Kicking and Dreaming

A Story of Heart, Soul, and Rock and Roll

By: Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson

Narrated by: Ann Wilson, Nancy Wilson

Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

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 best-selling 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.

©2012 Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers

The Wilson Sisters, focused and brave !!

Excellent and inspiring. Ann & Nancy Wilson narrate simultaneously through the early journey of their music/artistic life. I loved Nancy's Joni Mitchel (searching for her home) story, so cute. Ann gives you her strength and resilience straight from her heart. Bravo !!!

Big fan of Heart. It was great to hear their story.

Heart is such an inspirational group. A group fronted by two sisters who love rock, have angelic voices and can rock as hard as any guy. I learned a lot about them that I didn’t know. Though they got their start in Canada they are actually American military brats. It was fascinating to hear how their unusual upbringing of moving around the world with their USMC dad’s career impacted their careers. Ann and Nancy narrate their parts of the book as well as other friends. It was really entertaining and great to hear their stories in their iconic voices.

I have a newfound RESPECT

this production is so well done absolutely loved it. after each explanation of how they wrote a song, I would pause this and go to YouTube play the music dance and then come back to the story again. Both of their voices are so comforting and soothing. Both singing and telling their life stories. Complex beautiful interesting humans. So much respect for Ann and Nancy Wilson.

The Wilson sisters rock!!

I loved this book! I liked how they announced who would be reading the chapters and it was highly entertaining and truthful! I've met Ann once and it was a moment I'll never forget!

Real life, honest and vulnerable

I was a Heart fan in the late 70s and 80s. I love that this book is not only read by Ann and Nancy Wilson but also shares the voices of their sister Lynn, they’re best friends Sue Ennis, and the voices of other band members.

Having been a fan I knew some of the basic outline of the story, but to hear them share the background and truth of their family and how they got into music, the challenges, the relationships, the reality of the music business, and their honest recall of their experiences with some famous people really was interesting.

Now that the book has ended I almost feel like I lost a couple of friends who were sharing their life story with me on a road trip!

I would recommend this book even if you are not a heart fan just because of the honesty and vulnerability of the topics they share. Such a courageous sharing!

Good Stuff - Honest and Interesting.

A great listen and education from two icons of rock and their beginnings and up to present day experiences.

Loved it.

Very cool to listen to how they were influenced, and the stories that shaped & molded them into who they would become. Fledgling musicians to rock n roll queens & unintentional influencers in their own rite. Each story & event like puzzle pieces laid out to show the unfinished picture that is Heart.

fascinating insight the story behind some legends

it's always fun to hear the amazing story behind some legendary music from your past... I always enjoy hearing the stories behind the songs, what was going on during the times of the tours oh, and the relationships with other artists.

This Book hit on all of that and more period.. Well worth the read

A joyful find for a fan

If you could sum up Kicking and Dreaming in three words, what would they be?

I good clear assessment of who they are, where they wre, and how they got to where they wanted to go.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Kicking and Dreaming?

For me, the dicussion about their work in the mid 80's was memorable. It was the time when I started to tune them out, the book helped explain how it all happened.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed hearing about the various records and songs. I often paused the book to relisten to an old album or song to tie it well with the book.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ann's complete honesty about weight, drugs and relationships along the way was quite moving. She was open and frank and honest. Very refreshing to find someone willing to be so open. As I 37 year fan I appreciate the trust she shared with me, the reader.

Any additional comments?

I loved the book and read through it quite quickly (for me). I found the way that some rather dark areas of the history were shared honestly and reflectively. When certain details came out that could hav ebeen exploited, I found their approach rather clear, frank and honest. This was no gossip rag biography.

Very interesting and insightful

Where does Kicking and Dreaming rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Close to the top

What did you like best about this story?

Just how much love they show for each other and their family.

What does Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

It is like you are sitting there listening to them telling story's and you get the emotion through the way they tell everything. They were great.