The ceremony, which honors the most performed songs in the performance rights organization's repertory -- this year, Ryan Tedder and Jesse McCartney's “Bleeding Love," as sung by Leona Lewis, took top honors -- united many notables around banquet tables at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, all of whom hooted and huzzahed when Ann busted out her trademark, good-as-Robert-Plant runs during an acoustic version of Heart's “Magic Man."
This wasn't really the place to ponder the still remarkably slight presence of women in hard rock, which is a major reason for the relative lack of recognition the Wilson sisters have received. It's no insult to Hall of Fame inductees Bob Seger or even the great Queen to note that Heart had as many hits as those artists did, and remain as influential. And it's not irrelevant to wonder if America's discomfort with women growing older also factors -- yes, Nancy Wilson has spent time tending to her family with Cameron Crowe, and yes, Ann (who has two children herself) has matured into a plus-sized sexy mama, but these adult realities hardly diminish the duo's power onstage, as proven by the mini-set they performed with current Heart guitarist Craig Bartock.
So, kudos to ASCAP for recognizing some of my hometown's finest. (Having Alice in Chains guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell introduce them was a sweet touch.) Heart's big moment topped an evening in which the songwriter's collaborative art was highlighted in many different ways.
