Q&A - "Heart's Sex Appeal"

Hi Roger,

Thanks for taking questions. It's really cool of you to allow fans the opportunity to share their connection to Heart's music with a creator of it.

I hope I can articulate my question. It's a little heady. Some background on my thought process: Until about three months ago, I hadn't thought about the 70's since the 70's. But through some crazy mid life funk, I'm obsessively drawn to my musical formations right now. I've been not just listening to, but studying bands that shaped me musically with a renewed passion, trying to understand why I connect so deeply. In the past couple of months, I've been totally obsessed in quick secession with: Jimmy Page's riffs (and face), George Harrison's spiritual lyrics, Elton John's spin on Americana, The Eagles harmonies, and everything about Exile on Main Street. So, this week seems to be Heart's turn. Dream Boat Annie was my first album. I was 9 years old. My connection is still crazy strong, but unlike the other bands, I can't quite understand the power of that music.

The obvious answer would be that it's a female rock band. But that's not it. It became a female rock band later, which is all fine and good. But that early incarnation of Heart was something even more unique. It was somehow the very essence of sexuality. Not the act of sex, nothing slutty or vulgar. On the contrary, where much of society at that time was representing the male/female relationship as an opportunity to be as selfish as you want, like the cat calls in a Charlie perfume ad, there was a true respect for the beauty and hardship of relationships in the Heart music. There was feminism in there, but it wasn't pissed, there was a pounding male backbone, but it wasn't objectifying or belittling. It was supportive. I just watched a video of you and Nancy playing the introduction to Love Alive. It is musical porn. You seem to become one through your instruments.

My question part (I know, finally) is: does this make any sense? Have others observed this massive musical interpretation of Adam and Eve? If so, do you understand it? Did you understand it as it was happening? Why was 1976 the cultural time for this to occur? It's never been recaptured in a global or even national musical group since. Maybe we're all too jaded now. Maybe we realize it's a pipe dream. Maybe the reality of relationship is what destroyed your band as much as the fantasy created it?

Sincerely, Lisa S.

RF:
Lisa,

Thanks so much for your words and question, you are obviously a deep-thinking and insightful person.

This deep connection you refer to - sexually based - is an almost invisible, but absolutely necessary element that is part of the fabric of life. All plants, animals, and insects rely on this playfulness for their being. The Wilson sisters were both very “sexy,” in that they, like the Fisher brothers, were very gifted with the life force. That is part of what our union radiated with, and it was powerful enough to have people like you take notice.

The fact that that force was united with lyrics that reflected things that matter, in an intelligent manner, was what set Heart apart from so many other groups. There are a lot of people in this world, and all respond to different kinds of music. Heart appeals on many levels, so it enjoys longevity and appreciation on a very deep level.

Sexually-charged! Definitely! Thanks for feeling, hearing, and seeing us, Lisa.

You asked if we understood it as it was happening. I can only answer for myself: I knew I was consciously charging the music with energy, and I knew the chemistry between Nance and I was absolutely fantastic, but I didn’t know how rare it would turn out to be in hindsight, 40 years later. What we brought to the world was a rare and beautiful thing. Sylvan Song was composed originally by me - an attempt to win Nance’s Heart while learning how to play mandolin. When she added her part, the duet was very sweet, delightfully stirring, profoundly inspiring!

The band Heart had to split up when it did. Details that make that make sense will be in bro Mike’s and my autobiography, Bros.

Rog - May 4, 2015

Q&A - "I just felt like I needed to write and say thank you."

Dear Mr. Fisher,

I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for the wonderful music you were so instrumental in creating in your time with Heart! I was 16 when Barracuda came out and I bought the Little Queen album back then and fell in love with so many of the songs.

RF: Thanks, I was very fortunate to have been in such a great band.
That position - of being exposed to good musicianship for the first time - is one whose influence is life-lasting, as I well know, having been raised on the Beatles.

Unfortunately, about a year ago, I had to leave my job as an engineer at Ford here in Michigan due to a rare condition that blinds me in either or both eyes. I never know until I open my eyes in the morning whether I'll see and it usually takes five weeks before I get my sight back. I will usually have 1 to 5 days of good vision before the whole thing starts again. Because of this, I have had a lot of "down" time (both literally and figuratively) in the last year and when I can see, I look for things to do on the computer. I heard a Heart song on the radio the other day and decided to look at some Youtube videos of some of those great songs and it occurred to me that I didn't know the name of Heart's main guitarist and found it was you! Since then, I have watched a lot of the interviews of you on the web and I especially love the Youtube video of you doing "Love Alive" acoustically.

