When Heart formed more than 50 years ago, all the pop-rock band was searching for was a chance to make it in a male-dominated industry.
"Things were very different," vocalist Ann Wilson said. "You look around today and you see so many prominent females in bands. It wasn't that way when we started out."
Back then, the female-fronted act was searching for respect. There’s no doubt that Heart, who was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013, earned admiration and much more.
“We’re fortunate,” Wilson said. “We fought hard for years and have that respect.”
Heart, which also features Wilson's sister, vocalist-guitarist Nancy Wilson, have scored credibility, not to mention an array of hits.
“When we started out with this band, the world was a very different place,” Ann Wilson said. “Women were tossed into a box. It was a man’s world. If you were a woman and you weren’t with a man, something was wrong. There was supposed to be some emptiness.”
True. Songs such as Kiss' "Hard Luck Woman" was a tune of the times with the couplet "You'll be a Hard Luck Woman/Baby, till you find your man."
Heart, who will perform Saturday at the Hard Rock, changed the dynamic of the industry. The Wilson sisters proved to be more than capable writers.
“Barracuda," "Magic Man" and "Crazy On You" were some of their 1970s hits. The songs weren’t just catchy. The classics hit fans in the gut.
Soundgarden's late vocalist Chris Cornell, who inducted the band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was a fan as a pre-pubescent.
“There was a tremendous power to Heart’s songs,” Cornell said during a 2016 interview. “I remember as a kid just loving what Heart did. It didn’t matter that they were female.”
Heart more than held their own while sharing a bill with such masculine acts as Aerosmith, Van Halen and Ted Nugent at the Texxas Jam in Dallas in 1978. Heart played before 100,000 rock fans at the Cotton Bowl.
“We didn’t back down,” Wilson said. “We went for it. We had no issues playing big shows like that one.”
Indeed. Heart has sold more than 50 million albums. The band scored hits during the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
“I think we have a lot to be proud of,” Wilson said. “How many rock bands have achieved what we have? Not many, and it’s been a great experience. I have no complaints.”
Part of the reason for Heart’s success is that it has always been a diverse band. The group has hit Billboard’s Hot 100, Mainstream Rock Tracks and Adult Contemporary charts.
“I think it’s always a good thing to be eclectic,” Wilson said. “I don’t think as many bands are as varied as they were when we were coming up but that’s the kind of music I appreciate.”
Heart’s comprehensive box set, "Strange Euphoria," and their autobiography, "Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul and Rock and Roll," tells the story of a unique band. The lone original members are the Wilson sisters but that's enough.
"We enjoy performing with each other so much," Wilson said. "That's why we continue as a band."
Lynyrd Skynyrd returns Friday to Ocean to play the hits from its storied 60-year career.
Johnny Van Zandt, who has been belting out tunes as the band's frontman since 1987, is an underrated vocalist and frontman, who is adept at engaging the audience.
Yes, such Skynyrd staples as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird" will be delivered but it's more than that since the group remains a rock solid band that is compelling no matter what song is played.
There were rumors in 2024 that Post Malone would return to Atlantic City. However, it was not to be since the rapper-singer, who has bridged the gap between hip hop and pop, has blown up and reached the upper echelon after performing at a sold out Boardwalk Hall in 2019.
The closest Malone will come to Atlantic City this year is Philadelphia. Malone impressed at his "Big Ass Stadium Tour," which includes Jelly Roll, at Citizens Bank Park last Saturday.
The highlights included a cool cameo from Sixers legend Allen Iverson who joined Malone for "White Iverson." That made up for Malone reminding fans that he's a Dallas Cowboys aficionado, which was met with boos and Birds backers serenading Malone with "Fly Eagles Fly."
Malone delivered a solid show with more songs and expletives than he rendered when he played Boardwalk Hall just before the pandemic.
