Nancy Wilson Chicago Sun Interview

Summerfest's annual music, food fest offers taste of razzle-dazzle
BY BOBBY REED
Chicago Sun Times

Milwaukee's annual music festival, now in its 42nd year, has evolved into a gargantuan event that still manages to be fan-friendly. It features an eclectic music lineup, low ticket prices, plenty of parking and 45 food vendors in a pleasant setting right on Lake Michigan.

Classic rock fans can sing along to hits like "Barracuda," "Magic Man" and "Alone" when Heart appears on June 29 at 9 p.m. on the M&I stage.

The band's core members remain sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. Ann is the lead singer on the vast majority of Heart's songs, but the 1986 hit "These Dreams" featured a lead vocal by Nancy. The song was composed by Bernie Taupin and Martin Page.

"In that part of the '80s, we were expected to do outside material, songs we didn't write ourselves," Nancy said from her home in Los Angeles. "We heard this amazing demo of 'These Dreams,' and I just fell head over heels in love with it. I knew I wanted to sing it. So we recorded a nice version of it. But then our management company said, 'No, no, no. It's too confusing. Nancy shouldn't be singing lead. She's just the blond chick that plays guitar.' I had to really fight for that song, and it turned out to be the first No. 1 single we ever had."

Along with the Summerfest gig, Heart will play at the Naperville Ribfest on July 2. Read more here.