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Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson refers to two notable American musicians: Nancy Sue Wilson (1937–2018), a jazz, pop, and soul singer, and Nancy Lamoureux Wilson (born 1954), a rock musician best known as guitarist and vocalist for Heart.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nancy Wilson is a name shared by two notable American musicians: Nancy Sue Wilson (1937–2018), a jazz, pop, and soul singer, and Nancy Lamoureux Wilson (born 1954), a rock musician best known as guitarist and vocalist for Heart. The two are often distinguished by genre or by their full birth names.

Nancy Sue Wilson

Nancy Sue Wilson was a prominent American vocalist known for jazz, pop, and soul. She released more than 70 albums, won three Grammy Awards, and also hosted NPR's Jazz Profiles.

Nancy Lamoureux Wilson

Nancy Lamoureux Wilson is an American rock musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She is best known for her work with Heart and for contributing lead vocals and guitar to the band.

Distinguishing the two musicians

The name Nancy Wilson commonly refers to either a jazz singer born in 1937 or a rock musician born in 1954. They are different people with distinct careers and musical styles.

Key facts

  • Nancy Sue Wilson was an American jazz, pop, and soul singer born in Chillicothe, Ohio, active from the mid-1950s to the early 2010s.
  • She recorded more than 70 albums and won three Grammy Awards.
  • Nancy Lamoureux Wilson was born in San Francisco, California, in 1954 and is a guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
  • The younger Nancy Wilson is best known as a member of Heart, a band she joined in the 1970s.
  • Nancy Wilson of Heart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2013.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nancy Wilson?
Nancy Wilson can refer to either Nancy Sue Wilson, the jazz and pop singer, or Nancy Lamoureux Wilson, the rock guitarist and vocalist from Heart.
What was Nancy Sue Wilson known for?
She was known for her jazz, pop, and soul singing, especially "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am" and "Guess Who I Saw Today."
How many Grammy Awards did Nancy Sue Wilson win?
She won three Grammy Awards.
What band is Nancy Lamoureux Wilson associated with?
She is best known as a member of Heart.
When was Nancy Lamoureux Wilson born?
She was born on March 16, 1954.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wilson_(jazz_singer)
    Supports: Nancy Sue Wilson's birth and death dates, career span, recording output, and Grammy Awards.
  2. National Endowment for the Arts — https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/nancy-wilson
    Supports: Nancy Sue Wilson's jazz career, recordings, awards, and NPR Jazz Profiles hosting.
  3. Wikipedia — https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wilson
    Supports: Nancy Sue Wilson's overview as a jazz, pop, and soul singer with awards and long career.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wilson_(rock_musician)
    Supports: Nancy Lamoureux Wilson's birth date, birthplace, genres, occupation, and association with Heart.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0933896/
    Supports: Nancy Lamoureux Wilson's association with Heart and some performance credits.