Heart's Ann Wilson looks back on jam sessions in Seattle home with Chris Cornell and Layne Staley

This week on the Broken Record podcast, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Ann Wilson of Heart talks with host Leah Rose about her lasting success with the group and as a solo singer, Heart’s current world tour, and much more.

LISTEN NOW: Broken Record | Heart's Ann Wilson

During the wide-ranging conversation, Ann also explained how back in the ‘90s in Seattle, she would strategically place guitars around her home when having parties with the sole purpose of encouraging high-level jam sessions with guests like late singers Layne Staley of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden ’s Chris Cornell , and more.

"Well, I was no fool,” says Ann. “I would always have, in my living room, I'd have guitars laying around casually, you know, and a piano and a couple of little amps. Usually, it would happen after somebody's concert and everyone would show up for the concert, and then whoever was free afterward would show up at my house. They'd all come in and start drinking beers and smoking ciggi's and sitting up on my counters and then pretty soon somebody would start to play… I remember one time John Waite was there, Layne Staley, the Pearl Jam guys, Artis the Spoonman , Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil .”

“Beautiful... He's like one of those naturals,” she says of Cornell. “He comes from a musical family too. Not only did I know Chris, I knew his sister Maggie, who's a great singer too, So, it was easy as pie to sing with Chris."

“As time goes along, you meet just about everybody,” she continues. “They usually end up just being people, but that doesn't mean they're disappointing. Met a lot of cool people and some who yes, we're just folks, you know. You think they're gonna be so grand and everything but then they're like, 'Hey, how are ya!?'"

Listen to the full episode with Heart 's Ann Wilson -- now playing on Audacy -- and follow along with the Broken Record podcast for more conversations with hosts Rick Rubin , Malcolm Gladwell , Bruce Headlam , and Justin Richmond as they speak with the musicians you love to discuss their lives, inspiration, and craft.

Listen to The Heart of Ann Wilson + more on the free Audacy app