The pair’s work throughout their career is being recognized in the Performing Songwriters’ category alongside fellow nominees Bryan Adams, Blondie, The Doobie Brothers, Jeff Lynne, REM, Patti Smith, Steve Winwood, Snoop Dogg, Gloria Estefan, Vince Gill and Sade.
Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame honors those whose work represents a spectrum of the most beloved songs from the world’s popular music songbook. A songwriter with a notable catalog of songs qualifies for induction 20 years after the first significant commercial release of a song.
As for Heart, the band’s Seattle, WA origins as The Army date back to 1967, it was after Ann joined in 1971 and a few name and lineup changes later – including the addition of Nancy – that led to Heart’s formation in 1974. By 1975 they had recorded their seminal debut album, “Dreamboat Annie”, which featured instant classics like “Magic Man”, “Crazy On You” and the title track. More US platinum albums followed, including 1997’s “Magazine” and “Little Queen”, which delivered “Barracuda”, “Kick It Out”, “Love Alive” and the title track, while “Straight On” led 1979’s “Dog & Butterfly” into the US Top 20.
1979’s “Bébé le Strange” reached US Gold before a pair of follow ups led a downward trend that was reversed with 1985’s self-titled record provided a series of hit singles and the group’s best-selling release, which delivered their only US No. 1 album and eventually sold more than 5 million copies in the region. A series of Grammy nominations followed into the early 1990s, with more studio releases up to an including their most recent effort, 2016’s “Beautiful Broken.”
Separately, Ann has lent her voice to classic motion picture themes and Nancy has built a successful career as a film composer. In recognition of their catalog of self-written material, they were awarded ASCAP’s prestigious Founders Award in 2009.
As the first women to lead a hard rock band, the Wilsons have been an inspiration to succeeding generations of female rockers, and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Eligible voting members will determine the 2023 inductees, which will be announced early next year, ahead of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Gala on June 15 in New York City.
Get your copy of “The Essential Heart” best-of album here.
See also:
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson selling off music gear via Reverb
Pink joins Nancy Wilson for Heart classic at Taylor Hawkins tribute
Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson streams Taylor Hawkins tribute song
Ann Wilson rocks Heart classic Barracuda at Wacken Open Air
Search Heart at hennemusic
