Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

Nancy Wilson Walked Out on Led Zeppelin

jimmy page nancy wilson

Nancy Wilson tells us about discovering Led Zeppelin—from walking out on their opening set for 5th Dimension to eventually hearing them at the right place at the right time.


Before they hit it big, Heart found themselves ripping club gigs, where they earned the nickname “Little Led Zeppelin.” It’s a moniker that stuck as the band carried the torch first lit by their heroes for decades to come. If you’ve ever seen the Kennedy Center video of Heart covering “Stairway to Heaven” for Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, you know how bright that fire burns.

After covering Nancy Wilson on an earlier episode of 100 Guitarists, we knew we had to invite her to join us on our Jimmy Page episode! She tells us about discovering Led Zeppelin—from walking out on their opening set for 5th Dimension to eventually hearing them at the right place at the right time—and shares her favorite songs, what it was like meeting Jimmy for the first time, and then what it was like to play for him at the Kennedy Center.

On our current listening segment, we’re talking about releases from guitarists Niwel Tsumbu and drummer Nate Smith.

This episode is sponsored by Gibson.

Nile Rodgers brings the rhythm at Bonnaroo 2018.

Photo by Chris Kies

How the rhythm-playing hitmaker behind Chic—and our columnist—learned to love pop music, and why maybe you should, too.

When Nile Rodgers speaks, we should listen. His seminal work with his own band, Chic, as well as Sister Sledge, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, David Bowie, and Daft Punk, has made him a legend. He also filmed an entertaining Rig Rundown with PG just last year.

Read MoreShow less

The Milwaukee-based “guitarist’s guitarist” doles out decades of midwest wisdom on this episode of Wong Notes.

Read MoreShow less

John Petrucci, St. Vincent, James Valentine, Steve Lukather, Tosin Abasi, Cory Wong, Jason Richardson, Fluff, and more are donating instruments for contributors, and contributions are being accepted via this LINK.

Read MoreShow less

Guest Picker - Ariel Posen

The past year was full of new sounds and discoveries. Ariel Posen and Jeremy Jacobs join the PGteam to highlight what popped out to them over the last 12 months.

Read MoreShow less