Devra Hall Levy told the Associated Press that Wilson died peacefully at her home in Pioneertown, California, on Dec. 13, following a long illness. Wilson was 81. When Nancy Wilson first came into prominence, several qualities marked her immediately, and they all spelled “passing sensation—she'll never last.”

Ann, the singer and older sister, and Nancy, the guitarist, were rocking a Seattle-area amphitheater with their rendition of “Stairway to Heaven” when everything went down on the tour bus.

Wilson has been lauded for her guitar playing, noted for its blending elements of flamenco and classical guitar styles with hard rock.