AceShowbiz - Ann Wilson has recently delved deeply into poetry and prose, describing herself as a lyricist who is passionate about writing. At 75, the iconic Heart singer is channeling this creative energy into new music that reflects her personal life story, which is also the focus of an upcoming documentary.

As she spoke with Rolling Stone, Wilson was just days away from the premiere of Ann Wilson - In My Voice and mere hours before a special screening at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Following the documentary’s debut on May 11, she plans to embark on a nine-city tour featuring screenings and live Q&A sessions with director Barbara Hall. This tour will span from Seattle to Boston. Later in the fall, Wilson and her band Tripsitter will launch a North American tour slated to conclude in October.

Asked about returning to life on the road, Wilson expressed her enthusiasm without hesitation. “I love it. I’m addicted to it, to be honest, and that’s where I feel the most alive—when I’m onstage. That’s where I can truly express myself without worry,” she said.

Although Ann Wilson is best known for her decades-long collaboration with her sister Nancy in the band Heart, the documentary highlights her individual journey. It covers her upbringing in Seattle and her evolution as one of rock’s most renowned vocalists and songwriters. Told in her own words, the film draws from a rich archive of personal home videos, photographs, and journals. It also revisits the early years when the Wilson sisters were dubbed “Little Led Zeppelin.” The documentary features interviews with bandmates, family members, and notable artists such as Chappell Roan and Paul Stanley of Kiss.

Wilson acknowledged the challenge people face in separating her identity from the band Heart. “You can’t blame people because it’s been my life’s work,” she explained. “But this film offers a chance to see me apart from Heart, apart from music—even just the personal experiences and journeys I’ve undergone as an older woman.”

Included in the documentary’s soundtrack is the song “Nothing But Love,” co-written by Wilson and Burt Bacharach in the 1990s. The song had never been released before. Wilson shared, “I’ve always liked it, but it didn’t fit the 1990s music scene. It’s very soulful and feels natural now. I love singing it and hope it lifts people.”

While Ann Wilson stars in the documentary, her sister Nancy chose not to participate. Wilson smiled and said Nancy “has her own stories to tell, in her own voice.” Reflecting on their shared history, she noted, “People really embraced the idea of us as the core of the band, so it was interesting when we wanted to create separately. That was a significant part of my journey.”

In the male-dominated rock scene of the 1970s, the Wilson sisters faced unique challenges. Wilson recalled, “You could work hard and achieve something great, but then get knocked down quickly by the men around you. They could make you feel silly for even trying.” Despite this, they were fortunate to have supportive people. She also recognized other women artists who had to rebel fiercely just to get noticed.

Asked if the documentary changed how she views her own life, Wilson said, “I was surprised by how funny and cheerful I was when I was younger. Now, I’m more serious about life—not sad, but philosophical.”

She explained this shift came with life’s demands: “Growing, aging, falling in love, having children—these things require your attention. When you’re younger, you think life is just wonderful without much thought, but as time goes on, you face challenges that make you focus. That’s helped me mature.”

In July 2024, Wilson publicly revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment, which led to postponing the remaining dates of Heart’s North American tour. By September, she announced she had completed chemotherapy and was ready to return to performing. Shortly after, she suffered a severe arm injury, breaking it in three places after a fall. The film captures her resilient comeback during Heart’s Royal Flush Tour last year, where she performed in a wheelchair and without her wig.

Chappell Roan remarked in the documentary, “That’s so rockstar—her saying, ‘I have a broken arm, but I’m going onstage and ripping off my wig.’ To me, that’s punk.”

Wilson reflected on her health journey: “I went through a serious health challenge with cancer and came through it clear. I feel fabulous now, probably two years out from treatment. I continue regular CAT scans every few months to ensure everything’s okay. I feel really good.”

Wilson remains optimistic about the future of music and the next generation of artists. She praised Chappell Roan and Lucy Dacus, both guests on her podcast After Dinner Thinks, which she co-hosts with Criss Cain. “I see young women who know exactly where they’re going. They’re still early in their careers but already at amazing places. I can only imagine their paths when they’re 40 or 50. They have incredible potential,” she said.