Nancy Wilson, the legendary guitarist of Heart, has recently addressed decades-long rumors about her relationship with her sister Ann Wilson. In a statement shared with Louder Sound, Nancy provided clarity on how these misconceptions emerged and the profound impact they had on both sisters during their early career. The Heart guitarist spoke about a controversial headline that sparked significant offense within the band and their circle.

The Heart guitarist spoke about a controversial headline that had sparked offense within the band and their circle. Wilson explained the nature of the misunderstanding and how it affected the sisters at the time. Nancy Wilson was very direct in her response, clarifying the false nature of these claims and the source of this damaging publicity.

Nancy Wilson Addresses Sexual Insinuation

Nancy Wilson was clear and frank about the nature of the rumors that had plagued the band. She spoke candidly about how the insinuation was deliberately sexual in nature, and the damage it caused to her and her sister. The publicity stunt orchestrated by someone within the record label’s circle had created lasting tensions.

“The insinuation was really sexual, that we were l*sbians. And of course we were not. So we were really offended. One of the publicity people around the record company probably came up with it.”

This direct statement from Nancy reveals the true source of the false narrative. Someone within the record company’s marketing division had deliberately crafted this sexually charged rumor as a publicity tool. The intent was clearly to generate buzz and attention, regardless of the consequences it would have on the sisters’ personal and professional lives.

The Dreamboat Annie Party Incident

Wilson went on to describe a specific and humiliating incident that occurred during a party celebrating the band’s album Dreamboat Annie. This incident further illustrated the profound impact the rumor had on Ann Wilson. The event became a turning point that would inspire one of Heart’s most iconic and powerful songs.

“At a party for Dreamboat Annie, this guy comes up to Ann and says: ‘How’s your lover, Annie?’ She goes: ‘Well Mike Fisher’s right over there. He’s fine.’ And he goes: ‘No, I mean your sister!’ Ann turned on her boot heel and huffed out of the room, then wrote the words for Barracuda up in her hotel room.”

This anecdote reveals the depth of pain and anger that the rumor had caused Ann Wilson. The personal violation and public humiliation she experienced became the catalyst for creating one of rock music’s most iconic protest songs. The crude and inappropriate comment made by this individual encapsulated all the misogyny and objectification that the sisters faced in the early 1970s music industry.

Barracuda: Born From Misogyny and Exploitation

The inspiration for “Barracuda” came directly from a sleazy individual who approached Ann Wilson with a crude, sexualized comment about her and Nancy’s relationship. This person made an incestuous l*sbian insinuation, which was not only disrespectful but deeply offensive to both sisters. Ann Wilson transformed this moment of violation into a powerful statement through her songwriting.

Record Label’s Deliberate Marketing Stunt

Heart’s record label, Mushroom Records, deliberately fueled these damaging rumors as a calculated publicity stunt. The label placed an advertisement in Rolling Stone magazine insinuating that Ann and Nancy Wilson were sexual partners. This was a complete fabrication designed solely to generate controversy and attention, with no regard for the emotional harm it would cause the sisters. The marketing tactic was deliberately misogynistic and exploitative, treating the women in the band as objects to be used for profit.

A Legacy of Resilience Against Misogyny

Ann Wilson spoke out about these false rumors and the broader culture of misogyny that was prevalent in the music industry during that era. Both sisters were deeply affected by the hostile environment they encountered as pioneering women in rock music. Ann emphasized that “Barracuda” was a direct response to the objectification and sexualization they faced, transforming pain into powerful artistic expression. The song became an anthem against the exploitation of women in the rock industry. Despite these challenges and the relentless scrutiny they faced during their early career, Ann and Nancy Wilson continued to break barriers and forge ahead. They demonstrated remarkable resilience in a male-dominated industry that treated them with disrespect and contempt. Their legacy stands as a powerful testament to their strength and determination. They paved the way for women in rock music and earned respect and admiration from their peers and fans alike. Heart’s story serves as an important reminder of how women in the entertainment industry have had to overcome misogynistic attitudes, harmful rumors, and deliberate exploitation to achieve their success.