A guitar stolen from the Rolling Stones more than 50 years ago has appeared in a collection recently acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The instrument in question is a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst, which, at the time of the theft, belonged to former guitarist Mick Taylor, who had purchased it from Keith Richards in 1967.
At the time of the theft, the guitar was already a part of musical history, having been played by Keith Richards himself during the Rolling Stones’ debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, and later by Mick Taylor during the infamous Altamont Free Concert in December 1969. Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page are also said to have played it.
However, the guitar’s location had remained a mystery since 1971, after it was stolen during the recording sessions for the album “Exile on Main St.” at Villa Nellcôte on the French Riviera.
According to the story, the robbery occurred in broad daylight while the Stones were watching television. The robbery was reportedly carried out by Marseille drug dealers to whom Keith Richards allegedly owed money.
