Heart’s Unyielding Energy: Ann and Nancy Wilson Light Up 2025 with “Straight On” and “Let’s Dance”
Ann Wilson’s seated return to the stage at Crypto.com Arena on March 3, 2025—just weeks after finishing chemotherapy—was less a performance than a declaration. With her new short-cropped hair and a fractured elbow forcing her to sit (unrelated to cancer), she radiated determination. Under the arena’s glow, she showed not weakness but fire.
Nancy Wilson, graceful as ever, stood beside her with guitar in hand, offering a counterbalance of strength and beauty. At 71, she looked vibrant, her harmonies with Ann as breathtaking as the music itself. Together, the Wilson sisters embodied resilience, proving that decades of legacy only deepen artistry.
The night began with a powerful montage tracing Heart’s journey, year by year, to the sound of Peter Gabriel, until the stage erupted in crimson with “Bébé Le Strange.” It was a rebirth, a phoenix rising.
Seated yet soaring, Ann belted out “Never,” her voice filling the arena with undiminished force. She reminded everyone that rock doesn’t demand movement—it demands spirit, and she had it in abundance.
The pace slowed with “Love Alive,” as Ann recalled Heart’s early years and a cruel review dismissing their sound as foghorns. Yet there they were, unbroken, triumphant.
“Straight On” surged forward, leading seamlessly into David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” The shift mirrored their own story—bold, unexpected, full of grace. Nancy’s shimmering guitar work made the moment even more powerful.
“These Dreams” placed Nancy at the microphone, her tender vocals carrying emotion with striking nuance. At 71, her delivery was proof of mastery refined over a lifetime.
When the acoustic firestorm of “Crazy on You” began, the arena erupted. Ann’s voice thundered like a storm, every note nailed despite the challenge of singing seated—an act that demands even more from the diaphragm.
Between songs, Ann spoke to Los Angeles with gratitude, recalling their time recording there and surviving wildfires. Her softened tone and glistening eyes turned the show into a homecoming, a thread from hardship to hope.
“Dog & Butterfly” offered a pause of reverence, Ann’s storytelling weaving wisdom into melody. It was the sound of an artist who, even after decades, remained fearless and curious.
Nancy then led the crowd into Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California,” balancing suspense with serenity. More than a cover, it was a statement—her artistry bending genres while staying true to herself.
She followed with “4 Edward,” a heartfelt tribute to Eddie Van Halen, recalling the guitar she had gifted him and his late-night call playing something unforgettable. The instrumental piece was haunting and tender, a love letter in sound.
From there came the hits in full force: “Alone,” “What About Love,” and “Magic Man,” each one reigniting the crowd’s memories and joy. The arena pulsed with fire and familiarity.
Without pausing for an encore, they pressed into “Sand,” a Lovemongers deep cut dedicated to a friend lost to AIDS. The performance carried grief and gratitude intertwined, voices heavy with meaning.
The finale was pure thunder. Led Zeppelin’s “The Ocean” unleashed headbanging energy, before “Barracuda” crashed in with full fury—Ann’s voice roaring like waves, Nancy’s riffs cutting sharp and true.
At 74, Ann, seated yet unstoppable, reminded us of her unmatched power. At 71, Nancy remained radiant, her mastery undimmed. This wasn’t just a concert—it was a testament. Some voices don’t fade; they evolve, transform, and transcend.
