Ann Wilson celebrates one of her hometown's most beloved bands with her latest release, a cover of Alice in Chain's "Rooster."

The Heart lead singer's celebration of the classic grunge track was recorded in 2020 for the MoPOP Founders Award ceremony. The video she premiered this week was also produced for the ceremony but never released until now.

"I wanted to remain true to the songs as much as possible, but I wanted to make it my own," Wilson told the Seattle Times of the cover.

"Before I knew what form the MoPOP thing was gonna take with the live performances, I made a video for 'Rooster' that was really dark. They decided not to use it because they wanted it to be a bunch of live performances."

Wilson also included the "Rooster" cover on the B-side of her Sawheat 8 EP, which is available now. You can watch the music video via the player above.

The original version of "Rooster" was a Top 10 hit for Alice In Chains in 1993.

Written by AIC guitarist Jerry Cantrell, the song's title is a reference to his father's childhood nickname. The lyrics explore the psychological trauma Jerry Cantrell Sr. endured while serving in the Vietnam War.

Ann and her sister Nancy were early supporters of the grunge scene in Seattle in the late-'80s and early-'90s, and were quick to offer helping hands to acts like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and Pearl Jam.

Mel Taylor

About Mel Taylor