What Happened to Heart?

Heart's journey began in the Pacific Northwest in 1974, evolving from earlier projects and solidifying its core with sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The band achieved commercial breakthrough with their 1976 debut album, "Dreamboat Annie," featuring classic hits like "Magic Man" and "Crazy on You," followed by "Barracuda" in 1977. Their unique blend of hard rock, folk rock, and pop rock, fronted by two powerful women, broke ground in a male-dominated genre and led to millions of record sales throughout the 1970s.

The band experienced a significant commercial comeback in the mid-1980s, adapting a more pop-oriented arena rock sound that produced chart-topping singles such as "These Dreams" and "Alone." Heart's enduring legacy was recognized with their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18, 2013, where the original members reunited for a performance, marking a poignant moment for fans.

Following their 2016 album "Beautiful Broken," Heart entered a period of hiatus due to personal differences between the Wilson sisters. During this time, both Ann and Nancy pursued successful solo careers. Ann Wilson released albums like "Fierce Bliss" in 2022, while Nancy Wilson released her first proper solo album, "You and Me," in 2021. The sisters began to mend their relationship, culminating in a surprise reunion on stage in October 2023, followed by three full Heart concerts in December 2023, signaling a full return.

In January 2024, Heart officially announced their "Royal Flush World Tour." However, the tour faced a temporary setback in July 2024 when Ann Wilson revealed a cancer diagnosis, requiring surgery and preventive chemotherapy. This led to the postponement of some 2024 dates, which were rescheduled for 2025. Despite this challenge, Ann Wilson made a full recovery, and the "Royal Flush Tour" successfully resumed in 2025, extending into early 2026 with numerous North American dates.

As of August 2026, Heart is actively engaged in multiple projects. Nancy Wilson confirmed that the band has completed recording their first new studio album in a decade, with a planned delivery to their record label by the end of August 2026. This new album was recorded live in Nashville with their current touring band, which includes Ryan Waters, Ryan Wariner, Paul Moak, Tony Lucido, and Sean T. Lane alongside the Wilson sisters. Additionally, Ann Wilson released her solo album with Tripsitter, "Consecrated Ground," on August 14, 2026, and has a solo documentary, "Ann Wilson: In My Voice," slated for release in 2026. Looking ahead, the band has plans for a comprehensive documentary, a biopic directed by Carrie Brownstein (with Elle Fanning and Florence Pugh reportedly cast as Nancy and Ann), and a "victory lap" world tour in 2027, marking over 50 years of their influential career.