4 Edward

The Zoo Crew is spinning "4 Edward" by Nancy Wilson, a heartfelt instrumental tribute to the legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, from her album of the same name. This track, released in 2021, showcases Wilson's deep admiration for Van Halen, whom she considered a dear friend. In an X post on October 6, 2021, Wilson announced an extended version titled "4 Edward With Love," released to mark the one-year anniversary of Van Halen's passing, urging fans to reflect on his immense talent. The song itself is a poignant acoustic piece, with Wilson's guitar work channeling Van Halen's innovative style while adding her own emotional depth, as noted in a Guitar World article from October 5, 2021. Interestingly, Wilson revealed in interviews that the track was a personal project, born out of her grief and respect for Van Halen, capturing a raw, unfiltered moment of musical mourning.

Another layer of trivia comes from Wilson's connection to Van Halen through their shared Seattle music scene ties. As shared in a 2018 Guerrilla Candy interview, Wilson’s high school friend and former Heart road manager, Kelly Curtis, also managed Mother Love Bone, the band that preceded Pearl Jam. When Mother Love Bone lost their singer Andy Wood, Wilson helped the remaining members, including Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard, by providing support that indirectly aided the formation of Pearl Jam, a band Van Halen later influenced. This story underscores Wilson's role as a connector in the rock world, with "4 Edward" serving as a musical bridge to her friend’s legacy. Fans on Heartmongers Facebook group often discuss how Wilson’s tribute resonates with their own memories of Van Halen’s electrifying performances.

Nancy Wilson, born on March 16, 1954, in San Francisco, California, began her musical journey in Bellevue, Washington, where she was raised. Her passion for music ignited as a teenager, sparked by watching The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964, an event she and her sister Ann recalled as life-changing in a Wikipedia biography. This moment inspired the sisters to pursue rock music, with Nancy picking up the guitar and Ann focusing on vocals. By her teens, Nancy was playing in local groups like The Viewpoints, a four-part harmony vocal group, performing at venues like a folk festival on Vashon Island in 1967. Her first guitar, a Kent acoustic bought by her sister Ann, became her tool for honing a style that blended flamenco, classical, and hard rock elements, as noted by AllMusic.

Wilson’s career took off when she joined her sister Ann in the band Heart during college in the early 1970s. Heart, initially based in Vancouver, Canada, became one of the first hard rock bands fronted by women to achieve major commercial success, selling over 35 million records worldwide. Their debut album, Dreamboat Annie (1975), featured hits like "Magic Man" and "Crazy on You," co-written by the sisters, establishing Nancy as a formidable guitarist. Her innovative playing earned her rank as the eighth-greatest female guitarist by Gibson in 2016. Beyond Heart, Wilson explored solo work, including "4 Edward," and formed side projects like Roadcase Royale in 2016, showcasing her versatility.

For more about Nancy Wilson, visit her official website or follow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can connect on the Heartmongers Facebook group, a vibrant community celebrating Heart’s music, or explore Heart’s official site for updates. Additional fan resources include Heart Fans, a dedicated website with news and forums for Zoo Freaks and beyond.