Dispute Over Legendary Guitar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Strategic Insights -

A 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar once played by two members of the Rolling Stones is at the center of a dispute between the band's former guitarist Mick Taylor and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The guitar, donated by billionaire guitar collector Dirk Ziff, has been claimed by Taylor as an instrument he last saw in 1971 during the Stones' recording sessions for the album "Exile on Main St." Taylor and his team believe the guitar has reappeared, but the Met says provenance records show no evidence it ever belonged to Taylor. The guitar's ownership is contested, but its starring role in rock history is undeniable, having been played by Keith Richards and guitar legends.

Key Takeaways:

  • The dispute centers around a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar once played by Mick Taylor and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones.
  • The guitar was donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art by billionaire guitar collector Dirk Ziff as part of a landmark gift of over 500 guitars.
  • Mick Taylor claims the guitar was last seen in 1971 during the Stones' recording sessions for the album "Exile on Main St."
  • The Met says provenance records show no evidence the guitar ever belonged to Taylor.
  • A number of instruments went missing during the 1971 recording sessions, believed to have been stolen.
  • The guitar has a long and well-documented history of ownership, having been played by Keith Richards during the Stones' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964.
  • The guitar, nicknamed the "Keithburst," has changed hands several times since 1971 and reappeared twice in public.
  • The Met's records say the guitar was owned by Keith Richards until 1971, when it was acquired by record producer and manager Adrian Miller, who died in 2006.
  • Taylor says he got the guitar from Richards in 1967, two years before he joined the Stones.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 guitars were donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of a landmark gift from billionaire guitar collector Dirk Ziff.
  • The 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar was played by Keith Richards during the Stones' first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964.
  • The guitar has changed hands several times since 1971, including being put up for auction by Christie's in 2004, when it failed to sell.
  • The guitar was re-auctioned in 2016, where it was bought by Dirk Ziff.
  • The Met's new gallery dedicated to its collection of American guitars is planned to open with the donated collection.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • Ann Bailis, Museum Spokesperson
  • Marlies Damming, Mick Taylor's partner and business manager
  • Jeff Allen, Mick Taylor's former manager and publicist
  • Jocelyn Noveck, Associated Press writer