Actress Melissa Gilbert has had a very full summer, including running her Modern Prairie apparel business, communing with deer, hanging with her grandkids, and returning to Vancouver to film season 13 of the Hallmark series “When Calls The Heart.”
The season was perfectly capped off with a Labor Day weekend concert, which Gilbert, 61, didn’t expect would have such a profound impact on her. On August 31, 2025, she shared on Instagram that seeing the band Heart live in concert the night before left her speechless.
Gilbert, who’s been in the entertainment industry since she was a kid starring on “Little House on the Prairie,” captioned the video she shared by writing, “Last night was a game changer! We were lucky to go to the best concert I think I’ve ever been to and I’ve been to a lot!”
After watching Heart — led by sisters Ann Wilson, 75, and Nancy Wilson, 71 — rock out at New York’s Bethel Woods Center, Gilbert was fired up and inspired to keep living her life to the fullest no matter her age.
Melissa Gilbert Says She’s Been a Heart Fan Since She Was 10
After sharing that friends gifted her front row tickets to the concert and a backstage meet-and-greet with the band, Gilbert shared in her post, “I barely have words today to describe how inspired, moved and exhausted I am today. They were absolutely incredible. I was moved to tears many times.”
Gilbert, who attended the concert with her husband, actor Timothy Busfield, continued, “They slayed it last night. I wish every single dumb dumb out there who discounts what women over 50 are capable of, could see these two in action.”
Heart had to postpone their 2024 tour when lead singer Ann was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo surgery and chemotherapy, per People. Forced to take a year off from performing, she was eager to get back on the road for their Royal Flush tour, with dates through the end of 2025.
Gilbert was amazed by Ann’s resilience and Nancy’s unending energy, telling her followers, “Nancy jumping, kicking and SQUATTING while playing guitar. And @annwilson a true warrior, cancer survivor, just belting out so many of their songs and they did some @ledzeppelin too!! The only band , to do Led Zeppelin, as brilliantly as Zepplin itself.”
“Every single musician in that band is stellar,” Gilbert continued. “We got to meet Nancy after and I was pretty tongue-tied. This band and their music have been a part of my life since I was 10 years old. It truly was a dream come true. If you get a chance you must go see these brilliant, brave, strong absolute bad asses. I am so incredibly inspired! So proud to be the age I am. We ladies over 50….we ROCK!! (Literally)”
Fans Were Thrilled Melissa Gilbert Got to Experience the Magic of Heart
Fans flooded Gilbert’s comment section, thrilled she got to see Heart live in concert. One wrote, “Awesomeness!! Bethel Woods is an amazing venue! HEART is a perfect band to see play there!!”
Another wrote, “They are the best!!!!! I grew up with their music and always identified with Nancy. Such a special person and their talent is infectious and their sisterly bond is so strong and special. I’m so happy that you got to see them. !!!!”
“Sooooo well said,” someone else commented. “Got to see them last month and was blown away. Love supporting all our Bad ass women out there.”
Even Nancy commented, “💪🏼❤️💪🏼 SO lovely to meet you guys last night!” Gilbert sweetly replied, “@nancywilson stop it. Now I’m crying again!”
