Heart Offers Reward After Irreplaceable Instruments Are Stolen in Atlantic City
Heart’s summer tour was supposed to be a celebration, a return to the stage for one of rock’s most influential bands. But just as Ann and Nancy Wilson prepared to open the first night of their An Evening With Heart tour in Atlantic City, two of the band’s most cherished instruments disappeared. Now, as the tour moves forward, the band is offering a reward and asking the public for help.
The theft happened last weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, sometime before the show. Among the missing gear is a custom purple sparkle baritone Telecaster made specifically for Nancy Wilson, complete with a hand-painted headstock. Also taken was a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin, an instrument played for more than 25 years by longtime collaborator Paul Moak. Neither piece is easily replaced (or really replaceable at all).
“These aren’t just tools of the trade,” Nancy Wilson said in a statement. “They’re extensions of our musical souls.” She added that the band is offering a reward for their return, no questions asked.
It’s the kind of theft that’s unfortunately not uncommon on tour, especially for high-profile artists where gear is moved frequently and security conditions vary from venue to venue. Even with precautions in place, instruments can be vulnerable, particularly the ones that carry the most personal meaning. Both the guitar and mandolin are closely tied to Heart’s live sound, to the arrangements that fans expect, and to the emotional energy of each performance. For artists and their performance rituals, the absence isn’t just technical since it also changes the chemistry onstage.
The timing adds another layer to the frustration. After decades of touring, recording, and redefining the role of women in rock, Heart is once again in the spotlight. In 2023, they were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, a nod to their impact as pioneers. The current tour is a tribute to that legacy, a way of reconnecting with fans and reminding the industry of what the Wilson sisters have built.
Details about the theft remain limited. No suspects have been named, and the band has not shared whether security footage has offered any leads. They’re now asking anyone with information to contact tour manager Tony Moon at [email protected].
Heart’s next show is set for June 4 at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, and the tour will continue as planned.
