Mick Taylor’s Long-Lost Les Paul Guitar Resurfaces in Metropolitan Museum Donation

A Legendary Guitar Reappears After Decades

An iconic piece of rock history, missing for over 50 years, has resurfaced as part of an anonymous donation of 500 guitars to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Page Six reports. The instrument in question is a 1959 Sunburst Les Paul, once owned by Mick Taylor, the legendary guitarist who played with The Rolling Stones from 1969 to 1975 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 1989.

The Nellcote Heist: A Theft That Shocked the Music World

The guitar was stolen during the infamous Nellcote Heist in September 1967. At the time, The Rolling Stones, including Mick Jagger, were in tax exile in the South of France, rehearsing at a rented villa for an upcoming tour. A gang of thieves targeted the property, making off with several items, including Taylor’s prized Les Paul, which had been sold to him by fellow Stones guitarist Keith Richards. Taylor never received compensation for the loss, and the guitar’s whereabouts remained a mystery for decades.

A Surprising Discovery at the Met

Taylor was stunned to learn that his long-lost guitar was among the 500 instruments recently donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. How it ended up in the collection remains unclear, leaving Taylor and his team puzzled. “I’m mystified as to how my property found its way into the Met’s collection,” Taylor remarked, reflecting on the unexpected rediscovery of his iconic instrument.

The Unique Fingerprint of a Vintage Les Paul

Marlies Damming, Taylor’s business manager and partner, who now resides in Holland, emphasized the guitar’s significance. “There are numerous photos of Mick Taylor playing this Les Paul, as it was his main guitar until it disappeared,” she said. “The interesting thing about these vintage Les Pauls from the late 1950s is that they are renowned for their flaming—a unique pattern in the wood, like a fingerprint.” This distinctive feature makes the guitar instantly recognizable to those familiar with its history.

5 FAQs About Mick Taylor’s Lost Les Paul

1. What is the Nellcote Heist?
The Nellcote Heist refers to a burglary in September 1967 at a villa in the South of France where The Rolling Stones were rehearsing. Thieves stole several items, including Mick Taylor’s 1959 Sunburst Les Paul guitar.

2. Why is the 1959 Les Paul so special?
The 1959 Les Paul is highly valued for its unique “flamed” maple top, which has a distinctive pattern, and its rich tone, making it a favorite among guitarists and collectors.

3. How did the guitar end up at the Metropolitan Museum of Art?
The guitar was part of an anonymous donation of 500 guitars to the Met. The exact journey of the guitar from the heist to the museum remains unknown.

Also Read: Michael Rockefeller’s Fate & MET’s New Wing

4. Was Mick Taylor compensated for the theft?
No, Taylor never received compensation for the stolen guitar, which added to the shock of its rediscovery decades later.

5. What happens next for the guitar?
It’s unclear whether Taylor will seek to reclaim the guitar or if it will remain part of the Met’s collection. The situation is still unfolding as Taylor and his team investigate.