Les Paul Guitar Stolen From The Rolling Stones Over Fifty Years Ago Found At New York’s Metropolitan Museum Of Art

A Les Paul guitar stolen from The Rolling Stones in the ’70s has been found in a collection of 500 guitars acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard, previously owned by Mick Taylor and famously played by Keith Richards during the Stones’ historic Ed Sullivan Show appearance in 1964, had long been considered lost after being stolen during the recording sessions for 1972’s Exile on Main St. Taylor’s business manager, Marlies Damming, confirmed the guitar’s identity, noting its unique “flaming” body pattern. “There are numerous photos of Mick Taylor playing this Les Paul, as it was his main guitar until it disappeared,” said Dramming. “The interesting thing about these vintage Les Pauls is that they are renowned for their flaming, which is unique, like a fingerprint.” The Met recently announced a significant gift of instruments from the golden age of American guitarmaking, including guitars that once belonged to music legends like Roy Rogers and Mississippi John Hurt, among others. (Consequence of Sound)