Nancy Wilson Reveals Why She Once Walked Out On A Led Zeppelin Show

In 1969, long before Heart rose to fame, sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson attended a Seattle concert expecting to see the Fifth Dimension. However, the opening act, a relatively new band called Led Zeppelin, left an unforgettable impression. On the 100 Guitarists podcast, Nancy shared their wide-eyed reaction to Led Zeppelin’s electrifying performance.

“Jimmy [Page] had his violin bow going, doing his Echoplex magic—summoning the music out of the air,” Nancy recalled. But it wasn’t just Page’s mesmerizing guitar playing that caught their attention. Frontman Robert Plant’s bold stage presence left the young musicians blushing. “We were like, ‘Oh my God, the singer. He’s so suggestive.’ His shirt was wide open, jeans super low, and his moves were… well, shocking for us at the time.”

As teenagers in a suburban folk band, the sisters had never witnessed anything so overtly sensual. The final straw came when Plant sang about “squeezing my lemon,” prompting the Wilsons to leave mid-show. “We actually walked out on Led Zeppelin at the Green Lake Aqua Theatre,” Nancy admitted, still laughing at their reaction years later.

Becoming Fans of Led Zeppelin

Despite their initial shock, the Wilson sisters eventually fell in love with Led Zeppelin’s music. Nancy became particularly drawn to Page’s acoustic playing. “His style was so English folk—it had this Celtic, old-country vibe,” she explained. “It wasn’t just American folk; it was deeper, richer, and full of tasty modalities.”

A Full-Circle Moment

Years later, Heart became known for their powerful Zeppelin covers, often including them in live performances. Their most iconic moment came at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors, where Nancy and Ann delivered a stunning version of “Stairway to Heaven” as the surviving Zeppelin members watched in awe.

From shocked teenagers to lifelong fans, the Wilson sisters’ connection with Led Zeppelin came full circle, solidifying their place in rock history.