BackstageAxxess spoke with Ann Wilson of Heart on March 29th. She discussed her upcoming show in Niagara Falls, touring, and her forthcoming album Songs For The Living: Vol. 1. Check out the interview below.

Following a year-long successful solo tour, iconic vocalist Ann Wilson of Heart is spending the early part of 2018 recording her new solo release and debut album for BMG. Due out this summer (exact release date TBA) and with a working title of Songs For The Living: Vol. 1, Ann has teamed with original Heart producer Mike Flicker (Dreamboat Annie, Magazine, Little Queen, Dog And Butterfly and Bebe Le Strange, among others) for an album that will pay homage to musicians lost in the past few years.

"It's a project very dear to me--a collection of songs by artists who have departed in the last several years including Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, Tom Petty, Chris Cornell and Amy Winehouse to name a few," Ann explains. "I feel these souls have made a real, lasting contribution to the art of the popular song and to honor them is my deepest pleasure."

The album will feature some of the singer's favorite musicians, with the full track list to be announced in the coming weeks. With the recording still in progress in Los Angeles, the first three songs confirmed are Lesley Gore's "You Don't Own Me," Amy Winehouse's "Back To Black," and The Eagles' "Life In The Fast Lane" in honor of Glenn Frey.

"Once again I am pushing my limits as a singer and it is thrilling work," Ann says. "It's my way of showing gratitude for these amazing expressions in words and music. This record was made in the old school way... on an actual tape recorder, so the sound is vibrant, present and powerful. This sound will not just massage the listener's ego, it will stoke their heart and soul."

Following a handful of solo headlining tour dates this spring, Wison will join Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers for the Stars Align Tour, as the album is released. Kicking off July 18th in West Valley City, Utah, the tour stops in 19 cities across the US and Canada including Dallas, St. Louis, Chicago, Toronto and Nashville, before wrapping August 26th in Tampa. At these upcoming shows, Ann's fans can expect to hear an assortment of Heart hits, along with tracks from her solo career.

"I am thrilled to have been asked to perform on the Stars Align Tour with Jeff Beck and Paul Rodgers," shares Ann. "They are both long time favorites of mine! They are masters at their craft and it is an honor to share the stage this summer."

Ann Wilson of Heart's 2018 tour dates are listed below. Meanwhile, on March 15th, Ann will be among the artists performing at the Love Rocks NYC! benefit concert - presented by iconic fashion designer John Varvatos and NYC real estate broker Greg Williamson - for God's Love We Deliver, at the historic Beacon Theatre in NYC.

Headlining Dates:

April
5 - Niagara Falls, ON - Fallsview Casino
7 - Northfield, OH - Hard Rock Rocksino
8 - St. Charles, IL - Arcada Theatre

Stars Align tour dates:

July
18 - West Valley City, UT - Usana Amphitheatre
20 - Los Angeles, CA - Five Point Amphitheatre
22 - Chula Vista, CA - Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
24 - Houston, TX - Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
25 - Dallas, TX - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
28 - St. Louis, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
29 - Chicago, IL - Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
31 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre

August
1 - Toronto, ON - Budweiser Stage
3 - Boston, MA - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
4 - Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion
8 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
10 - Indianapolis, IN - Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center
12 - Holmdel, NJ - P.N.C. Bank Arts Center
14 - Wantagh, NY - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
17 - Nashville, TN - Nashville Municipal Auditorium
19 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
25 - West Palm Beach, FL - Coral Sky Amphitheatre
26 - Tampa, FL - MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

(Photo - Kimberly Adamis)