Unabridged Audiobook
I enjoyed this story very much. I won't lie and say I was a big Heart fan, as in I had all their albums etc. but I did like them and they were pioneers in Rock. I have to say, these women had thick skin. I could never have done it. The blatant sexism that they had to endure was nothing short of outrageous. Statements were written and said about them that no one would have ever said to a man and gotten away with it. Ever. Cock rock without the cock? Really??!! That statement was actually written about them in Rolling Stone magazine if I am not mistaken. When I read these biographies of musicians I am always struck by their undying love of music and the sacrifices they are willing to make for it. I am not just talking about the lack of money or a place to live, or even where your next meal is coming from. I mean the personal sacrifices that wear down someone's soul. Ann and Nancy Wilson tell you personally and with raw honesty what that is like, in their own words, and with their own voices. I am not always crazy about author narrated books, but I can't even imagine anyone else narrating this one. A definite 5 star listen!
This is my first audiobook and I found myself quite drawn into the story of the life of Ann and Nancy Wilson uinlike what I expected. It was nice to follow the life of a rock band duo that had lots of ups and downs and many of them told in such a way you feel like you really know both of them quite well. The storys told are on such a personal level they don't leave much out at all in which I find makes this that much better. I have to say if you are any kind of fan of the band this is a much listen.
Very neat to hear what it was like for them coming up and dealing with rock at the time.
Having just gotten into Heart's music recently as a new fan, I found myself reading this autobiography soon after discovering their music. Heart has had a colorful career with ups and downs, and the Wilson sisters share the wild rides of their life and career with the listeners. Their way of narrating makes you feel like they're right there next to you sharing their life's stories. A few people close to the Wilson sisters, along with crucial members to the Heart's timeline such as Roger Fisher and Howard Leese also make an appearance recalling events of Heart's history from their perspective. This autobiography was a very good listen and an enjoyable one at that, but what I was a bit disappointed about was that they didn't go beyond the surface when describing their albums, songs, tours, or the rock'roll lifestyle of their excess years. Sure you get in-depth explanations for classic songs like Magic Man and Barracuda, but the majority of Heart's songs are left without any explanations how they came about or how the authors feel about them. This left me wanting for more and thus somewhat disappointed, it would have been interesting to hear detailed stories especially about the albums and songs. For a fan of the band this is an enjoyable listen, albeit a casual one if you're hoping to hear in-depth stories of their song catalogue. The Wilson sisters do take you through their life and career in an entertaining manner that keeps you hooked for hours upon hours, and that is what this autobiography certainly delivers. I enjoyed it, but was left wanting for more, whether that is a positive or a negative thing is purely subjective. As a new fan, I rate this 4 stars out of 5.
I originally bought this book in hardback form to have it signed by the authors at a book signing. Being a huge fan of Heart, that signed book is my most prized item in my collection of Heart memorabilia. I knew an audio version narrated by the authors was also available, so I didn't read the hardback version until I obtained the audiobook version and could read and listen to both at the same time. I am so glad I did that! The audio version made that experience better than I imagined it would be. Not only did I learn more than I thought I would about the journey of Ann and Nancy Wilson being in a band called Heart, I learned their journey in Life, along with family, friends and other bandmates. This story tells about being in rock music and what stuggles and barriers were faced by and overcome by women in the business considered pioneers for their gender because it had always preciously been male dominated. Not only is this story unique, it's informative, detailed, and honest. I recommend it be read for any person interested in rock and roll music and a part of its history in which women broke into the scene. It will be a book you'll be glad to have listened to or read starting from the beginning, completely through, to the ending. I've just started listening for the second time, and I'm enjoying it even more. With Ann & Nancy narrating it personally, it couldn't be any better!
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