The Battle of the Les Paul: The Rolling Stones' Guitar Ownership Dispute at The Met
One of the most esteemed art institutions in the United States is embroiled in a dispute with a former member of The Rolling Stones over the ownership of a 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York recently received a significant donation of over 500 guitars from influential musicians of the 20th century, including Keith Richards' iconic Les Paul.
The announcement of the guitar collection at the Met sparked controversy when Mick Taylor's representatives claimed that the guitar belonged to Taylor and not Richards. They pointed out that Taylor had extensively played the Les Paul before it went missing. However, the Met conducted its own research and stated that the guitar was owned by Adrian Miller in 1971 and later sold to Cosmo Verrico of the Heavy Metal Kids.
Keith Richards famously used the Les Paul during The Rolling Stones' debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, solidifying the band's presence in the US. Mick Taylor reportedly acquired the guitar from the Stones' road manager Ian Stewart in 1971 and played it during his five-year tenure with the band. Some sources suggest that the guitar was among the instruments stolen during a robbery at Villa Nellcôte in 1971.
The 1959 Les Paul was put up for auction in 2004 but remained unsold until it was purchased by Swedish producer Peter Svensson in 2006. It changed hands again in 2016 when investor Dirk Ziff acquired it with the help of music producer Perry Margouleff. The guitar was featured in the Met's 2019 exhibition, Play It Loud, on loan from Ziff.
Mick Taylor's manager, Marlies Damming, has requested access to the guitar for inspection to confirm its provenance. The Met Museum has not received any communication from Taylor's representatives but plans to open a permanent gallery dedicated to American guitars in 2027, showcasing some of the donated instruments.
Since departing from The Rolling Stones in 1974, Mick Taylor has maintained a low profile. In a 2009 interview, he revealed his struggles with addiction and the reasons behind his decision to leave the band. The Independent has reached out to Taylor, The Rolling Stones, and the Met Museum for further comments on the ongoing dispute.