Rock of Nations with Dave Kinchen & Shane McEachern · Rock of Nations with Dave Kinc

#HEART’s #NancyWilson On Legacy, The #VanHalen Bros & #LedZeppelin!

·11 min·1 clip

Nancy Wilson gave Eddie Van Halen her acoustic guitar, and he called her at dawn to play a beautiful piece she's never heard again.

This episode features Nancy Wilson, the legendary guitarist and co-founder of Heart, in conversation with hosts Dave Kinchen and Shane McEachern. Wilson discusses her band's legacy, a forthcoming documentary, and her personal memories of iconic rock peers. The interview provides a rare glimpse into the relationships and experiences that shaped her career. Wilson reveals she is currently trying to contact original Heart members like Howard Leese for an upcoming band documentary. She describes Leese as a multi-instrumentalist and crucial building block for Heart's early signature sound. The documentary project has two production companies vying for it, and Wilson possesses personal Super 8 footage to contribute. She shares a vivid memory of touring with Van Halen in the 1980s, characterized by hotel bar chaos and kamikaze drinks. Wilson recalls the Van Halen brothers' intense, emotional dynamic of fighting and quickly reconciling. She details a personal musical exchange with Eddie Van Halen, who complimented her acoustic playing. Wilson gave Eddie one of her Ovation guitars, and he called her early the next morning to play a beautiful, original piece on it. This memory inspired her to create a song for him after his passing, which she intends to perform live. Regarding her current tour, Wilson states the band consciously tries to limit the number of Led Zeppelin covers they perform. Their current setlist includes "Going to California," "The Ocean," and potentially "Immigrant Song." Wilson recounts the profound experience of performing "Stairway to Heaven" at the Kennedy Center Honors for Led Zeppelin. She notes Jason Bonham, wearing his father's bowler hat, was the drummer for that tribute. The performance involved a layered arrangement with a small ensemble, strings, a large orchestra, and a mixed choir. Wilson and her sister Ann took a focused moment together backstage before walking out to play for the President and First Lady. She says the full emotional impact only hit them weeks later when watching the edited broadcast on PBS. The tone is warm, conversational, and nostalgic, filled with personal anecdotes from a rock icon. The style is informal and reflective, moving between historical stories and current projects. This episode is perfect for fans of classic rock, Heart, Led Zeppelin, and Van Halen who enjoy behind-the-scenes stories. Listeners seeking highly structured interviews or debates on music theory might find the free-flowing reminiscence less engaging.

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