Rock N Roll Hall Of Famer Bassist Steve Fossen formerly of Heart, now with Heart by Heart with fellow Heart Musician Micheal Derosier.

Empire Extreme got to talk with Steve about his days with Heart and his time now with Heart by Heart.

EE: How was it like working on those iconic albums with Heart?

SF: When we did Dreamboat Annie, we had no idea, we thought it was good but never knew how popular it was going to be. We played with as much feelings that we could have.

EE: Yeah the songs that were on that album were just so huge and amazing.

SF: Ya, they are still huge today. The Captain Marvel movie has Crazy on You in it, and she wears a Heart T-Shirt in the movie. Classic radio all over the world still play those albums, we know that because we get royalty statements from all around the world.

EE: Just as iconic as the sisters voices in Heart, was those killer Bass lines, did you always want to put that much emphasis on the bass with those albums?

SF: Ever since I picked up the bass, I’ve always wanted to play with that kind of passion. I tried to live up to bass players that came before me. I’ve always had the right basses that I used.

EE: Do you have a favorite album or song from that time with Heart?

SF: All the albums, I really liked and each have songs that represent my feelings and playing, but would have to say DreamBoat Annie, it was a new experience and our first album. It was discovering yourself. One of my favorite songs would have to be Magic Man.

EE: How was it like being inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame?

SF: That was a fantastic experience, they flew us out to L.A. We get a hotel and suite, and someone is giving you drinks and candy and gifts. And it had been a while since myself, and Michael, Howard Leese and Roger Fisher, I felt that the world may have forgotten about us and our contribution to those albums.The Hall Of Fame set the record straight saying that without the contributions of all of us, Heart wouldn’t be who they became.

EE: How was it like sharing the stage with everyone again?

SF: It had been many years, we did have a rehearsal the day before. We got the butterfly’s out, so when we got on stage we were good. The rehearsal could have been recorded, it was so great and everyone didn’t miss a beat.

EE: How did the idea of doing Heart by Heart with Michael come together?

SF: I have been trying for years with Michael, Howard and Roger for years about doing something together. They weren’t interested and we could never find a singer. I met Summer back in 2008, I knew she was a good singer and had sang Heart covers with the band she was with at the time, Then we started a friendship that turned into a romance and then we started playing stuff together doing dinner parties and bistros and wine bars. We got offered some bigger shows, so we tried to get a band, we couldn’t get Roger or Howard so we a good friend Randy Hanson to play guitar, and Michael to play drums. We started playing in Washington, and then all over the states. We always said if we are going to do this, we are going to do it right and as faithful to the original.

EE: Is there a tour that you are looking to do with Heart by Heart?

SF: Yeah we are talking to a few agents now with to pair us up with other acts. Maybe some cruise ships.

It was amazing and great to talk to Steve. Heart has always been a huge band for me. It’s musicians like Steve and Michael that work hard and keep the music alive. If you get a chance to checkout Heart by Heart I would recommend it.

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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