List of Heart band members

Heart is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 1973, the group originally consisted of vocalist Ann Wilson, guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, drummer Brian Johnstone and keyboardist John Hannah. Shortly after the group's formation, Wilson's younger sister Nancy joined as rhythm guitarist, Johnstone was replaced by Michael Derosier and Hannah by Howard Leese. The band's current lineup includes the Wilson sisters, drummer Denny Fongheiser (from 1993 to 1995, and since 2019), guitarists Craig Bartock (since 2003) and Ryan Walker (since 2019), bassist Andy Stoller and keyboardist Dan Walker (both since 2019).

Members of Heart performing live in 1978 (top), 2007 (middle) and 2010 (bottom)

History

1973–1995

Heart evolved from the earlier band the Army, which featured guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen and drummer Mike Fisher (Roger's brother).[1] The group went through a number of lineup changes in its early years, as well as changing its name to White Heart (also sometimes credited simply as Heart) and later Hocus Pocus.[2] Once it had settled on the name Heart in 1973, the band included Roger Fisher and Fossen, vocalist Ann Wilson (who became romantically involved with Mike Fisher), drummer Brian Johnstone and keyboardist John Hannah.[3] Wilson's younger sister Nancy joined as rhythm guitarist the following year (and became romantically involved with Roger Fisher), while Hannah and Johnstone were replaced by Howard Leese and Michael Derosier, respectively, upon the band's signing with Mushroom Records in 1975.[4]

After the release of the band's first four albums, Fisher was fired from Heart in October 1979 due to increased tensions within the group, stemming from his lifestyle and breakup with Nancy Wilson.[5] Leese took over the role of the band's lead guitarist, as they remained a four-piece.[6] Fossen and Derosier also left after the recording of 1982's Private Audition, with Mark Andes and Denny Carmassi taking their respective positions.[7] Both members remained with the band until the early 1990s; Andes left in 1992, prior to recording for the following year's Desire Walks On,[8] before Carmassi followed the next year, after performing on said album.[9] Following the album's release, the departed Andes and Carmassi were replaced by Fernando Saunders and Denny Fongheiser, respectively.[10]

1995–2019

Heart spent several years in the late 1990s on temporary hiatus as the Wilson sisters worked on other projects, including together in new group the Lovemongers.[4] The band toured occasionally without Nancy Wilson, adding lead guitarist Frank Cox, rhythm guitarist Scott Olson, bassist Jon Bayless and drummer Ben Smith.[11] After a tour in 1998, long-time guitarist and keyboardist Leese left the band, later joining the solo band of Paul Rodgers. Ann and Nancy Wilson began touring in 1999 for the first time without a backing band.[12] In 2002, a new lineup of Heart was introduced featuring returning members Olson and Smith, as well as new bassist Mike Inez and keyboardist Tom Kellock.[13] The following year, Olson and Kellock were replaced in the Heart touring lineup by Gilby Clarke and Darian Sahanaja, respectively.[14]

Sahanaja remained for Heart's first studio album in eleven years, Jupiters Darling, which also featured Clarke's replacement Craig Bartock.[15] Debbie Shair replaced Sahanaja after the album's release.[16] Ric Markmann became Heart's new bassist in 2005,[17] after Inez's former band Alice in Chains reformed.[18] Markmann left the touring lineup in 2009, introducing the band to his eventual replacement Kristian Attard,[19] although he would later work with the band in the studio for Red Velvet Car and Fanatic.[20][21] Dan Rothchild took over on bass in 2012.[22] Chris Joyner replaced Shair in 2014.[23] During late 2016, 2017 and 2018, Heart was on hiatus after an incident in which Ann Wilson's husband Dean Wetter was arrested for assaulting Nancy Wilson's children outside the venue in which the sisters were performing.[24]

2019 onwards

In February 2019, it was announced that Heart had reformed for a new concert tour.[25] The lineup for the tour includes returning guitarist Craig Bartock and former drummer Denny Fongheiser, plus new members Ryan Waters on guitar, Andy Stoller on bass and keyboardist Dan Walker.[26]

Members

Current

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Ann Wilson	1973–present	lead and backing vocals flute acoustic guitar autoharp occasional piano	all Heart releases
	Nancy Wilson	1974–1995 1998–present	rhythm guitar mandolin harmonica autoharp backing and lead vocals
	Denny Fongheiser	1993–1995 2019–present	drums percussion	The Road Home (1995)
	Craig Bartock	2003–present	lead guitar banjo backing vocals	all Heart releases from Jupiters Darling (2004) onwards, except Fanatic (2012)
	Ryan Waters	2019–present	lead and rhythm guitars backing vocals	none as yet
	Andy Stoller		bass backing vocals
	Dan Walker		keyboards accordion backing vocals

