Q&A - "Thoughts On Direction Of Heart's Music"

This is my second question. It just came to me today. I can tell you are a positive and upbeat person and doubt you would down anyone else. I am curious, though, as to how you liked the direction Heart's music went into after you and your brother left the band. Do you think there would have been songs like Alone, These Dreams, and What About Love, etc. had the two of you remained involved with Heart?
Thanks, 

Tracey H.

RF: Another excellent question Tracey, thank you.

I was baffled. I couldn’t believe they could take such a great riff that I had contributed to the song Bebe Le Strange, and lose its intensity and energy the way they did. Then they went on to abandon their own songwriting in favor of songwriting that was, in my opinion, below them. It was obvious why they made those decisions, and understandable - but not forgivable, from my artistic sense. They lost a lot of followers at that point, and had to scramble to dig up a “winning hand” again. To me, it was sad, but I always supported them publicly, encouraging people to buy their latest albums.

Any major fork in the road like what was taken when Mike and I left Heart would yield completely different outcomes. It’s not up to me to speculate whether those songs would have happened or not. I do believe that Heart’s popularity wouldn’t have plummeted, but only increased had we not left, but that makes me sound arrogant.

I think the specific chemistry of Ann and Nance and my composing, catalyzed by Mike Fisher’s insight, vision, and high standard of quality, would have yielded amazing music. I believe we would have broken new ground in music. I believe we could have been hugely successful - way beyond anything Heart ever achieved. I know… easy for me to say :-)

The proof of that statement could be in the response to Mike’s and my new album. We’ll have to watch and see how it’s received, because it IS groundbreaking.

Q&A - "Cover of Little Queen Album"

'Little Queen' is one of several Classic Rock Albums that I have framed and on my wall. On the front cover, in the background on the left - is Roger on one knee, under the white horse's head? Just curious. Hard to tell.

-Ashley P.

RF: Yes, that’s me on one knee. What a fun photo session in Elysian Park in Los Angeles.
 

Q&A - "Heart's Sex Appeal"

Hi Roger,

Thanks for taking questions. It's really cool of you to allow fans the opportunity to share their connection to Heart's music with a creator of it.

I hope I can articulate my question. It's a little heady. Some background on my thought process: Until about three months ago, I hadn't thought about the 70's since the 70's. But through some crazy mid life funk, I'm obsessively drawn to my musical formations right now. I've been not just listening to, but studying bands that shaped me musically with a renewed passion, trying to understand why I connect so deeply. In the past couple of months, I've been totally obsessed in quick secession with: Jimmy Page's riffs (and face), George Harrison's spiritual lyrics, Elton John's spin on Americana, The Eagles harmonies, and everything about Exile on Main Street. So, this week seems to be Heart's turn. Dream Boat Annie was my first album. I was 9 years old. My connection is still crazy strong, but unlike the other bands, I can't quite understand the power of that music.

The obvious answer would be that it's a female rock band. But that's not it. It became a female rock band later, which is all fine and good. But that early incarnation of Heart was something even more unique. It was somehow the very essence of sexuality. Not the act of sex, nothing slutty or vulgar. On the contrary, where much of society at that time was representing the male/female relationship as an opportunity to be as selfish as you want, like the cat calls in a Charlie perfume ad, there was a true respect for the beauty and hardship of relationships in the Heart music. There was feminism in there, but it wasn't pissed, there was a pounding male backbone, but it wasn't objectifying or belittling. It was supportive. I just watched a video of you and Nancy playing the introduction to Love Alive. It is musical porn. You seem to become one through your instruments.

My question part (I know, finally) is: does this make any sense? Have others observed this massive musical interpretation of Adam and Eve? If so, do you understand it? Did you understand it as it was happening? Why was 1976 the cultural time for this to occur? It's never been recaptured in a global or even national musical group since. Maybe we're all too jaded now. Maybe we realize it's a pipe dream. Maybe the reality of relationship is what destroyed your band as much as the fantasy created it?

Sincerely, Lisa S.

RF:
Lisa,

Thanks so much for your words and question, you are obviously a deep-thinking and insightful person.

This deep connection you refer to - sexually based - is an almost invisible, but absolutely necessary element that is part of the fabric of life. All plants, animals, and insects rely on this playfulness for their being. The Wilson sisters were both very “sexy,” in that they, like the Fisher brothers, were very gifted with the life force. That is part of what our union radiated with, and it was powerful enough to have people like you take notice.

The fact that that force was united with lyrics that reflected things that matter, in an intelligent manner, was what set Heart apart from so many other groups. There are a lot of people in this world, and all respond to different kinds of music. Heart appeals on many levels, so it enjoys longevity and appreciation on a very deep level.

Sexually-charged! Definitely! Thanks for feeling, hearing, and seeing us, Lisa.

You asked if we understood it as it was happening. I can only answer for myself: I knew I was consciously charging the music with energy, and I knew the chemistry between Nance and I was absolutely fantastic, but I didn’t know how rare it would turn out to be in hindsight, 40 years later. What we brought to the world was a rare and beautiful thing. Sylvan Song was composed originally by me - an attempt to win Nance’s Heart while learning how to play mandolin. When she added her part, the duet was very sweet, delightfully stirring, profoundly inspiring!

The band Heart had to split up when it did. Details that make that make sense will be in bro Mike’s and my autobiography, Bros.

