Heart’s Royal Flush 2024 Tour is a big winner in Hollywood!

April 25th, 2024

I can’t quite remember the first time I saw Heart live in concert. My recollection is that it was for their PASSIONWORKS tour in 1983. If I were able to ask a dearly departed friend (EM), I’m sure he would know the exact date, venue in South Florida, and probably what Ann and Nancy Wilson were wearing. Precise memory recall must be a wonderful thing. Over the years I have seen the ladies’ countless times including a meet-and-greet for their BAD ANIMALS tour in 1987. I do remember that vividly. They were both so gracious and lovely and Ann was sporting blue colored tinted hair. I have to say, I thought that was pretty cool.  That experience and show is something I will never forget and am very grateful for. That being said, I am a seasoned veteran to Heart’s Rock and Roll extravaganzas. This evening at the Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Fla, their Royal Flush 2024 tour kicks off an amazing run that will continue through December. Tonight was their 3^rd stop.

Their performance this evening was all Heart all the time. Going back their first album release, Dreamboat Annie in 1976 to the present day (a new Heart song was in the mix, “Roll The Dice”), they represented the best of the best. Along with Ryan Waters – guitars, and the band Tripsitter (Ann Wilson’s solo ensemble included Sean T. Lane – drums and bike, Paul Moak – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals, Tony Lucido – bass, backing vocals, Ryan Wariner – lead and rhythm guitar) Nancy Wilson on guitar, is still a marvel to watch and a lesson to every player out there, women ROCK!  Ann Wilson, the greatest female singer in rock history (yes, my opinion), still graces the stage with an incredible delivery and an untouchable vocal prowess. Not as mobile as in the show’s past, having undergone knee replacement surgery, she sat center stage a good part of the show. No matter. She could be rolled out in a hospital bed and still hit all the high notes. And I would be there watching the show.

Of course, if you know me at all, my favorite moment in the set came with a two-song medley: “Alone” (my favorite Heart song of all time) and “What About Love,” which runs in my top-ten. I have to admit however, I wish they had done both songs in their entirety. Heart’s “Straight On” and David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” was another mashup that worked brilliantly, receiving quite an ovation from the audience. Of course, their many classics received the loudest hoots and hollers, “Never,” “Magic Man,” “These Dreams,” “Barracuda” (probably a good thing they didn’t title the song shark, or some other fish) and of course, the encore, “Crazy on You.” Their cover of Led Zepplin’s “Going to California,” broke out the cell phone lights. While Ann Wilson’s and Tripsitter’s “This is Now” was graced with a reflective hush.

Heart’s ROYAL FLUSH 2024 TOUR is more than just a walk or dance down memory lane. Inductees to the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame, the honor is evident. Ann and Nancy haven’t missed a step or beat. Like fine wine that gets better with age, the women of Heart can still play and sing kick ass rock’n’roll.