Former

Image	Name	Years active	Instruments	Release contributions
	Steve Fossen	1973–1982	bass backing vocals occasional percussion	all Heart releases from Dreamboat Annie (1975) to Private Audition (1982)
	Roger Fisher	1973–1980	lead and rhythm guitars lap steel guitar mandolin	all Heart releases from Dreamboat Annie (1975) to Dog & Butterfly (1978)
	Brian Johnstone	1973–1975	drums	none
	John Hannah		keyboards
	Howard Leese	1975–1998	keyboards lead and rhythm guitars mandolin percussion accordion backing vocals bass (1992)	all Heart releases from Dreamboat Annie (1975) to The Road Home (1995)
	Michael Derosier	1975–1982	drums percussion	all Heart releases from Dreamboat Annie (1975) to Private Audition (1982)
	Denny Carmassi	1982–1993		all Heart releases from Passionworks (1983) to Desire Walks On (1993)
	Mark Andes	1982–1992	bass backing vocals occasional acoustic guitar	all Heart releases from Passionworks (1983) to Rock the House Live! (1991)
	Fernando Saunders	1993–1995	bass backing vocals	The Road Home (1995)
	Frank Cox	1995–1998	lead guitar backing vocals	"Strong, Strong Wind" (1998)
	Scott Olson	1995–1998 2002–2003	guitar (lead 2002–03, rhythm 1995–98) lap steel guitar backing vocals	Alive in Seattle (2003)
	Ben Smith	1995–1998 2002–2019	drums percussion	all Heart releases from Alive in Seattle (2003) to Live in Atlantic City (2019)
	Jon Bayless	1995–1998	bass	none
	David Grosman	1998–2002	bass	"Strong, Strong Wind" (1998)
	Paul McInnes	1998–2002	drums percussion	"Strong, Strong Wind" (1998)
	Kevin Costello	1998–2002	keyboards backing vocals	"Strong, Strong Wind" (1998)
	Jeff Russell	1998–2002	lead guitar backing vocals	none
	Mike Inez	2002–2005	bass occasional percussion	Alive in Seattle (2003) Jupiters Darling (2004) Live in Atlantic City (2019)
	Tom Kellock	2002–2003	keyboards	Alive in Seattle (2003)
	Darian Sahanaja	2003–2004 2007	keyboards percussion backing vocals	Jupiters Darling (2004) Dreamboat Annie Live (2007)
	Gilby Clarke	2003	lead and rhythm guitars	none
	Debbie Shair	2004–2014 (touring only)	keyboards percussion accordion backing vocals	Dreamboat Annie Live (2007) Night at Sky Church (2010) Fanatic Live from Caesar's Colosseum (2014) Home for the Holidays (2014) Live in Atlantic City (2019)
	Ric Markmann	2005–2009	bass	Dreamboat Annie Live (2007) Red Velvet Car (2010) Fanatic (2012)
	Kristian Attard	2009–2012 (touring only)		Night at Sky Church (2010)
	Dan Rothchild	2012–2019	bass backing vocals	all Heart releases from Fanatic Live from Caesar's Colosseum (2014) to Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2016)
	Chris Joyner	2014–2019	keyboards rhythm guitar	Beautiful Broken (2016) Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2016)

