Heart Finally Gets Star On Walk Of Fame

Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson became the 2,481st star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday. In their speeches the two thanked their fans and many of the people who had helped them along the way, but, said Nancy, "The biggest thanks goes to our children, who have been so patient with us as we travel far and wide to get all this work done. Music is a gypsy's job, but it's a good job if you can get it." She also said how delighted they were to be "taking some credit for the long, hard work" they've done.

In her speech, Heart's Nancy Wilson on being honored with a Walk of Fame Star: "We're so delighted to be here today taking some credit. Credit for the long, hard work we do to bring a few good songs into the world. Songs are truly the messengers of love, and it's really amazing [beep]in' cool when the message gets through."

Heart's Ann Wilson on how it feels to be among their peers on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: "It feels really cool, really, really cool. And really like a reward system for a lotta, lotta lotta, lotta, lotta work."

The Wilson sisters received a pair of introductory speeches before getting their star. The first came from actress Rita Wilson, who recalled playing air guitar to Heart's music and imagining herself "as the missing Wilson in Heart."  The other was by bassist Mike Inez of Alice in Chains -- a onetime member of Heart, who was flanked by two other Alice in Chains members and apologized for the third, singer-guitarist Jerry Cantrell, being too ill to make it down. Inez complimented the two on their "humanness" and their coolness.

Actress Rita Wilson on growing up with Heart's music: "My girlfriends and I imagined ourselves -- and, of course, I imagined myself as the missing Wilson in Heart. We sung along to Heart, we played air guitar with them, and so did our guys, our 'magic men.' But there were enough bands for guys to relate to, Heart gave a generation of women a voice."

Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez on how the Wilson sisters have gone about their work: "I believe Ann and Nancy have always retained an elegance that can only come from from their natural need to retain their humanness. It's been their life work to translate that humanness into the sacred old form of communication that we call music. You know, making music."