Rolling Stones Legend Fights To Reclaim Iconic “Burst” Gibson Les Paul Guitar

Back in May, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York announced it received a massive collection of 500 guitars. With experts sifting through the collection, they soon found themselves in possession of a 1959 “Burst” Gibson Les Paul. While tracking the history of the instrument, the former guitarist for the Rolling Stones, Mick Taylor, suggested that burglars stole the guitar from him back in 1971. But even with Taylor having fond memories of the instrument, the Met claimed he never owned the guitar. 

Videos by American Songwriter

While gaining the guitar back in May, the story of the instrument started back in 1971 when the Rolling Stones traveled to Southern France to work on their album Exile. With the band already making waves around the world, thieves decided to help themselves to eight guitars from where the group was staying. Although lost for years, the Met announced that it had the instrument in its possession, shocking Taylor. At least, he believed it was his. 

According to Taylor’s manager, Marlies Damming, “There are numerous photos of Mick Taylor playing this Les Paul, as it was his main guitar until it disappeared. The interesting thing about these vintage Les Pauls [from the late 1950s], is that they are renowned for their flaming … which is unique, like a fingerprint.” 

[RELATED: 3 Controversial Songs by The Rolling Stones That Some Fans Have Left in the Past—and Others Have Not]

Rolling Stones Used The Famed Guitar During ‘Ed Sullivan Show’ Performance

Reaching out to the Met to hopefully reunite with the lost guitar, it appeared the museum fell silent. Damming revealed, “It would appear that the Metropolitan Museum has not acknowledged receipt of messages from Taylor’s legal counsel, and they have not responded to his request for inspection of the guitar.”

Although not in contact with Taylor, the Met insisted the guitar came with a “well-documented history of ownership.” While the history of the instrument remained contested, Richards eventually bought it at a music store in London. Other musicians who supposedly owned it included John Bowen and Ken Lundgren. 

Circulating through auction houses over the past decades, Taylor never forgot the instrument or how he came about buying it. He recalled, “I met Ian Stewart, their roadie who also plays piano. I met him, and I told him I was looking for a Les Paul, because the other one had been stolen. And he said: ‘Well, we’ve got one for sale. Come to the studio and have a look at it.’”

With the Rolling Stones’ using the instrument during their first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, the legacy of the 1959 Gibson Les Paul continued to fascinate those within the music industry. 

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)