Heart frontwoman Ann Wilson has been performing the first shows of her band’s 2025 Royal Flush Tour while sitting in a wheelchair, which has caused some concern with fans. Wilson underwent cancer treatment during the last year, which forced Heart to postpone a series of 2024 concerts, but the singer has revealed that her lack of mobility on stage has nothing to do with her recent illness.
Videos by American Songwriter
In a new episode of her After Dinner Thinks with Ann Wilson podcast, Ann explained, “I think some people thought that I was in a wheelchair because of cancer, which I just kicked it’s a– and I’m nice and clear now. It’s not about cancer. It’s about me being a klutz and missing a step and falling into a parking lot and busting my elbow in three places, and then having to have it pinned back together with screws and all that kind of stuff.”
Wilson’s podcast co-host Criss Cain then note that the accident occurred just five days before Heart kicked off its tour.
Ann added, “The timing [was awful].”
Wilson Discusses Her Decision to Perform in a Wheelchair
Wilson noted that besides her elbow, she’s “perfectly fine.” She then went on to talk about how the injury is affecting her when she performs.
“I don’t have the use of my left arm right now,” the 74-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer said. “So it’s hard to navigate when you just have one hand and your other whole arm is in a sling. … You don’t have the same balance. So I had to get used to that. And singing on stage, I really think that the pain level is still way too high for me to take [my arm] out of the sling.”
She continued, “So I chose to sit, because then I can just concentrate on singing and not on keeping my balance and having somebody out there catching me when I reel to the side.”
Ann also revealed that people have offered ideas ways she might look cooler while she continues to perform sitting down.
“I’ve gotten so many suggestions, like, ‘Make it look like a throne,’” she shared.
Wilson also discussed how some people might have a negative perception about her using a wheelchair onstage.
“I think it’s looked on as some kind of an admission of vulnerability,” she said. “And we have to look at the person and go, ‘Aw, that’s too bad,’ and bring negativity into it. It doesn’t have to be that way.”
She added, “No, it’s a great tool. And I’ll be up and out of it after a while.”
Wilson Commented About Her Other Recent Health Challenges
Ann pointed out that the elbow injury is the third major health issue she’s dealt with recently.
“First I had my knees done, then I had cancer, now I have the elbow,” she said. “So that’s gonna be it.”
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2024, Wilson underwent chemotherapy treatment that she’s reported has been successful.
Heart’s 2025 Tour Plans
As previously reported, Heart’s 2025 Royal Flush Tour features 24 shows spread across the U.S. and Canada. The trek kicked off February 28 in Las Vegas and runs through an April 16 concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Heart also has a June 16 performance lined up at the Wolf Trap venue on Vienna, Virginia.
Most of the concerts will feature a special opening act. Squeeze, Cheap Trick, and Lucinda Williams are scheduled to lend support at select shows. Heart also will play several gigs without an opener.
In other news, the band has announced a new late-spring/early-summer U.S. tour dubbed “An Evening with Heart.” The 18-date trek will feature the rock legends playing two sets at each show. The outing gets under way on May 31 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and runs through a June 28 concert in Hollywood, California.
Tickets for the newly announced tour dates go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 7, at 10 a.m. local time. Pre-sale tickets are available now.
Heart’s 2025 itinerary also includes an August 27 performance at the Great Allentown Fair in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.