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Heart

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Band Timeline

1967

Formation of early band The Army, precursor to Heart

In 1967, bassist Steve Fossen and guitarist Roger Fisher formed the band The Army in the Seattle area. This group also included Don Wilhelm and Ray Schaefer. The Army played local venues such as high schools and clubs around Bothell, Washington, starting the early roots that would eventually evolve into the band Heart.
1969

Transition to Hocus Pocus and lineup changes

By 1969, The Army underwent personnel changes and adopted the new band name Hocus Pocus. Members included Gary Ziegelman on lead vocals and other new entrants. During this era, the band continued developing its musical style which would later influence Heart's sound.
1970-1973

Evolution from White Heart to Heart and more lineup changes

From 1970, the band was known as White Heart (adding the 'e' to avoid conflict with another band named White Hart). This moniker lasted until 1973, with several lineup changes taking place. Included were Steve Fossen, Roger Fisher, and Jeff Johnson at various points. The band shifted its name officially to Heart by 1973, setting the foundation for their major rock career.
1973

Heart officially forms with key members including Ann and Nancy Wilson

In 1973, Heart solidified its lineup featuring key members Roger Fisher and Steve Fossen alongside Ann Wilson on lead vocals and flute, and Nancy Wilson on rhythm guitar and vocals. This marked the official establishment of Heart as a band known for blending hard rock, heavy metal, and folk influences, beginning their rise in the music industry.
1975

Initial success and rise to fame

By 1975, Heart began achieving commercial success with the original lineup including Mike Derosier on drums and Howard Leese on guitar and keyboards. Their music featured a blend of hard rock with folk influences. Around this time, the band released hits like 'Magic Man' and built a strong fan base, positioning them as a rising force in rock.
1976-1977

Breakthrough hits and further success

In the mid to late 1970s, Heart scored top 40 hits such as 'Crazy on You' (1976) and the iconic hard rock anthem 'Barracuda' (1977). These songs captured the band's energetic sound and showcased the Wilson sisters' vocal prowess. The band toured extensively and released albums that solidified their reputation in rock music.
1982

Major lineup changes and struggle period

Between the late 1970s and 1982, Heart underwent significant lineup changes, with Roger Fisher, Steve Fossen, and Mike Derosier departing. They were replaced by Mark Andes on bass and Denny Carmassi on drums. This period marked a decline in popularity and commercial success, placing the band in a challenging phase.
1985

Comeback with Heart's self-titled album and new hits

Heart staged a major comeback in 1985 with their self-titled album 'Heart' which reached number one on the Billboard 200 and was certified quintuple platinum. Hits from this album included 'What About Love' and 'Never'. The album brought Heart back into mainstream prominence and introduced a more polished sound aligned with 1980s rock trends.
1986-1987

Peak commercial success with chart-topping singles

During this period, Heart delivered their only two number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100: 'These Dreams' (1986) and 'Alone' (1987). Both songs featured powerful ballads highlighting Ann Wilson's vocal capabilities. This era marked Heart’s commercial peak, appealing to a broad radio audience and gaining significant airplay and sales.
1990

'All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You' hits gold

In 1990, Heart released the single 'All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You', which became one of their biggest hits and was certified gold by the RIAA. This track continued the band's success into the 1990s and demonstrated their continued relevance in the changing rock music landscape.
1998

Band disbands

After decades of recording and touring, Heart disbanded in 1998. The breakup marked the end of an era but was not permanent. The Wilson sisters, the core of the band, would later regroup to record and tour, keeping the Heart legacy alive into the new millennium.
2013

Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, recognizing their influence and contributions to rock music. The induction honored the classic lineup including Roger Fisher, Steve Fossen, Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Michael Derosier, and Howard Leese, cementing Heart's place in rock history.
2010s-present

Continued touring and album releases with the Wilson sisters

In the 2010s and beyond, Heart has released albums and toured extensively with Ann and Nancy Wilson as the consistent members. They have maintained a presence in the rock scene, appealing to longtime fans and new audiences, and continued to place albums in the Billboard 200 top ten decades after their formation.

