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    Kicking & Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll
    Kicking & Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll
    Kicking & Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll
    Audiobook8 hours

    Kicking & Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll

    Written by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson

    Narrated by Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    Two sisters. Two voices. One Heart.

    The mystery of ""Magic Man."" The wicked riff of ""Barracuda."" The sadness and beauty of ""Alone."" The raw energy of ""Crazy On You."" These songs, and so many more, are part of the fabric of American music. Heart, fronted by Ann and Nancy Wilson, has given fans everywhere classic, raw, and pure badass rock and roll for more than three decades. As the only sisters in rock who write their own music and play their own instruments, Ann and Nancy have always stood apart—certainly from their male counterparts but also from their female peers. By refusing to let themselves and their music be defined by their gender, and by never allowing their sexuality to overshadow their talent, the Wilson sisters have made their mark, and in the process paved the way for many of today's female artists.

    In Kicking and Dreaming, Ann and Nancy, with the help of critically acclaimed and bestselling music biographer Charles R. Cross, recount a journey that has taken them from a gypsy-like life as the children of a globe-trotting Marine to the frozen back roads of Vancouver, where they got their start as a band, to the pinnacle of success—and sometimes excess. In these pages, readers will learn the truth about the relationship that inspired ""Magic Man"" and ""Crazy On You,"" the turmoil of inter-band romances gone awry, the reality of life on the road as single women and then as mothers of small children, and the thrill of performing and in some cases partying with the likes of the Rolling Stones, Stevie Nicks, Van Halen, Def Leppard, and other rock legends. It has not always been an easy path. Ann struggled with and triumphed over a childhood stutter, body image, and alcoholism; Nancy suffered the pain and disappointment of fertility issues and a failed marriage but ultimately found love again and happiness as a mom. Through it all, the sisters drew from the strength of a family bond that trumps everything else, as told in this intimate, honest, and uniquely female take on the rock and roll life.

    Throughout their career, Ann and Nancy have never found an answer to the question they are most frequently asked: ""What is it like to be a woman in rock and roll?"" Kicking and Dreaming puts that question to bed, once and for all.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9780062243690
    Author

    Ann Wilson

    Ann Wilson has served alongside her husband for more than twenty-five years, cofounding Kensington Community Church, speaking at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember®, and hosting their own marriage conferences across the country. They live in the Detroit area, and they have three grown sons, CJ, Austin, and Cody; three daughters-in-law; and five grandchildren.

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    Reviews for Kicking & Dreaming

    4.5/5

    56 ratings10 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Love ❤️ and loved this book. I graduated from high school in 1978 and they were my band from their first hit!. So well written and you can tell it’s honest. Lots of inside scoops on celebrity interactions. Wish more autobiography authors would write like this!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I did not become a fan of Heart until the 80’s when I was in my late teens/early 20’s. What a band!!! This book was so enjoyable. All the ups and downs and listening to Ann and Nancy read was the icing on the cake! I feel I know these ladies more than I ever did! I highly recommend this book to any Heart fan and even if you’re not! You won’t be disappointed!!!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Having been a Heart fan since the late 1980s I approached this autobiographical account by the Wilson sisters with interest. I expected good things and wasn’t disappointed. I like the occasional insertion from other contributors, such as the third non-famous Wilson sister and former Heart members. These brief interludes either fill in gaps where Ann and Nancy are unable to relate info as sufficiently as they’d prefer, or it reveals events from different perspectives to their own. I was especially glad that a snippet written by Roger Fisher was included, as I rate him as the best lead guitarist who's ever played in Heart.On the subject of lead guitar, I’ve always wondered why Nancy seldom adopts this role, usually sticking to rhythm guitar instead. After reading “Kicking & Dreaming” I understand the reason: she much prefers playing rhythm to lead. Fair enough!The way the book opens with a prologue relating to how Heart got their first big gig was a great way to draw the reader in. Well, it worked with me, anyway. After this short intro we go way back before the beginning, to the 1690s in fact, as the Wilsons are able to trace their maternal ancestry right back to Hannah Dustin, who’s famous in her part of America for not only escaping from Indians, but for killing and scalping them too. This may seem irrelevant with this being a book about musicians, but personally I think it fits in just fine, plus it’s entertaining thanks to Nancy’s narrative style.From here we soon progress to Ann’s birth in 1950, Nancy’s four years later, and continue with an absorbing narrative of their childhood, during which music was an essential ingredient. Seems like they were born for success. Yet success was earned, not handed to them, and it’s fascinating to read about their lives before they released "Dreamboat Annie". I’ve no negative comments to make as such, but after the lengthy section of the Wilsons’ pre-fame years, I did feel more focus should’ve been given to their albums. I would’ve liked to have read more about what they felt about their songs, how each track was inspired and developed, and how the male members of Heart responded to classics like “Mistral Wind” and “Barracuda”. It seems that once we reach 1976 the years start to wiz by faster and faster, when I would’ve liked to pause here and there. Comments are featured on several tracks, though, including the two I’ve mentioned, which proved interesting. Shame they didn’t discuss a few more.But the above is an observation, not a criticism, as the Wilson duo has proven throughout this tome that their writing skills are not limited to songs. The way Ann and Nancy have alternated their narratives throughout the book is expertly done. A rocking good read.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I didn't discover Heart until the mid-80's when I was in college. They had just released their self-titled album. Then when I was home from college one summer, I heard their interview on a radio show. I was hooked at that moment. They seemed to speak to my soul with their authenticity, humor and sibling banter. I dove into their previous music and have been a die-hard fan ever since. In the book, they mention their mother hand wrote notes to fans who wrote to them. It's 100% true. I received the kindest hand-written note from Lou that I have kept to this day. The book is a must-read for women, and men, in any industry, to be open to an awareness of how just the smallest of stupid, inconsiderate words can have a lasting effect on a soul. The audiobook is especially engaging since Ann, Nancy, Lynn and their loves and friends spoke their own words. It will be very hard to set this one aside!
    • 4/5
      This is a very detailed book it's kind of slow moving but it's absolutely genuine. If you're a big fan of heart you will enjoy it.
    • 5/5
      I’ve always been a fan, I was able to live the lyrics of so many songs as they came to life through the voice of Ann and Nancy Wilson
    • 5/5
      Always liked Heart and purchased DreamBoat Annie when I was in Grade 7. After listening to their story I’m a born again fan. Thanks for sharing.
    • 5/5
      This was an excellent tale of what it takes to be successful and the challenges of rock and roll.
    • 5/5
      The fact that Ann actually talked about her spectacular scream that starts the second chorus in “Alone” means I’d give the book 5 stars even if it stunk. But it didn’t. I feel almost embarrassed that they let me into their lives so intimately. I guess it just felt that way- I’m sure they left stuff out. Bummer the book came before Stairway at Kennedy Honors. Nancy talking about her mom passing probably made every single person that read this book cry.! Beautiful book, wonderful people. - Dan Failla, Santa Barbara
    • 4/5
      Kicking and Dreaming: A Story of Heart, Soul and Rock n Roll🍒🍒🍒🍒
      By Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson
      2012

      Honest, intimate glimpse into the world of the Wilson sisters, and Heart, the band they were such an important part of. Ann and Nancy take turns sharing and revealing their experiences, their feelings and their rise to worldwide fame. Candid and insightful, their lively and hilarious stories, loves and insights are so genuine and fun to read. I've been a fan of their music and songs for years, and this is a fantastic memoir of two women, as well as performers. This is a must for any Heart fan!!
      Highly Recommended.