Rare Instruments Stolen from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Before Heart’s Concert

Atlantic City, New Jersey — Two priceless instruments were stolen from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Friday, the day before the rock band Heart was scheduled to perform. The stolen items include a custom-made purple sparkle baritone Telecaster guitar owned by Nancy Wilson, and a 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin belonging to guitarist Paul Moak, who has used the mandolin for more than 25 years. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, founding members of Heart, announced the theft on Tuesday, describing the instruments as extensions of their musical souls and offering a no-questions-asked reward for their safe return. Police are actively investigating the theft, but details on security footage or how the theft occurred have not been released. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement but declined further comment due to the ongoing investigation. Heart’s concert took place Saturday night in the casino’s 5,000-seat Etess Arena. The band started its current U.S. tour that evening, with Ann Wilson performing without a wheelchair for the first time since recovering from a winter injury. Heart, known for classic rock hits like “Barracuda” and “Magic Man,” stressed the irreplaceable value of the stolen instruments and encouraged anyone with information to come forward.