Original Members of Heart to reunite this month for Synergia Northwest 2010

http://synergianorthwest.com/

By Greg Roth / SMI

Former Heart guitarist Roger Fisher, drummer Michael Derosier, bassist Steve Fossen and producer/ guitarist Howard Leese have not shared the stage in 30 years. That is all about to change on Saturday, May 15th, as the four founding members of one of Seattle's most famous home grown products, Heart, reunite for Synergia Northwest 2010.

Backed by no less than a 46 piece orchestra, Fossen, Fisher,  Derosier, Leese and powerhouse vocalist Somar Macek will join Alan White (Yes / Plastic Ono Band) and other artists such as Tracy Bonham, Geoffery Castle and a lot more.

Synergia Northwest 2010 is a benefit concert to aid Northwest Youth Music Education. The concert will take place on Saturday, May 15, at 7:30pm.  Tickets are on sale now at
TICKETMASTER.COM.

The Heart Trifecta...

Fossen, Fisher and Derosier have played and continue to play together in various capacities. Back in October of 2009, the power trio contributed their vocational skills to an electric benefit show "Play it Forward" to raise money for music education.

Of course, one of the biggest highlights of the evening was the highly anticipated “Heart Reunion,” or shall we say, partial reunion. Fisher, Fossen and Derosier rocked Heart classics “Magic Man”, “Barracuda” and “Crazy on You." Vocalist Macek, of the defunct Heart tribute band “Straight On,” handled Ann Wilson’s vocal parts with professional skill and precision, brilliantly channeling Wilson’s passion, style and soul throughout.

The missing link...

Howard Leese was somewhat of a link from the Heart of the 70s to the Heart of the 80s. After Fisher, Derosier and Fossen left the group, Leese continued on with the Wilson sisters for many years. The end of the 70's ushered in changes in the way records were produced. With the changes from analog to digital recording technology and the advent of video, rock music became more slick, polished and manufactured.

Artistic expression and eclectic styles and textures gave way to anthemic and over-produced "arena rock." As original members departed the group, Heart seemed to morph from a band that was organic, multi- faceted and multi-dimensional in the 70's into a corporate hit-making machine in the 80's.

Times were indeed a-changin' for the music biz. In order for a group to survive as a viable entity, they had to adjust their sound to get radio and video airplay and meet the market demand of the time. In other words, Heart did what they had to do to stay relevant.

Their finest work...

No one can deny the amazing talent and tenacity of the Wilson sisters. From a business perspective, they were able transition successfully from the 70s to the 80s using the Heart moniker. That said, Dog and Butterfly, Little Queen, Dreamboat Annie and Magazine is the group's signature work to date. Those records still stand up as some of the finest crafted rock albums ever made.

Along with Ann and Nancy Wilson, those records had a common thread: the men that made the music magic- Roger Fisher, Steve Fossen, Michael Derosier and Howard Leese. Without them, the current version of Heart is more of a brand as opposed to a band. Ann and Nancy may have been the Heart but Fisher, Fossen, Derosier and Leese were the band's soul.

Having Leese join the rest of his former mates on stage brings fans one step closer to the real deal and a taste of what could possibly be in the future. An authentic reunion is what the group's long time fans have been yearning for. Ann and Nancy, how about it? The Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and your fans await you...straight on.

SMI Examiner had the opportunity to chat with Roger Fisher back in October of 2009. Fisher discussed what it was like to play with his friends and former "Heart mates" that night, as well as the music that the band made while the trio was with the group back in the 70's.(Our apologies for the audio quality on the video it was loud in the joint that night. That's rock n' roll.)

You may also be interested in reading...

A rock n' roll night to remember: Local legends and musicians brought joy to the masses

Local Licks: former members of 'Heart' & longtime 'Yes' drummer Alan White highlight musical weekend

Local rock music legends 'Play it Forward' for music education and awareness