In a shocking display of crime targeting American cultural icons, a legendary rock band had irreplaceable instruments stolen right before their performance.
The brazen theft of vintage instruments valued for their historical significance highlights the growing disregard for America’s musical heritage and private property.
The band is now offering a reward while continuing their nationwide tour despite this devastating loss.
Heart’s summer “Royal Flush Tour,” which began on May 31 in Atlantic City, was marred before it even started when thieves targeted the band at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Two precious instruments vanished from the venue – a custom-built purple sparkle baritone Telecaster belonging to Nancy Wilson and a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin played by band member Paul Moak for over 25 years.
The theft strikes at the heart of American music history. Heart, led by sisters Nancy and Ann Wilson, represents classic American rock with hits like “Barracuda” and “Magic Man.”
In 2023, the band received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy, cementing its legacy in American music culture.
Nancy expressed devastation over the loss, emphasizing these are not just ordinary instruments but irreplaceable pieces of musical heritage.
The band is offering a reward with “no questions asked” for information leading to the return of these treasured instruments, showing their desperation to recover these pieces of American musical history.
Local authorities have mobilized to find the stolen instruments. Atlantic City police are investigating the crime, and Guitar Center staff in the area have been alerted to watch for anyone attempting to sell these distinctive items.
At the same time, the Hard Rock Atlantic City is cooperating with law enforcement, though many are questioning how such a theft could occur at a supposedly secure venue.
Despite this setback, Heart demonstrates true American resilience by continuing their nationwide tour.
The Royal Flush Tour is scheduled to run through August 30, ending in Bethel, New York.
This marks the first tour in five years for the Wilson sisters, who reunited after Ann successfully completed surgery and preventative chemotherapy.
The theft of these instruments represents more than just a financial loss – it is an attack on American musical heritage.
These instruments have witnessed decades of rock history and helped create the soundtrack for generations of Americans.
Their theft is particularly egregious considering the Wilson sisters’ dedication to preserving classic American rock music in an era increasingly dominated by computerized sounds and foreign influences.
Heart fans across the country have rallied behind the band, sharing information about the stolen instruments on social media and keeping watch at pawn shops and online marketplaces.
