Rock Band Heart’s Instruments Filched from Hard Rock Atlantic City

Posted on: June 5, 2025, 11:08h. 

Last updated on: June 5, 2025, 11:30h.

Philip Conneller @casinoorgphilc Read More
Expertise: Gaming Business, Regulation, Tribal Gaming.
  • Suspect arrested but sold one instrument before capture
  • Heart calls instruments “extensions of our musical souls”
  • Reward offered for return of priceless stolen gear

The rock band Heart is offering a reward for information leading to the recovery of one of two “irreplaceable” instruments, which were stolen from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on Saturday.

Heart band, stolen instruments, Nancy Wilson guitar, Hard Rock Atlantic City
Nancy Wilson performing live with Heart, left, and right, her custom-made baritone Telecaster with distinctive hand-painted headstock, which is one of two instruments that were stolen on Saturday. (Image: Shutterstock/Nancy Wilson)

The band was in town to kick off their US tour at the Hard Rock, and the gear had been set up at the concert venue the day before. At some point on Saturday, the instruments were swiped by a thief.

Police said Wednesday that a 56-year-old suspect, Garfield Bennett, had been taken into custody. Bennett was spotted on video surveillance walking through the city trying to sell the stolen items, police said.

Unfortunately for the “These Dreams” rockers, by the time investigators caught up with him, the suspect had already sold one of the instruments and its whereabouts remain unknown.

Heavy Heart

The band said earlier this week that the missing instruments were a custom-built, purple-sparkle baritone Telecaster guitar with a hand-painted headstock made for band member Nancy Wilson, and a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin that band member Paul Moak has played for over 25 years. It’s unclear which of these is still missing.

Wilson said in a statement issued by the group earlier this week that the theft of the instruments had broken Heart’s hearts.

“These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they’re extensions of our musical souls,” Wilson explained. “We’re heartbroken, and we’re asking for their safe return — no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.”

Trailblazing Rockers

Fronted by Wilson and her sister, Ann, Heart formed in the early 1970s and rose to fame with hits like “Barracuda,” “Crazy on You,” and “Magic Man.” Known for blending hard rock, folk, and pop, the sisters were trailblazers for women in rock.

In the 1980s, Heart reinvented itself via a series of chart-topping arena-rock power ballads like “Alone” and “These Dreams.” The band has sold over 35 million records worldwide and in 2013 earned a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Anyone who can help reunite Heart with its instruments could be in for a reward and is urged to contact the band’s agent, Tony Moon, at tonymoon@me.com.