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

LOVE These Women who ROCK Congratulations Sisters

As a huge fan of Heart, I have rocked and been rocked by Ann & Nancy since the days of Dreamboat Annie. Many Amazing Live performances over the years... This intimate autobiography-- Read by the ladies themselves-- couldn't have been better. Well, actually-- they could have added a Wilson Sister music track before and between chapters. (an additional benefit of LISTENING to Their Story in their Own Voices... :-)

Personal and encompassing

Really solid story that gives quality understanding and insight to these two women. Annne’s narration is natural and very listenable. While it always sounds like Nancy is reading her words, she’s so sweet that eventually you won’t care. I think This stands up well with the other great rock ‘n’ roll audiobooks.

The best story ever!!!!

What an incredible journey! Thank you so much for sharing your story. If you are looking for a good story this would
be it. I could not stop listening! Thank you so much Ann and Nancy for letting me in on your story.

A wonderful, wonderful treatment

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

One of the best audiobook performances I've heard. The authors reading their own text significantly improved the quality of this audiobook.

What about Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson ’s performance did you like?

The Wilson sisters detail their childhood, the formation and career of Heart, and the events of their lives through 2012. What significantly enhances the audiobook is that Ann and Nancy Wilson themselves are the readers! On top of that, several other key individuals in the book also have parts they read: Ann's first love Michael Fisher, who had the strongest vision of what Heart could be come before their first album in addition to being the subject of both Magic Man and Crazy on You; Roger Fisher, Heart's amazing lead guitarists who became involved with Nancy; and others as well. For anyone like myself who has been listening to Heart since the 70's, the book contains revelation after revelation. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I found the book quite moving.

Amazing!

My respect for those two women is immense. Music would’ve suffered greatly had these two not lived their dream! Loved the real voices of those who could speak as themselves. That made the book!

Heart to your heart

The book easily keeps your interest with fascinating stories of life on the road. The use of both Ann and Nancy as narrators added a great dimension to the book.

Heart is deep in my soul.

Loved it, listened while sailing overnight. I had no idea of their story, just Heart's early music.

Love Ann & Nancy even more!

I have been listening to Heart my entire life! My favorite tunes are from their early work. And I loved hearing how those songs originated! I also loved learning about their personal lives & their struggles, as mothers, sisters & Rock & Roll stars. I saw them twice in concert & knowing what they were going through while they were performing created much respect! Thank you, Ann & Nancy for never giving up on your dreams. Your songs have been the soundtrack to my life!

Vivid telling by Ann & Nancy Wilson & Friends

Great bio but made even better by the Wilson sisters and their freinds who help narrate the WIlson sister' stories. Really makes it entertaining to hear contributors to this story actually tell their part of it in their own voice as part of the narration.

A little disappointing that no pictures came with the book, but still a wonderful audio book.

Good read for a pair of legends

I enjoyed the story and now know their influences that shaped their sound. I also enjoyed hearing the stories behind the songs.