Albums

heart_1st_album
Dreamboat Annie
10 tracks
1975
heart_2nd_album
Magazine
8 tracks
1977
heart_3rd_album
Little Queen
10 tracks
1977
heart_4th_album
Dog & Butterfly
8 tracks
1978
heart_5th_album
Bébé le Strange
10 tracks
1980
heart_6th_album
Private Audition
11 tracks
1982
heart_7th_album
Passionworks
11 tracks
1983
heart_8th_album
Heart
10 tracks
1985
heart_9th_album
Bad Animals
10 tracks
1987
heart_10th_album
Brigade
13 tracks
1990
heart_11th_album
Desire Walks On
15 tracks
1993
heart_12th_album
Jupiters Darling
16 tracks
2004
heart_13th_album
Red Velvet Car
12 tracks
2010
heart_14th_album
Fanatic
10 tracks
2012
heart_15th_album
Beautiful Broken
10 tracks
2016
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Dan Walker

N/A

Keyboard

Ben Smith

2002

Percussion

Drums (drum set)

Craig Bartock

2004

Electric guitar

Background vocals

Nancy Wilson

1999

Electric guitar

Acoustic guitar

Background vocals

Harmonica

Keyboard

Lead vocals

Mandolin

Dan Rothchild

2012

Bass guitar

Background vocals

Ann Wilson

1973

Acoustic guitar

Lead vocals

Flute

Background vocals

Chris Joyner

2014

Keyboard

Electric guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Frank Cox

1995
1998

Electric guitar

Background vocals

Tom Kellock

2002
2003

Keyboard

Denny Fongheiser

1993
1995

Drums (drum set)

Mark Andes

1982
1992

Background vocals

Bass guitar

Roger Fisher

1973
1979

Acoustic guitar

Mandolin

Lap steel guitar

Electric guitar

Jon Bayless

1995
1998

Bass guitar

Michael Derosier

1975
1982

Percussion

Drums (drum set)

John Hannah

1973
1975

Keyboard

Mike Inez

2002
2005

Bass guitar

Darian Sahanaja

2007
2007

Keyboard

Percussion

Background vocals

Denny Carmassi

1982
1993

Percussion

Drums (drum set)

Steve Fossen

1973
1982

Background vocals

Bass guitar

Ric Markmann

2005
2009

Bass guitar

Howard Leese

1975
1998

Keyboard

Background vocals

Mandolin

Electric guitar

Nancy Wilson

1974
1995

Background vocals

Mandolin

Acoustic guitar

Harmonica

Keyboard

Lead vocals

Electric guitar

Gilby Clarke

2003
2003

Electric guitar

Ben Smith

1995
1998

Percussion

Drums (drum set)

Fernando Saunders

1993
1995

Background vocals

Bass guitar

Brian Johnstone

1973
1975

Drums (drum set)

Darian Sahanaja

2003
2004

Keyboard

Background vocals

Percussion

Scott Olson

1995
1998

Electric guitar

Scott Olson

2002
2003

Acoustic guitar

Background vocals

Electric guitar

Story of Heart

Heart: A Rock Legacy Built on Power and Passion

Heart, the iconic American-Canadian rock band, emerged from the fertile music scene of Vancouver, British Columbia in 1973. The band's roots run deep, tracing back to earlier projects led by founding members Roger Fisher (guitar) and Steve Fossen (bass), including The Army, Hocus Pocus, and White Heart.

By 1975, the core lineup that propelled Heart to stardom was solidified: Fisher, Fossen, and the powerful vocal duo of Ann Wilson (lead vocals and flute) and Nancy Wilson (rhythm guitar and vocals), alongside Michael Derosier (drums) and Howard Leese (guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals). This formidable team, recognized for their contributions in 2013 with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, spearheaded Heart's rise to prominence in the mid-to-late 1970s.

Heart's music blended the raw energy of hard rock and heavy metal with the heartfelt vulnerability of folk influences, creating a unique and enduring sound. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw significant lineup changes, with Fisher, Fossen, and Derosier departing and being replaced by Mark Andes (bass) and Denny Carmassi (drums). While the band faced a dip in popularity initially, they staged a triumphant comeback in the mid-1980s, fueled by a string of radio hits that continued into the 1990s.

Though Heart officially disbanded in 1998, the Wilson sisters remained the constant, consistently reuniting for tours and new recordings. Their legacy, however, extends far beyond those landmark hits. Heart's catalog boasts a string of classic rock anthems, including "Magic Man" (1975), "Crazy on You" (1976), "Barracuda" (1977), "What About Love" (1985), "Never" (1985), and "All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You" (1990). Their iconic power ballads "These Dreams" (1986) and "Alone" (1987) solidified their place in the rock pantheon.

Heart's story is a testament to the enduring power of music, marked by unwavering passion, creative evolution, and the unbreakable bond between the Wilson sisters. Their influence on rock music continues to resonate with fans worldwide, proving that Heart's music, much like their spirit, is truly timeless.

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