Timeline of members

Lineups

Period	Members	Releases
Early 1973 – mid-1974	Ann Wilson – lead vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Roger Fisher – lead guitar Steve Fossen – bass, backing vocals Brian Johnstone – drums John Hannah – keyboards	none
Mid-1974 – early 1975	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson –rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Roger Fisher – lead guitar Steve Fossen – bass, backing vocals Brian Johnstone – drums John Hannah – keyboards
Summer 1975 – October 1979	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Roger Fisher – lead guitar Steve Fossen – bass, backing vocals Michael Derosier – drums, percussion Howard Leese – keyboards, lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals	Dreamboat Annie (1975) Little Queen (1977) Magazine (1977) Dog & Butterfly (1978)
October 1979 – early 1982	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Howard Leese – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Steve Fossen – bass, backing vocals Michael Derosier – drums, percussion	Bébé le Strange (1980) Greatest Hits/Live (1980) Private Audition (1982)
1982–1992	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Howard Leese – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Mark Andes – bass, backing vocals Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion	Passionworks (1983) Heart (1985) Bad Animals (1987) Brigade (1990) Rock the House Live! (1991)
1992–1993	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – lead and rhythm guitar, harmonica, vocals Howard Leese – bass, lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion	Desire Walks On (1993)
1993–1995	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Howard Leese – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Fernando Saunders – bass, backing vocals Denny Fongheiser – drums, percussion	The Road Home (1995)
1995–1998	Ann Wilson – lead vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Frank Cox – lead guitar, backing vocals Scott Olson – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jon Bayless – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Howard Leese – keyboards, lead guitar, backing vocals	none
1998	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Frank Cox – lead guitar, backing vocals David Grosman – bass Paul McInnes – drums, percussion Kevin Costello – keyboards, backing vocals	"Strong, Strong Wind" (1998)
1999–2002	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Jeff Russell – lead guitar, backing vocals David Grosman – bass Paul McInnes – drums, percussion Kevin Costello – keyboards, backing vocals	none
April 2002 – March 2003	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Scott Olson – lead guitar, backing vocals Mike Inez – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Tom Kellock – keyboards	Alive in Seattle (2003)
March – August 2003	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Gilby Clarke – lead guitar, backing vocals Mike Inez – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Darian Sahanaja – keyboards, backing vocals	none
2003–2004	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Mike Inez – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Darian Sahanaja – keyboards, backing vocals	Jupiters Darling (2004)
2004–2005	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Mike Inez – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Debbie Shair – keyboards, backing vocals	Live in Atlantic City (2019)
2005–2009	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Ric Markmann – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Debbie Shair – keyboards, backing vocals	Dreamboat Annie Live (2007) Red Velvet Car (2010) (does not feature Bartock or Shair) Fanatic (2012) (does not feature Bartock or Shair)
2009–2012	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Kristian Attard – bass Ben Smith – drums, percussion Debbie Shair – keyboards, backing vocals	Night at Sky Church (2010)
2012–2014	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Dan Rotchild – bass, backing vocals Ben Smith – drums, percussion Debbie Shair – keyboards, backing vocals	Fanatic Live from Caesars Colosseum (2014) Home for the Holidays (2014)
2014–2019	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Dan Rotchild – bass, backing vocals Ben Smith – drums, percussion Chris Joyner – keyboards, rhythm and lead guitar	Beautiful Broken (2016) Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2016)
February 2019 – present	Ann Wilson – vocals, flute, rhythm guitar, piano Nancy Wilson – rhythm and lead guitar, harmonica, vocals Craig Bartock – lead guitar, backing vocals Ryan Waters – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals Andy Stoller – bass, backing vocals Denny Fongheiser – drums, percussion Dan Walker – keyboards, backing vocals	none as yet

References

1. Shindler, Merrill (July 28, 1977). "Wilson Sisters Talk Heart to Heart". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
2. Oliver, Derek (September 18, 2013). "Heart: "We were has-beens until bands like Pearl Jam stuck up for us"". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
3. "Pop Encyclopedia - Heart". Canoe.com. December 1, 2004. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
4. Ankeny, Jason. "Heart: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
5. Zaleski, Annie (February 14, 2015). "That Time the Wilson Sisters Took Control of Heart With 'Bebe Le Strange'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
6. Sheff, David (March 31, 1980). "Rock's Wilson Sisters Kissed Off the Fisher Brothers, but Heart's Beat Goes on". People. Time Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
7. Llewellyn, Siân (June 19, 2017). "Sister Act: The Story Of Heart". Classic Rock. TeamRock. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
8. Locey, Bill (June 24, 1993). "Mark Andes' Little Brother Has First Date: Veteran rocker is back for another go-around with a new group at stop-the-dump benefit concert". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
9. Bowling, David (February 13, 2011). "Music Review: Heart – Desire Walks On". Blogcritics.org. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
10. "The Road Home - Heart: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
11. "Heart Featuring Ann Wilson to Launch Summer Tour". Mitch Schneider Organization. June 4, 1998. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
12. Hay, Carla (May 29, 1999). "VH1 Marks Women's Impact: Countdown Salutes Rock's Most Influential Artists" (Scan). Billboard. Vol. 111 no. 22. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. p. 94. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
13. "Former Alice In Chains Bassist To Tour With Heart During The Summer". Blabbermouth.net. April 2, 2002. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
14. "Former Alice In Chains Bassist And Ex-Guns N' Roses Guitarist To Hit The Road With Heart". Blabbermouth.net. June 4, 2003. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
15. Jurek, Thom. "Jupiters Darling - Heart: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
16. Moser, Margaret (September 3, 2004). "Definitely Famous: Heart's Nancy Wilson, no-pole rock & roll". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
17. "Ben Smith Biography". Ben Smith Music Company. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
18. "It's Official: Alice In Chains Is Back!". Blabbermouth.net. February 21, 2006. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
19. "Kristian Attard: Heart, Meghan Trainor Bassist: How I Got the Gig: S1 E7". YouTube. March 10, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
20. "Red Velvet Car - Heart: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
21. "Fanatic - Heart: Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
22. Aberback, Brian (November 28, 2016). "Englewood native Dan Rothchild joins Heart's Wilson sisters on new DVD". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
23. "Chris Joyner". Roadcase Royale. August 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2017.
24. Newman, Jason (April 10, 2017). "Heart: Can Ann and Nancy Wilson Go on After Family Assault?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
25. Kreps, Daniel (February 11, 2019). "Heart Reunite for All-Star 'Love Alive' Summer Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
26. "About Heart". Heart. Retrieved July 11, 2019.

External links

• Heart official website