Ann Wilson Moves the World with “Going to California” on The Howard Stern Show

At age 73, Ann Wilson brought Led Zeppelin’s “Going to California” into the Howard Stern Show studio with a quiet intensity that filled every inch of the room. Heart’s visit doubled as a live, in-studio set and interview, timed to the band’s then-upcoming Royal Flush Tour. The performance aired on April 10, 2024, marking a powerful statement late in Wilson’s seventh decade.

The appearance wasn’t just a nostalgic gesture; it was a declaration. During the interview, Ann and Nancy Wilson reflected on their lifelong bond with Led Zeppelin—most famously their 2012 Kennedy Center Honors performance of “Stairway to Heaven.” Choosing “Going to California” allowed them to return to a gentler, more reflective side of Zeppelin’s catalog.

The song itself depends on space and restraint, and Ann leaned into both. Rather than overpowering the arrangement, she let the melody breathe over acoustic guitar and mandolin. The result was a rendition that captured the song’s delicate longing, presented raw and unembellished in Stern’s stripped-down studio environment.

This moment arrived at a critical time in Heart’s career. The sisters were preparing for their 2024 reunion tour, and the Stern appearance became a showcase of what still sets them apart. It combined storytelling, live performance, and a demonstration of how their artistry has only deepened with age.

Instead of showcasing sheer vocal power, the sisters chose intimacy. Where Zeppelin’s harder anthems would have dominated, “Going to California” highlighted Ann’s storytelling tone and phrasing. It was proof that even without stadium spectacle, her voice could carry the full weight of the song’s emotional core.

For Ann, age only amplified the impact. At 73, she sang with wisdom and subtlety, proving that experience can add richness to a performance. In a setting where there was no reverb or arena-sized production to hide behind, her control and emotional depth stood fully exposed.

Context gave the performance even greater weight. Heart’s connection to Zeppelin has always been central to their identity, and this live rendition reaffirmed their place in that lineage. It was less a cover and more a continuation of a musical conversation that has spanned decades.

The Stern Show set included Heart staples alongside the Zeppelin cover—songs like “Barracuda” and “Magic Man.” This balance showcased both their original legacy and their ability to honor the music that inspired them. Within that context, “Going to California” became a centerpiece of restraint and beauty.

The performance was broadcast live and later released through Stern’s official channels, capturing the exact mix of acoustic interplay and vocal nuance. It revealed every detail: breath, phrasing, dynamics. That honesty is precisely where Ann thrives, transforming vulnerability into strength.

Critics and fans agreed that “Going to California” suited Ann perfectly. The song’s quiet storytelling style matched her ability to embody emotion without excess. The careful pacing and deliberate pauses made the performance feel cinematic, as though each line painted a picture.

The performance also connected to the broader cultural moment. Just days earlier, Heart had performed “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with Jimmy Fallon to mark the April 8 solar eclipse. Within that same week, they appeared on Stern with a far more subdued, intimate choice. It demonstrated their range, from spectacle to simplicity.

Ann’s age was central to the story—not as a limitation, but as proof of longevity. Singing Zeppelin at 73, she reminded listeners that artistry does not fade with time; it evolves. Her vocal approach may have softened, but it carried a depth impossible to replicate at a younger age.

Nancy Wilson’s role was equally crucial. Her acoustic guitar provided the foundation, shimmering but never intrusive, and her harmonies added warmth. Together, the sisters created a soundscape that was both delicate and commanding, showing their chemistry remained intact after decades.

For longtime fans, the performance drew inevitable comparisons to Heart’s “Stairway to Heaven” moment in 2012. While that event was grand and orchestral, this was stripped bare and intimate. Both proved that when Heart channels Zeppelin, the result is something transformative.

Ultimately, Ann Wilson’s “Going to California” on the Stern Show was more than just a cover. It was a reminder of why she is considered one of rock’s greatest voices: fearless, expressive, and timeless. In that small studio, her voice turned a classic into a living conversation with history—an intimate declaration from an artist still at the height of her interpretive power.