Bright Light Girls - Stevie, Ann & Nancy Wilson
 

I thought some might like to read this.


The story behind Bright Light Girl – by Ann Wilson

From “The Official Newsletter of The Heart Fan Club – Number 3, 1982

Hello Heart People.

So Many of you are asking “what’s the story on Bright Light Girl? Who is she and why is she so bright?” Well, to begin with, fanz, you’re right in presuming this song is written about a real woman. It was… but not only one. Read On.

Once, long ago, in the fall of 1981, there was a little rock orchestra called (you know them) Heart. They journeyed far from their kingdom of Seattle to a very famous and magical place called Los Angeles to make a new record good enough to present to all their faithful, beloved fanz.

Now, Los Angeles is a very large and wonderful place full of sunshine, swimming pools and studios where many rock princes and princesses have their castles. Ann, Nancy, Susan and all the handsome Heart me hadn’t been there a week when they decided it would be fun to play for the people of Los Angeles.

Manager Ken Kinnear and Ann decided that the ‘Whiskey A Go Go’ (a club on Sunset Strip with a very famous history) would be the best place for Heart to play… so off they went. With the help of some of L.A.’s famous royal D.J.’s (like Jim Ladd, a friend of Heart) the show was announced.

Before they knew it, hundreds of people – among them many stars – bought tickets to see our heroes at “the Whiskey” … and two wonderful, unforgettable nights were off and rolling.

It so happens that princess Stevie Nicks was there on opening night. All long blonde curls, sparkling beads on chiffon and velvet she was, and she beamed with delight at the music she was hearing. After the show, Stevie was shown by Kelly Curtis (more than happy to do the job) backstage to greet her old friends, Ann and Nancy.

With many people crowding around it was more than hard to talk. Ann and Stevie couldn’t get a word in to each other without having to pose for another excited photographer.

It seemed EVERYONE was gawking! Finally, Ann invited Stevie up to Beverly Hills to the castle she was renting. Sue, who lived there too, and Nancy (who likes a good party (especially if there’s a chance to jam)) came along.

Once they got there, Ann left Stevie, Nancy and Sue for a moment to go upstairs and change out of her rather hot stage clothes. Moments late as she pulled on a clean T-shirt, she heard a wonderful sound from downstairs.

MUSIC! Ann crept silently to the first landing and listened. What she heard was beautiful… fantastic… unusual. Further down the stairs Ann stole until she stood staring into the living room.

There were Nancy, Stevie, and Sue… All sunshine blonde – Nancy on guitar, Sue on piano, Stevie singing. It sounded incredible! They were laughing and having great fun harmonizing on old songs as Ann watched. It was like there was a light bathing the room from out of nowhere.

“It’s like they’re glowing,” she thought, “They’re like bright lights…bright light girls!” They looked like they should have been a group!

“Come on! We need a fourth part!” They called.

“But I’m not blonde!” laughed Ann.

“It doesn’t matter…” said Nancy, “you’re a girl!”

She was and they sang all night.

Before that night was out, our 3 heroines got an idea, and a few breakfasts by the pool later, there was a new song. Bless womankind (and I hope the men like it to!)

Luv,

Ann

Wow - thanks for posting!!!!

Interstingly, another reference to La Nicks glowing - perhaps penumbral. Cool!

Oh, fukc me. Why didn't anyone record this?

Sounds like "Bright Lit Girls" would have been a more appropriate title. :p Anyway, it's weird that Stevie, Ann and Nancy are considered old friends, yet they have never really collaborated on anything or even run in the same social circles. I don't even think I've seen a picture of them together. :shrug:

I know, right? I would love to hear those voices together...especially stripped down like that.
I know. I wonder just how close they are...I wish Ann and Nancy were as much a part of Stevie's musical life as Tom Petty is. could you imagine an album of standards by the 3...a la Trio (Dolly, Emmylou and Linda). I've got a couple of pictures of them together.

Well, how about Sextet: Dolly, Emmylou, Linda, Ann, Nancy and Stevie . Good lawd... I need to go change my underwear now. :eek:

Thank you for the article. Here's a fuzzy picture of Stevie with Ann and Nancy:

Ho****, I just blew my excitement fuse. :eek:

I have a boot of "What About Love," with La Nicks and, I believe, Grace 'WE WON THE WAR" Slick :eek: I cannot post it now, but will when I get home, unless someone beats me to the punch :cool:

At first, I didn't notice that it was written by Ann Wilson because she was writing in third person. Is this Sue person who was playing piano famous?

Here are the lyrics to the song:

I know a woman
Never knew no one like her
She said "The world's made up of angels
Beautiful and fair."

She would give you anything
Give it all away
Just for one half moment
Believing love would stay

You're a bright light girl
Shine into his world
How you know your love is coming true
You're a bright light girl
In a disbelieving world
Now someone believes as much as you
And now you know he really loves you too

She opened up for trouble
Saw him come on strong
But when he could not meet her eyes
She thought she'd done it wrong
Each time love abused her
She would take the shame
Each time love would lose her
She would take the blame

You never lost your magic vision
Always in your sight
Special intuition
Telling you it's gonna be alright

Oh, yeah, you're a bright light girl
Shine into this world
Now you know your love is coming true

You're a bright light girl
In a disbelieving world
Now someone believes as much as you
And how somebody really loves you too

Shine on
Shine on girl

Some more Stevie/Heart pics, all from '81 I believe (exept for the last one ofcourse)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...evie/027-2.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...e/252-Copy.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...Stevie/392.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../set3-03-4.jpg

Thank you Sanne! I've never seen this one b4. I can always count on you to come up with that precious, rare photo!

Actually I am sure that first pic was 1978 because I saw Heart for the first time that year, and Ann had that stage outfit on.
The second pic looks like it was was taken in 1981 or 82.