RF: That was at Delta State University, where I was talking to students and staff in 2008. Pretty crude compared to the version of the song that will be on my new album, All Told.

From your interviews, I can tell you are truly a kind and thoughtful person!

RF: I view the position of a public figure as one of great responsibility, as we influence much more than many realize. To be a positive influence, one can't merely act a role, one must be that which inspires and uplifts, which is why I enjoy receiving messages like the one you sent today.

You also seem to be so joyful in your life. My favorite author, C.S. Lewis talked about how important it is to be joyful in one's outlook in life and one can just see it in your eyes that you are there.

RF: C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors as well. Think about the "pools of possibility" in Narnia. This pool will take you to this magical place; this other pool leads to another magical place, and on and on. We have the same capacity with our soul consciousness...to go anywhere. Knowing this through practice and accident, I manage to stay engulfed in the fascination of the wonder of it all, which is such a source of joy.

With global warming and the synergistic effect of several calamitous powers acting together, the possibility of great loss of life and grand-scale tragedy loom in our direct future. Your blindness brings to my mind the common denominator so many may soon face: hardship. I've felt personal hardship a few times in my life. The thing that always works to lift my spirits is the realization that we'll soon be out of this body, so, "what the fuss?" I know, easy for me to say, but all it takes is a half-second glimpse of who we are without a body, and wow! Life is so precious and beautiful whether or not we have arms; can see; or can walk. There are human conditions so incredibly deplorable and painful the only way through them is spirit-realization...what humanity seems to need above all.

To me, the only way to unite humanity is with a global foe that threatens us all to the point we have to help each other, practicing pure, simple decency and caring. No religion, government or set of laws has managed to achieve this. The opposite seems to be true: division. Sure, division, greed and hostility produce an evolution that brings many great things, but ultimately will fail. The earth's humanity have an opportunity to show we can unite, combine resources, weather the approaching storm and come through with integrity. Enter music: possibly the most catalytic, congealing force we know.

I guess I'm not sure exactly why I am writing as I don't believe I have ever in my life written someone well known like yourself. I think it is because my rediscovering your wonderful music after all these years has given me "joy" and seeing that the person who created this incredible music is such a wonderful joyful person who seems so at peace inside has temporarily pulled me out of the scary, uncertain place I've been in. I guess this may not make any sense, but for some reason, I just felt like I needed to write and say thank you.

RF: Thank you, John. A musician in my position can never fully grasp what it is we have brought to the world, but I'm very grateful to be in the position to add a smile to your day and lilt to your heart. I think you'll like the new album:-)

Q&A - "Mysterious Magic Man"

Hey Roger:

Why is it nearly impossible to find out anything current about your brother Michael Fisher, the ex-boyfriend of Ann Wilson of Heart on the internet?

RF: Simple. He's the Magic Man.

I've always been a big fan of your work; you have amazing talent and your experience is just the icing man.

RF: Thanks for your kind words, Dave. There are thousands of incredibly talented people who never get famous.

But I've got a question for you that's been buggin me for years... 
Seriously, I don't know, except that is exactly the way he wants it, at least up to now.

RF: Some Heart fans and followers have an inkling of the importance of the role Mike Fisher played in our lineup, hence your question. Until Mike chooses to come out and talk about the "ol' days," no one will really know. Fortunately for all of us, Mike is about to do just that, in the form of a dual-autobiography entitled, BROS. I decided to put all the work being done on my autobiography into something that is synergistically more interesting and profound.

Not only is his career after leaving Heart a mystery, but there's an absence of even a photo of him... Did someone blackball him, or maliciously have all information about him removed?

RF: Ah, the enigma. Mike co-produces our new album, All Told. It is a great album and can give one an idea of Mike's greatness and value in anything he chooses to become involved with. Thing is, he has never been attracted to fame. He loves to see those around him earn the glory and be featured. He enjoys pulling the strings from his veiled refuge.

This is very odd man, especially since he was apparently talented and liked enough to remain a permanent fixture of Heart's band throughout the 70's. There has to be more to this story, you know?

RF: There is so much more, and what an incredible story! I am proud and honored to be his brother, and I'll gladly state, as many who know him, there is a very good reason he's called the Magic Man.

Q&A - "What can people do to get all of the heart members back together?"

I miss the real HEART music so much! like you said in the past the world needs it.<!--more--> I know I do!! I remember seeing you in concert with heart in 1977 in Kalamazoo MI. I have all your 4 Heart album's. Heart is not the same anymore and has not been since the three of you left. God Bless.

RF: Thanks for asking that question.

A rally cry from a lot of people might make a difference.

