Legendary rock band’s stolen guitar was missing for 54 years. A museum finally recovered it.

A prized guitar stolen from The Rolling Stones has resurfaced at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York after being missing for 54 years, Page Six reports.

The 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard belonged to former Stones guitarist Mick Taylor, who purchased it from original member and guitarist Keith Richards. Taylor himself would play with The Rolling Stones until abruptly quitting the band in 1974.

The Les Paul in question had seen its fair share of illustrious gigs, including The Stones’ appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in October 1964 and their Altamont Free Concert in December 1969. The guitar was thought to be lost forever; it was stolen initially during the recording sessions for 1972’s Exile on Main St. at the Villa Nellcôte mansion in the Côte d’Azur, France.

It is said the robbery was carried out by Marseille drug dealers Richards was said to have owed money to, according to The Guardian. As a result, nine guitars, a saxophone belonging to Bobby Keys, and Bill Wyman’s bass guitar were taken.

In May, The Met received a landmark gift of 500 guitars made between 1920 and 1970. Taylor’s business manager and partner, Marlies Damming, immediately identified the “flaming” pattern on the body of the guitar.

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

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com

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