The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum‘s Legend Series can be hit or miss. For every genuine music legend who’s actually contributed something to rock & roll that shows up at one these things there’s some dude who used to be the third harmony singer in a vocal group that stopped having hits in 1967.
But we’re so into the Legend Series that’s coming to the Rock Hall on August 23. It features Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, one of the first female-fronted bands to ever kick some serious ass.
Heart started as sort of a Led Zeppelin-with-boobs kinda band. But they hit their stride in the late ’70s, and somehow continued on in the mid ’80s with a glossy pop makeover that made them even huger. Those monster hooks helped make them stars during the big-hair era. And they totally deserved it.
The Rock Hall’s vice president of education and public programs Lauren Onkey will throw questions at Ann and Nancy, as well as field some from audience members. We have a couple: Who was the magic man (seriously — we’re trying to understand)? And what the fuck was up with that “Alone” video?
Ann and Nancy will also perform an acoustic set. Best of all, it’s free. But you need a reservation. E-mail edu@rockhall.org or call 216-515-8426 to RSVP starting at 10 a.m. Thursday.
If you can’t make it, the whole thing will be streamed live at the Rock Hall’s website. —Michael Gallucci
This article appears in Aug 3-9, 2011.