Book Review: "Kicking & Dreaming" By Ann & Nancy Wilson

Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson have been making music together for over 40 years.

First as adolescents who just wanted to entertain friends and family. Then as professional musicians touring across Canada with band monikers such as "White Heart" and "Hocus Pocus."  And finally as the chart topping, multiplatinum band "Heart."

Their story has been told many times before through television shows such as VH-1's "Behind The Music" but now with the release of their autobiography "Kicking & Dreaming" the Wilson sisters get to set the record straight in their own words.

With the help of author Charles R. Cross ("Heavier Than Heaven" and "Led Zeppelin: Shadows Taller Than Our Souls") the story of Heart is told interview style with Ann and Nancy each reflecting on every aspect of their personal and professional lives.

On one page Ann will tell you how she felt during a specific event followed by Nancy corroborating the same event and giving her own opinions.  This form of writing works perfectly for "Kicking & Dreaming" as it gives both sisters equal time without them feeling like they might have to write their own book one day.

Readers expecting this book to be 100% rock and roll might be a little disappointed as much of "Kicking & Dreaming" reads more like history of the Wilson family as opposed to the history of the band Heart.


At times much of what would have been interesting to read is glossed over.  In one chapter Ann states that in 1989 they had to fire their band but we are never told why or what happened to lead them to this decision.  Band members such as long time bassist Mark Andes get short shrift as the only thing mentioned about him is his hair color!  Andes was a member for 10 years during the band's biggest commercial success and all we find out is... he was blonde.

In the end we come away knowing almost everything their is to know about Ann & Nancy's formative years as teens, their relationships with men (positive and negative) and their joy of becoming parents late in life.  These stories are necessary in letting the reader know about the Wilson sisters as people but if you're looking for a book about rock'n'roll from cover to cover then this is not the book for you.

Drumroll please... 6 out of 10 drumsticks!!!