Hey You: Catching Up With Steve Fossen Founding Member & Bassist of Heart (INTERVIEW)

Music can soundtrack triumphs as much as it does failures. Despite what is going on in your world and the world around you, there is always music to fall back on to reach a level of zen that can’t be found anywhere else. When you mix this with an undying love for your instrument and the drive to create timeless art, you get Steve Fossen.

Fossen was the bassist and one of the founding members of Heart, one of the most iconic rock bands of all time led by sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson. From humble beginnings, Fossen built Heart on the premise of creating nothing less than music that will survive generations. He achieved this with flying colors as Heart found success both creatively and commercially, generating hit songs and nuanced albums that never repeat themselves. Fossen left the band in 1982, before their pop MTV heyday, but was a huge contributor to their more primal and influential albums including Dreamboat Annie, Little Queen, Dog and Butterfly, and Bébé le Strange. Fossen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 18, 2013 as a member of Heart.

Steve Fossen is still touring heavily with Heart By Heart, a band dedicated to the same mission Heart started with, bringing their songs to as many people as possible, along with Heart original drummer Mike DeRosier. Glide had the pleasure of speaking with Fossen about the early days of Heart, how he has evolved as a musician and his current touring life. 

Check out our full conversation below. 

Most people know your name as an integral member of Heart during their most important artistry years. However, you have been doing a lot of other things since you left the band in 1982. What are some of the things you have been involved with in the last few years that you’d like to share with our readers? 

The last few years I have been focused on growing the Heart By Heart live show audience and reaching around America and beyond. We believe in keeping the main thing “the main thing” and our live show is “the main thing.” We realize that certain Heart songs must be a staple of our presentation, however, we are always looking for ways to spice up the show with clever medleys, segues, and deep album cuts to feature our talented members. In the past few years, many venues have added the possibility of a video wall and projection. Heart By Heart has visuals featuring historic photos of Mike and I, Heart By Heart photos, logos, and videos for certain songs in our set.  

Somar and I are immersed in song creation and writing with our good friend, Lisa Nemzo. 

Aside from the last few years, there are many other decades to trace back on- what are some of the projects that you are most fond of that you’d like to share during earlier periods?

The only project I had as a young man was…  

October 1967 in our last year of High School, Roger Fisher and I started a band and when we shook hands we vowed to do what we’d been talking about since we met in 1963 and that was to create a band known worldwide. October 67-68 we were known as the Army, October 68-69 Whiteheart and October 1969 we named our band Heart. For the next 4 years, we took advantage of every opportunity presented and Heart became one of Seattle’s most well-known bands. Because of Roger’s and my relentless ambition and drive, many members came and went. In July of 1971, the two of us found ourselves with no band members. We put an ad in the paper for a singer, a drummer, and a guitar player. We ended up with two singers, a drummer, and a guitar player. One of the singers was Ann Wilson. One thing led to another and in April of  1972, Roger, Ann, and I found ourselves in Vancouver, BC. We found two Canadian musicians, over the next 2 years became one of the hottest acts in  British Columbia and consequently came to the attention of Mike Flicker and Mushroom Records. In 1975 we recorded and released Dreamboat Annie in Canada, early 1976 in the USA. 1977-78 we recorded more LPs and toured extensively. 

What were those early days of Heart like in terms of the continual touring and recording? That type of pace is almost unheard of these days. What kept you going and do you have any fond memories of that period in terms of particular shows, tours, or record sessions? 

During the recording of Dreamboat Annie, Heart was still playing nightclubs 4-6 nights a week. Sessions were planned out and carried out at any lull in the action. When we were becoming a nationally known act, promoting Dreamboat Annie in March to December of 1976, any time off was spent getting back to Can-Base Studio and recording the tracks for what was planned to be  Magazine. You strike while the iron is hot and there was nothing we would not do to further our career. When I think about those days, I remember with fondness all the shows, tours, and recording sessions. 

What Heart album that you played on are you most proud of and which are you the least fond of? 

I am proud of all our albums for different reasons. Dreamboat Annie had the most group participation, collaboration, and contributions. Private Audition had the least.  

What was the process like for putting together Café Authors and did any new freedoms come along with the new project?  

Mike Curley and I started writing and recording songs together and we called ourselves The Cafe Authors. Mike was the lead singer/guitar player and I  played bass and sang harmonies. We created tracks with percussion and other instrumentation for us to play along with. Occasionally we had a live drummer and guest musicians.  

What is the biggest difference between Café Authors and Heart? Is there a different approach to each project?  

Whereas Heart was an established band with producers, managers, record companies, etc. The Cafe Authors were Mike and I doing everything homegrown and low-tech. The process was fun and full of experimentation. Lacking polish, nonetheless heartfelt and honest. Personal demons drove a wedge and we both moved on.

What was your first show with Heart By Heart like? What classic song were you most excited to play again?  

Heart By Heart was started by Somar Macek and I in 2009. Somar and I met in February of 2008 and started a romantic relationship together that same year. We would play as a vocal and bass duo around her apartment and expand our repertoire for our own enjoyment and celebration of our love for each other. At family get-togethers and dinner parties with friends, Somar and I would play, the word got out and we started getting asked to play wine bistros, jam nights, private parties, and even weddings and memorial services for beloved acquaintances.

We searched for a name and Somar came up with Heart By Heart, which perfectly captured our thoughts and feelings for our project and each other. We were asked to open up for Dwight Yoakam in Anchorage, AK. We asked Mike Derosier and our good friend, Randy Hansen, to join us for this show. We rehearsed up a set and at the last minute, Dwight canceled the show. A few months later we were asked to play a benefit for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation where we raised a good amount of money and were seen by fans who recommended us to a local booking agent. We started to get bookings all around Washington State and through our website agents on the East Coast wanted us. One thing led to another and we have played all over the USA since then. I love the entire Heart catalog and enjoy playing live. We strive to do our best every time we perform.  

Of all the projects you’ve worked on, do you have a favorite song to perform in your catalog?  

I have a special affinity for “Magic Man”, “Crazy On You”, “Straight On” and “Barracuda”.  

How do you feel you’ve evolved as an artist the most since your early days? Do you think transitioning from one project to the next has affected your playing?  

When I was a young man, listening to the music I loved I delved into what I imagined were the qualities that went into music that lived on and on in the hearts and minds of humans. I have kept that basic premise throughout my entire career. Refining and honing all along.

What was it like the day you learned you would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?  

We were nominated two years in a row. I had dropped Somar off at work with the radio on and “Owner Of A Lonely Heart” by Yes was being played and because Alan White (drums) was our dear friend I was pleased to be listening. At the conclusion of the song, the DJ announced that the Rock and  Roll Hall of Fame had nominated Heart. I was so surprised and excited I practically drove off the road. I did not understand the nominating process and learned as much as I could. I of course received calls and made calls to friends and family sharing the news. From that day until the announcement of the inductees I was a nervous wreck. Learning we were not inductees that year was disappointing, however, just being nominated was a great honor.  It was wonderful being nominated again, this time I was much more composed. When I got the call we were going to be inducted I could barely speak. I managed to warble a thank you. From that moment forward I realized that our profession was recognizing and honoring the entire band and music that Roger and I dreamt of and vowed to bring to the world when we were 17  years old, forever enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  

What is the best way for fans to keep up with what you’re currently working on? 

https://www.heartbyheart.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HeartByHeartBand

Related Content

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

New to Glide

Keep up-to-date with Glide

Twitter