Also, if the new albums bro Mike and I are putting out did well, I believe there could be a chance of a Heart reunion. If it ever happens, I believe we could generate a lot of money that could go to some good charities, which is what I’d like to see happen.

Q&A - "What made the 1976 line-up of Heart so musically and commercially successful?"

Roger,

Hello. I’m Tony and I am glad to learn you are still making music and putting it out there. One thing led to another while surfing the internet for my band and I decided to search for musicians that had an influenced on me. My passion for making and recreating music spans over 48 years. Your work in Heart was one of many influences over the years that still speaks to me today to the point where finding out why-became necessary. Here is what I have learned so far; Music is energy that is founded in vibrations of air. How those vibrations work together has everything to do with our energy as humans and how we interact with each other and all the vibrant energy that is life. The following is a case for any musically and commercially successful musician and music group. Lennon and McCartney, Simon and Garfunkel, Taylor and Simon are some examples. The list goes on and on.

Your energy, and hence your music making, was tuned-in to the energy of those around you at a point in time when all the pieces of the puzzle were present. It was not only the players, but also, the time was ripe.

The life experiences of your band mates had to run their course before they could come together to make the high caliber music that emerged. Coming together ten years earlier or later would likely have proved uneventful, but the time was ripe when personal and musical energies were mature enough to create. Of special note is the chemistry shared between you and Michael and you and Nancy Wilson. Some would simplify it to testosterone and estrogen, but it is much more than that. It seems on top of the hormones, personalities played a huge part. Your deep connection with Michael as brothers and your strong attraction to Nancy brought out a quality to your creativity that resonates to this day. The chemistry (personal and musical interaction) with Ann, Howard, Steve and Mike D. were absolutely necessary as well. It is synonymous to finding your musical sound. Most of us fumble around with guitars, strings, amplifiers and sound effects and try to latch on to a sound that is worth listening, but rarely do. (I am still searching. When some of the pieces are in place, I feel energized and melodies and words start to flow.) When Heart continued without your energy, a well-tuned balance was upset. The band’s direction lost a primal quality and assumed a more delicate demeanor. Your time in Alias did find some success. What made the 1976 line-up of Heart so musically and commercially successful? It sometimes seems the pieces all fall into place or they don't. Have you ever replaced the pick-ups or tubes in your most favorite guitar or amplifier hoping to make a great sound-better, only to discover the outcome was not as strong as you hoped? Surely, you are finding musical success and satisfaction in your current endeavors. Few musicians get to experience the synergy you have been blessed to find with other musicians. I hope you continue to find it again and again.

My story is the same as for many musicians; still searching for that synergistic line-up of band mates. In the mean time, my youngest daughter recently moved to the Pacific Northwest. Some day when I visit her, as part of my bucket list, I hope our paths might cross and I get to hear you and Mike perform or maybe we get to talk a while over coffee. Until then, thank you for having made the music I still enjoy today.

Best wishes always.
Tony

RF: Thanks so much for your email, it shows great insight not only into the timing and relevance of a musical group, but a hint of a very rare triumvirate of human spirit, my love and interaction between the most important people in my life at the time, Nancy Wilson and Michael Fisher.

Heart was the crystallization of like-minded people who were all cognizant of the current music of the time, invested deeply in their personal quest of becoming musicians, and intently desirous of achieving a conquest. That was the formula for a wonderful rock and roll band that is still relevant and vital in today’s music picture. We have huge respect and gratitude to people like you who see deeply into the ongoing scenario.

Mike and I are about to release two new albums in 2016, Rog&amp;TheTribeLive1, and All Told, a studio album that took seven years to complete. Seven years?!?, you exclaim. The reasons it took so long are several:
1. It is part one of a four-album package entitled One Vision. We needed to create synergy and interplay between four albums when we created All Told. That takes a lot of time and creativity.
2. Most the songs had been written already between the years 1980 and 2008. Finishing those tracks to our present standard was a responsibility we shared, fueled by what we perceived as a truly great collection of songs that deserved to be treated with the utmost care and a high standard of production excellence. That required countless hours nit-picking, rewriting, rerecording… a lot of effort.
3. Life! There are so many daily goings-on that take time away from our artistic work, it’s amazing we were able to finish at all.
4. Learning to relax and slow down was a major lesson for me. When I finally simply succumbed to the fact that the only way to be at peace with this project was to abandon my feeling of the urgent need to finish, I was so much more happy. The feeling of riding on the pace of one’s existence, as opposed to “pushing the river,” has made a wonderful difference in my daily attitude and personal feeling of well-being. The work will be done when it is done, and it will be the best we can do.

So in response to your last line, Tony, I’m very happy to say, "we are continuing."