Mick Taylor claims stolen guitar appears at the Met

In a significant dispute, Mick Taylor, the former guitarist of the Rolling Stones, has stated that a particular 1959 Gibson Les Paul guitar, believed to have been stolen, has resurfaced at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States. The guitar, recognized by its distinctive 'starburst' finish, was reportedly last seen by Taylor in 1971 during the recording of 'Exile on Main St.' in France, when several instruments went missing amid the tumultuous atmosphere surrounding the band's sessions. The Metropolitan Museum, which received the guitar as part of a landmark donation of over 500 vintage guitars from Dirk Ziff, claims they have no records indicating the guitar ever belonged to Taylor. They maintain that their records show the Les Paul was owned by Keith Richards until 1971 and subsequently changed hands multiple times before being acquired by Ziff in 2016. Since its debate-worthy return to public view in 2019, the guitar has stirred interest due to its significant role in rock history. While the museum has documented charts of ownership, Taylor's team demands an inspection by an independent expert to verify its provenance. The situation leaves the ownership of the guitar clouded in uncertainty, overshadowing its historical legacy as a famed instrument played by music legends. The museum has stated that they have not been contacted by Taylor or his representatives regarding the guitar, which adds to the ongoing intrigue of this dispute that could impact the reputations of both Taylor and the museum as well as the guitar's esteemed history in rock music.