Mick Taylor’s Lost Guitar Resurfaces at the Met

Mick Taylor’s guitar, which went missing during the Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main St.” sessions back in 1971, has been found—at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

This iconic 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard disappeared from Villa Nellcôte on the Côte d’Azur more than fifty years ago, shrouded in mystery until the Met shared in May that it had received a notable donation of over 500 vintage guitars. Among them was Taylor’s famous instrument, which the museum described as part of the “golden age of American guitar making,” as noted by Page Six.

Mick Taylor’s business manager, Marlies Damming, confirmed that the unique “flaming” design on the guitar’s body has verified its ownership by Taylor. “There are many photos of Mick playing this Les Paul; it was his go-to guitar until it vanished,” Damming remarked.

Interestingly, these vintage Les Pauls from the 1950s are known for their distinctive flame patterns, akin to a fingerprint, which adds to their allure.

A source close to Taylor conveyed to Page Six that he is “mystified” regarding how his guitar ended up in the Met collection and mentioned that the guitarist never received compensation for the theft that took place over five decades ago.

Taylor originally purchased the guitar from Keith Richards in 1967, further enriching its colorful history. Keith had famously played it during the Stones’ debut on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in October 1964. Later, Taylor used it during the notorious Altamont Free Concert in December 1969, according to Billboard.

Additionally, renowned guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page are said to have played the instrument during its storied existence.

The guitar was reportedly stolen in broad daylight from the villa, amidst rumors that Richards owed money to local drug dealers. This heist allegedly involved the theft of nine guitars, along with Bobby Keys’ saxophone and Bill Wyman’s bass, as reported by Billboard.