At 76, Ann Wilson Was Back on Her Feet Singing “Barracuda”
Ann Wilson was on her feet at the Hollywood Bowl when Heart launched into “Barracuda.” She was 76, back onstage following cancer treatment, and Nancy Wilson was close by with her guitar.
The November 1 concert was the second night of California, Dream On: Aerosmith & Friends. Heart had just played “Janie’s Got a Gun” when the sisters followed it with one of their own songs.
A fan on Heavy Metal World put the moment into a line that drew more than a hundred reactions: “I’m 63 and I still want to be Ann Wilson when I grow up.” Other viewers remarked on hearing that familiar voice while seeing her stand at the microphone again.
The riff tells the room what it’s hearing before Ann comes in. Nancy and the band hold it underneath the vocal as Ann puts her weight behind the lines. There’s a good view of both sisters in the audience recording.
Wilson has described her return after treatment in her own words. She had also performed seated on the 2025 tour after breaking her elbow. Seeing her on her feet in this clip is one reason the performance resonated with some longtime viewers.
An alternate recording of the Bowl performance gives a wider look at the stage. Heart’s original “Barracuda” video takes the song back to the period when the band first put that riff and voice together.
