R O G E R F I S H E R
LEGENDARY GUITARIST & SONGWRITER FOR
'H E A R T'
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH SURPRISE GUEST
MIKE FISHER
Seattle, Washington
native ROGER FISHER was the hard driving electric fury that established HEART
as a rock and roll powerhouse in the 70’s. Originally known as Hocus Pocus,
Heart was formed by guitarist Roger Fisher, bassist Steve Fossen, and Roger’s
brother Mike Fisher who became the band’s manager. They met Ann Wilson at one
of the bands gigs. Soon thereafter, Roger, Mike, Steve and Ann Wilson moved to
Canada. Heart was officially formed in 1973 with their new songstress and
songwriter Ann Wilson. The following year guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and
sister, Nancy Wilson joined the band.
With the help of
producer Mike Flicker and session guitarist/keyboardist Howard Leese (who
became a full- time member of Heart in 1975), the band recorded a demo tape. Heart’s
debut album Dreamboat Annie was subsequently recorded for Mushroom Records in
Vancouver, Canada. The seductive album cover featured a bare shouldered Ann and
Nancy leaning up against each other.
The singles, “Magic
Man” and “Dreamboat Annie” quickly gained notoriety over Canadian airwaves.
Dreamboat Annie was released in the U.S. on Valentine’s Day 1976. “Magic Man”
became the band’s first Top 10 hit. “Crazy On You” reached #35, and the single,
“Dreamboat Annie” reach #42 in the U.S. on Billboard’s Hot 100. The album sold
over 1 million copies and became a mainstay on AOR radio stations worldwide.
Heart became instantly
identifiable as a rock phenomenon. A band fronted by two beautiful and
multi-talented women, backed by hard rock virtuosos. It was that very
combination which gave the band its true identity. Brothers Roger and Mike
Fisher became romantically involved with Sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson, and
“Magic Man” was written about Mike’s torrid love affair with Ann.
After the success of
Dreamboat Annie, Heart left Mushroom Records due to a publicity stunt that
stated the sisters were actually lesbian lovers. The group signed with Portrait
Records and later released the album Little Queen in 1977. The album featured,
“Barracuda” a tune that would become recognized as Heart’s signature song.
Roger Fisher’s pivotal hard rock thrusting intro to “Barracuda” will forever be
glorified in rock and roll history. Ann Wilson penned the tune out of sheer
anger over Mushroom’s lesbian publicity stunt. Roger Fisher was a co-writer on
“Barracuda” and on many other tracks on Little Queen. “Barracuda” reached #11
on Billboard’s Hot 100. Another preeminent arrangement on the album was Roger
Fisher’s co-written masterpiece titled, “Love Alive.”
In 1978, Heart released
Dog and Butterfly on Portrait Records. The album spent 36 weeks on the charts
and peaked at #17 on Billboard’s 200 -highest selling albums. “Straight On” was
the first song released from the album reaching #15 on the charts. The title
track, “Dog & Butterfly” reached #34 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Dog &
Butterfly spawned several profound arrangements including, “Minstral Wind” an
incredible rock measure co-written by Roger Fisher.
In 1979, Roger’s
romance with Nancy Wilson ended. Later that year, Roger Fisher was voted out of
the band. Mike Fisher also left the band after breaking his relationship with
Ann Wilson. Heart lost their rock and roll backbone when Roger Fisher was asked
to leave the band.
Roger’s songwriting and
iconic guitar riffs have been used in numerous TV commercials, TV shows, Guitar
Hero (3 songs), and in several movies, including Charlie’s Angels and Shrek 3.
Other artists have covered his material, including Eminem. His timeless anthem
guitar intro to Barracuda is frequently used as the lead in for America’s
number one rated radio talk show, Rush Limbaugh. Tony Robbins refers to
Barracuda as part of the turning point in his life. It was also controversially
featured by Republican presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, John
McCain and Sarah Palin in the 2008 election. The original line-up of Heart was
inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2013.
Roger Fisher’s latest
release is album one – ALL TOLD – of a four-album package entitled ONE VISION,
with brother Mike, aka Magic Man.
'ALL TOLD'
the latest
album
by Roger Fisher
& the Human Tribe
Available
at
amazon.com
For more
information about Roger Fisher and upcoming tour dates visit www.rogerfisher.com
Or visit …
Roger’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Rog4Real/
And Roger’s
Twitter page at RogerFisher@rrrog
RAY SHASHO INTERVIEWS
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And don’t forget to purchase a copy of my book entitled Check the
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a great week everybody!
