For this reporter Heart has always been one of my favourite bands. So why has it been over 20 years since I have seen them, good question but I was more than happy to rectify that last night as they played at Toronto’s Massey Hall.
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 Nancy WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
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The “Sold Out” audience were ready to welcome the sisters Wilson, as soon as the house lights went off and the first sounds and lights started to play, the crowd was electric! As Nancy Wilson said in an interview the day later at CMW (Canadian Music Week), Massey Hall is not a performing Arts Centre where the audience sits on their behinds and politely applauds. The clapping and cheering grew and grew with each passing second until the stage lights highlighted Nancy as she began to play the first few chords of Barracuda, the audience erupted, jumping to their feet and almost drowning out the band, as they and Ann joined in.
Barracuda was followed immediately by Fanatic, off of their latest album, and Heartless. What an opening volley! The audience was whipped up big time, everyone was on their feet, and the first few rows even stood right up against the stage often promoting banter with Ann between songs. People were dancing in the aisles, singing along with the songs, this was a love fest between Heart and true Heart fans!
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 Ann WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
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What About Love showcased Ann’s vocal talents, such a strong a great voice that fact was not lost on the audience who gave her several rousing ovations throughout the night.
It was magic to watch Nancy flying around the stage clearly having a great time interacting with the band and crowd as they rattled off Magic Man, Kick It Out and Even It Up. The crowd was swaying back and forth to Dreamboat Annie and Dog and Butterfly a few fans even had their lighters out. The set ended with Crazy For You getting your adrenaline running and leaving you wanting more!
More is what we received… only as Heart can do; they raised the roof with Led Zeppelin’s Black Dog showing why they deserved to be at the Kennedy Awards paying tribute to Zeppelin! The opener, Simon Townshend (Pete’s brother) joined Heart on stage to cover the Who’s, Love Reign O’er Me. Both of these songs show just how good Ann and Nancy are and why they will be joining RUSH on April 18th as they are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Rating: 4 1/2  out 5
I could only think of one thing that could have made this concert a perfect 5 out 5 maples leafs, that would be about another hour or so of more Heart!!!
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 Ben SmithPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
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I had the pleasure of hooking up with Ben before and after the show, besides being an amazing drummer he is a down to earth and overall nice guy. Ben hope to see you in LA in April!
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 Nancy WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Craig BartockPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Dan RothchildPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Debbie ShairPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Nancy Wilson, Debbie Shair, Ann WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Ann WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Nancy WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Nancy Wilson and Ann WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Ann WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
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I like all of the pictures I have posted but the two immediately below show just how much Heart and especially Nancy enjoyed this show. In the Celebrity Interview the next day at CMW Nancy enlightened the audience about the two or three days of travelling from Winnipeg to Toronto throw terrible snow storms. The band was unusually quiet before the show, kind of worn down. However once on stage the coziness of the venue and the great crowd boosted their energy and pumped them up, Nancy said it was one of their best shows ever!
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 Nancy WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Nancy WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
 Ann WilsonPhoto By: Paul Beaulieu
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A HUGE to Teresa Trovato at Paul Mercs Concerts for affording me this great opportunity!
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