Rog - May 4, 2015

Q&A - "I just felt like I needed to write and say thank you."

Dear Mr. Fisher,

I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you for the wonderful music you were so instrumental in creating in your time with Heart! I was 16 when Barracuda came out and I bought the Little Queen album back then and fell in love with so many of the songs.

RF: Thanks, I was very fortunate to have been in such a great band.
That position - of being exposed to good musicianship for the first time - is one whose influence is life-lasting, as I well know, having been raised on the Beatles.

Unfortunately, about a year ago, I had to leave my job as an engineer at Ford here in Michigan due to a rare condition that blinds me in either or both eyes. I never know until I open my eyes in the morning whether I'll see and it usually takes five weeks before I get my sight back. I will usually have 1 to 5 days of good vision before the whole thing starts again. Because of this, I have had a lot of "down" time (both literally and figuratively) in the last year and when I can see, I look for things to do on the computer. I heard a Heart song on the radio the other day and decided to look at some Youtube videos of some of those great songs and it occurred to me that I didn't know the name of Heart's main guitarist and found it was you! Since then, I have watched a lot of the interviews of you on the web and I especially love the Youtube video of you doing "Love Alive" acoustically.

RF: That was at Delta State University, where I was talking to students and staff in 2008. Pretty crude compared to the version of the song that will be on my new album, All Told.

From your interviews, I can tell you are truly a kind and thoughtful person!

RF: I view the position of a public figure as one of great responsibility, as we influence much more than many realize. To be a positive influence, one can't merely act a role, one must be that which inspires and uplifts, which is why I enjoy receiving messages like the one you sent today.

You also seem to be so joyful in your life. My favorite author, C.S. Lewis talked about how important it is to be joyful in one's outlook in life and one can just see it in your eyes that you are there.

RF: C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors as well. Think about the "pools of possibility" in Narnia. This pool will take you to this magical place; this other pool leads to another magical place, and on and on. We have the same capacity with our soul consciousness...to go anywhere. Knowing this through practice and accident, I manage to stay engulfed in the fascination of the wonder of it all, which is such a source of joy.

With global warming and the synergistic effect of several calamitous powers acting together, the possibility of great loss of life and grand-scale tragedy loom in our direct future. Your blindness brings to my mind the common denominator so many may soon face: hardship. I've felt personal hardship a few times in my life. The thing that always works to lift my spirits is the realization that we'll soon be out of this body, so, "what the fuss?" I know, easy for me to say, but all it takes is a half-second glimpse of who we are without a body, and wow! Life is so precious and beautiful whether or not we have arms; can see; or can walk. There are human conditions so incredibly deplorable and painful the only way through them is spirit-realization...what humanity seems to need above all.

To me, the only way to unite humanity is with a global foe that threatens us all to the point we have to help each other, practicing pure, simple decency and caring. No religion, government or set of laws has managed to achieve this. The opposite seems to be true: division. Sure, division, greed and hostility produce an evolution that brings many great things, but ultimately will fail. The earth's humanity have an opportunity to show we can unite, combine resources, weather the approaching storm and come through with integrity. Enter music: possibly the most catalytic, congealing force we know.

I guess I'm not sure exactly why I am writing as I don't believe I have ever in my life written someone well known like yourself. I think it is because my rediscovering your wonderful music after all these years has given me "joy" and seeing that the person who created this incredible music is such a wonderful joyful person who seems so at peace inside has temporarily pulled me out of the scary, uncertain place I've been in. I guess this may not make any sense, but for some reason, I just felt like I needed to write and say thank you.

RF: Thank you, John. A musician in my position can never fully grasp what it is we have brought to the world, but I'm very grateful to be in the position to add a smile to your day and lilt to your heart. I think you'll like the new album:-)

Q&A - "Mysterious Magic Man"

Hey Roger:

Why is it nearly impossible to find out anything current about your brother Michael Fisher, the ex-boyfriend of Ann Wilson of Heart on the internet?

RF: Simple. He's the Magic Man.

I've always been a big fan of your work; you have amazing talent and your experience is just the icing man.

RF: Thanks for your kind words, Dave. There are thousands of incredibly talented people who never get famous.

But I've got a question for you that's been buggin me for years... 
Seriously, I don't know, except that is exactly the way he wants it, at least up to now.

RF: Some Heart fans and followers have an inkling of the importance of the role Mike Fisher played in our lineup, hence your question. Until Mike chooses to come out and talk about the "ol' days," no one will really know. Fortunately for all of us, Mike is about to do just that, in the form of a dual-autobiography entitled, BROS. I decided to put all the work being done on my autobiography into something that is synergistically more interesting and profound.

Not only is his career after leaving Heart a mystery, but there's an absence of even a photo of him... Did someone blackball him, or maliciously have all information about him removed?

RF: Ah, the enigma. Mike co-produces our new album, All Told. It is a great album and can give one an idea of Mike's greatness and value in anything he chooses to become involved with. Thing is, he has never been attracted to fame. He loves to see those around him earn the glory and be featured. He enjoys pulling the strings from his veiled refuge.

This is very odd man, especially since he was apparently talented and liked enough to remain a permanent fixture of Heart's band throughout the 70's. There has to be more to this story, you know?

RF: There is so much more, and what an incredible story! I am proud and honored to be his brother, and I'll gladly state, as many who know him, there is a very good reason he's called the Magic Man.