Stolen Rolling Stones Guitar In 1972 Resurfaces

In May, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art proudly announced the acquisition of a major collection of 500 guitars. But questions have now surfaced about the origin of one high-profile instrument — a 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard, which may have been stolen decades ago.

From the Stones to the Shadows

The Les Paul, famously played by Keith Richards during the Rolling Stones’ 1964 Ed Sullivan Show debut, was one of several instruments reported missing during the 1971 recording of Exile on Main St. The band had set up at Villa Nellcôte in the south of France, where a robbery allegedly linked to local drug dealers resulted in the theft of nine of Richards’ guitars, Bill Wyman’s bass, and a saxophone owned by Bobby Keys.

Mick Taylor Claims Ownership

Now, Marlies Damming, manager for former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, claims the Les Paul actually belonged to Taylor — not Richards — at the time it went missing. Taylor reportedly bought the guitar from Richards in 1967 before joining John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, and later used it during his tenure with the Stones, including their infamous 1969 Altamont Speedway concert.

“There are numerous photos of Mick Taylor playing this Les Paul, as it was his main guitar until it disappeared,” Damming explained. “The interesting thing about these vintage Les Pauls is that they are renowned for their flaming, which is unique, like a fingerprint.”

Still No Answers

A source told Page Six that Taylor has never been compensated for the loss and is puzzled about how the guitar ended up in the Met’s hands. The instrument has an even richer history — Jimmy Page also used it during his session days and Eric Clapton at a 1966 Cream gig.