Heart’s Family Drama Required Them To Have “Sanctuary Zones”

Details of Heart’s internal strife have come to light, revealing that Ann and Nancy Wilson required separate “sanctuary zones” during their tour amid a family crisis.

In 2016, a major conflict arose when Ann’s husband, Dean Wetter, got into a confrontation with Nancy’s teenage sons. Allegedly incensed that the boys had let Ann’s dogs out of her tour bus, Wetter reportedly punched one of the teens and placed his hands around the other’s throat. He subsequently pled guilty to assault, but the incident caused a significant rift between the Wilson sisters.

A recent story from The Washington Post sheds light on the extent of the fallout. Although Heart continued their 2016 tour, Ann and Nancy demanded “sanctuary zones” to keep their families apart backstage. The Post described Heart as “a house divided,” with Ann and Nancy maintaining “separate dressing rooms, separate makeup artists, separate managers, separate camps.” These “sanctuary zones” were even included in the band’s contracts, making the arrangement legally binding.

How Heart Overcame Their Family Drama

The family drama had lasting effects on Heart’s dynamics. The band toured again in 2019, but tensions between the sisters persisted. Both pursued solo projects in the intervening years but ultimately reunited in 2023.

“I love being in the band Heart,” Nancy explained, discussing her desire for the group’s return. “It’s the thing me and Ann built together. And it’s a beautiful machine. A big metal horse, that gets a lot of attention. Ann Wilson or Nancy Wilson separate — not nearly as many people are interested or come out to see that, because it’s not Heart. So, I mean, the chance to do Heart again, despite, you know, whatever the static on the outskirts, the periphery of it all, I don’t care about. I just want to do the Heart thing.”

The band recently embarked on their 2024 tour, their first extended trek in five years. By all accounts, the Wilsons have reconciled, and the “sanctuary zones” are no longer in place.

“Unnecessary,” Ann remarked to the Post. Nancy concurred, saying, “To have a camp over here, a camp over there.”

Wetter still accompanies Ann on tour but spends much of his time on her bus or watching the show from behind the soundboard. When asked about the sisters’ relationship, Wetter was brief.

“I don’t want to be a part of manipulating some fairy tale relationship or being a part of it,” he stated. “If they want to talk to each other, they totally can.”