Heart’s Ann Wilson pays homage to 10 recently dead pop stars

Ann Wilson is best known for fronting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Heart, her dramatic,

banshee vocals powering timeless tracks such as “Barracuda,” “Crazy On You,” “Magic Man,” “Straight On,” “What About Love,” “Never,” “These Dreams,” and “Alone.” But her latest project shifts the focus off of herself and onto the long list of beloved musicians who have died recently: Wilson’s new album “Immortal” (out Sept. 14) pays homage to 10 artists who were influential to her, including Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, Tom Petty, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, Amy Winehouse, Glenn Frey of The Eagles, Lesley Gore, and George Michael.

You’ll hear a few of Wilson’s interpretations of these artists’ songs Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Stars Align Tour at Coral Sky Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach. The classic-rock triple header also features guitar god Jeff Beck and singer Paul Rodgers of Free, Bad Company, and post-Freddie Mercury Queen. Wilson talked to the Miami Herald about the concert, the making of “Immortal,” her feelings and memories about some of the musicians, and how it feels to still be rocking at age 68.

Well, a lot of these artists just all picked up and left their bodies within a short time of each other, and it seemed to me sort of like an exodus. I just wanted to do something to honor them, and a few of them were artists that really inspired me as I was learning how to do what I do. And I think a lot of their work is worthy of being passed down in a kind of oral tradition.

Whom were you closest to on your track list? I know Chris Cornell spoke at your induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. A: It would have been Chris — he was from the same city I was from, Seattle, and our paths crossed a lot up there. We played music together, we hung out together, we partied, and we went to a couple of friends’ memorials together. I mean, there were a lot of things over the years. So when he went, that was the thing that made me think about doing this record, too.