Jeff Beck’s legendary Gibson Les Paul, affectionately dubbed the “YardBurst,” is experiencing a powerful resurgence on modern stages. After its recent acquisition at auction for $496,484 (£403,200), the circa 1959 instrument – once in the hands of rock giants like Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck – has found a new lease on life, courtesy of Matthieu Lucas, owner of Matt’s Guitar Shop in Paris.
Earlier this year, the YardBurst was famously played in Europe by Craig Ross, longtime guitarist and collaborator of Lenny Kravitz. Now, the guitar has made another prominent appearance, this time in the hands of blues-rock virtuoso Marcus King, during a live performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. The event marked a celebration of KALEO’s new album, Mixed Emotions, and featured not only King but also Drew Smithers and JJ Julius Son of KALEO wielding the iconic instrument.
Lucas, who brought the guitar to Red Rocks specifically for the occasion, described the moment as a deliberate continuation of the YardBurst’s story. “JJ, the lead singer of the band, is one of my closest friends, and when I saw Marcus King was opening, I grabbed my ticket and brought the YardBurst along to keep its story going at Red Rocks,” he explained.
In recent years, Lucas has become something of a “guitar matchmaker,” dedicated to bringing historic instruments back into the spotlight. He previously entrusted the YardBurst to Ross and also facilitated the use of Steve Jones’ Sex Pistols Les Paul by artists such as Yungblud, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, and Deryck Whibley of Sum 41.
This latest Red Rocks performance marked another step in that mission. Marcus King opened his set with the YardBurst, using it for the first three songs, including “The Well” from his 2020 album El Dorado. He then handed it over to JJ Julius Son, who used it for several more tracks, including the standout “Hey Gringo,” a personal favorite of Lucas.
“What was fascinating was how different their playing styles are, yet in each case, the YardBurst’s legendary tone really shone through,” Lucas noted. “It just clicked every time.”
Despite the risks involved in touring with such a valuable piece of music history, Lucas remains firm in his belief that instruments like the YardBurst are meant to be played, not preserved behind glass. “If you look at the music industry long-term, in 10 to 15 years – maybe even sooner – many of today’s legends might no longer be touring,” he said. “What better way to honor the past than by letting the YardBurst, which was once played by Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, and many others, live on through the hands of today’s artists?”
Lucas’s passion project is rooted in a desire to ensure legendary guitars continue to inspire. His future dream collaborations for the YardBurst include legends like Eric Clapton, Joe Perry, and Joe Bonamassa. “Showing the guitar to Jimmy Page once more would be a huge honor,” he added.
Yet Lucas is clear: this isn’t a project limited to just rock royalty. “All guitarists are welcome to play it,” he said. “Legendary instruments are meant to be played and to inspire future generations.”
With Marcus King, JJ Julius Son, and Drew Smithers now part of the YardBurst’s living history, it’s clear that this storied Les Paul isn’t ready to be silenced just yet. Its tone, spirit, and legacy continue to echo through generations – exactly as it should.
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