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The heart had to have “zones of refuge” after a family attack

Details surrounding Heart’s family drama have emerged, including that Ann and Nancy Wilson insisted on separate “sanctuary zones” during the ordeal.

It was 2016 when Ann’s husband, Dean Wetter, was involved in an argument with Nancy’s teenage sons. Reportedly angry that the boys had let Ann’s dogs off their tour bus, Wetter punched one of the teens and put his hands around the other’s throat. He later pleaded guilty to assault, but the incident divided the Wilson sisters.

A recently published story by The Washington Post Details about how serious things were getting. Although Heart continued their tour in 2016, the women insisted on “sanctuary zones” to keep them – and their respective families – away from each other backstage. Heart was a house divided, with the post noting that Ann and Nancy had “separate dressing rooms, separate makeup artists, separate managers, separate warehouses.” The “sanctuary zones” were even included in the band’s contracts, making the agreement legally binding.

How did Heart get over her family drama?

Heart toured again in 2019, but tensions between the sisters reportedly continued. Both women pursued solo projects in the following years, but got together again in 2023.

“I love being in the band Heart,” Nancy explained, detailing why she wanted the group to return. “It’s what me and Ann built together. And it’s a beautiful machine. A large metal horse that attracts a lot of attention. Ann Wilson or Nancy Wilson are breaking up – not nearly as many people are interested or coming out to see that because it’s not Heart. So, I mean, I don’t care about the chance to do “Heart” again, whatever the static excitement might be on the outskirts, on the periphery of it all. I just want to do the heart thing.”

READ MORE: Herz is ready to put the “family drama” behind her as the tour begins

The band recently kicked off their 2024 Tour, marking their first extended tour in five years. The Wilsons are, by all accounts, doing well again. Above all, the “refuge zones” have disappeared.

“Unnecessary,” Ann remarked post. “It Was unnecessary,” Nancy agreed. “Having a camp here, a camp over there.”

Wetter still accompanies Ann on tour, but reportedly spends much of his time on her bus or watching the show from behind the soundboard. When contacting the post When it comes to the sisters’ relationship, Wetter was brief.

“I don’t want to be involved in manipulating or being a part of a fairytale relationship,” he said. “If they want to talk to each other, they can.”

Heart albums rated

This list of Heart albums ranked from worst to best wasn’t easy to put together because, unlike many long-running groups, the band never made a bad record.

Gallery photo credit: Annie Zaleski