Heart's Ann Wilson headlines Women Who Rock at Stage AE
Being successful for a woman in the music industry is about refusing to take “no” for an answer.
Someone who knows that firsthand is Ann Wilson from Heart.
“You have to be pushy, and you will have to sacrifice everything, if you are serious about your career,” said Wilson, who will be in Pittsburgh on Saturday to perform at the sixth annual “Women Who Rock” concert at Stage AE on the North Shore. “It is important that for young women to get into the music industry, they need to work well with everyone. You have to be able to face each challenge and work through it.”
Wilson embodies the mission of “Women Who Rock,” says Melinda Colaizzi, musician and founder of the event. Wilson is one of the greatest singers in the history of rock, she added. “Her powerful voice has been sending chills down her audience’s collective spine for over five decades.”
Wilson credits her parents with inspiring her love of music. She told the Tribune-Review she remembers listening to tunes all the time growing up by performers such as Harry Belafonte and Judy Garland. She said she is excited to come to Pittsburgh and that she missed performing live during the pandemic.
“It is so cool to be on stage again,” Wilson said. “We appreciate it more.”
Known for songs such as “Barracuda,” “Crazy On You,” and “Magic Man,” this past year she sang with Disturbed’s front man David Draiman on the duet “Don’t Tell Me,” from the group’s recently released album “Divisive.”
The evening will feature special guest The Vindys, an alternative-rock band from Youngstown, Ohio, and a set from Pittsburgh-based DJ Madame Trio.
WDVE’s Michele Michaels will return as the emcee for the sixth year.
Guests will experience an interactive beauty bar, a social sharing photo booth and a silent auction.
Dr. Jocelyn Fitzgerald will receive the Women Who Rock Impact Award. Fitzgerald is an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Magee-Womens Research Institute, which is the event’s beneficiary.
“Women Who Rock is not just a performance. It uses the power of music to educate, support and fund women-centric health research,” Colaizzi said.
Women’s health is very important, Wilson said, but added she is passionate about health care for all — and music is the perfect vehicle for raising those funds.
“Music can be the voices on the stage that help us voice our message about the importance of women’s health,” said Colaizzi. “It isn’t easy but anything worth doing takes strength and perseverance. We have a small but mighty team that continually rises to the challenge. Women have to be their own advocates. Women have super powers.”
She said they are grateful to having Wilson take the stage.
“Her presence and her voice … she is a legend,” Colaizzi said. “She can help us make an impact on women’s health and saving lives. No one signifies a woman who rocks more than her. She is a role model for others like me, where being in the music industry is our dream. She is continually working extra hard to get things done. We can all learn from watching her.”
General admission tickets are $59.50 and available here.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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