iconic “Dream On” Rendition

This impeccable cover of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” with her band at Hampton Beach shows Ann Wilson’s unique ability to hold high notes while showcasing an incredible vocal range that demands attention.

 

4. Her Unforgettable Letterman Performance

Ann Wilson was joined by the Foo Fighters on The Late Show with David Letterman to deliver this incredible performance of Heart’s “Kick It Out.” Reminding us, once again, how incredible and dynamic her vocals truly are.

 

5. This Tribute to the Legendary, Queen

Wilson’s performance of Queen’s “Love Of My Life,” which she put on her most recent album, Fierce Bliss, is a beautiful tribute to this legendary song and captured the audience in her song.

 

6. Her Cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog”

Lockn’ Fest 2017 got just a little more epic when Ann Wilson joined Gov’t Mule onstage and belted out this amazing cover of Led Zeppelin’s legendary “Black Dog.” Between Wilson’s powerful vocals and Gov’t Mule’s energy and precision, the crowd was blown away and so are we.

 

7. When She Covered Jeff Buckley’s “Forget Her”

This passionate rendition is a perfect example of how versatile Ann Wilson’s vocals can be. With a powerful tone and unique softness that makes this song her own, Wilson’s stage presence and confidence echoes in this beautiful tribute.

 

8. This Amazing Rendition of “Going to California”

Covering Led Zeppelin is no easy feat. Ann Wilson shows that she is not only capable, but that she can make the song her own by blending raw emotion into her unforgettable vocals to create the perfect arrangement.

 

9. When She Masterfully Covered The Black Crowes

Ann Wilson’s take on “She Talks to Angels” shows off the way that Wilson could capture an audience with her powerful voice and unique stage presence. This cover has a profound tone and range that Wilson delivers beautifully.

 

10. Heart’s “Barracuda”

You can’t make an Ann Wilson countdown without putting this absolute unit of a song on the list. Barracuda was Heart’s personal revenge song about a guy who made a distasteful remark to Wilson in the ‘70’s and turned into one of the biggest hits of the 1970’s. Everything from Wilson’s unique singing style, to the guitar and rhythm: Masterpiece.

Words by Lilly Carey