Lucy (George Harrison guitar)

Lucy was a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar, finished in gold, famously gifted to George Harrison of The Beatles by Eric Clapton in 1968. It is considered one of the most iconic and historically significant guitars in rock and roll history.

Initially owned by John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful, the guitar was traded to Rick Derringer of The McCoys, who then sent it to Gibson for refinishing in a cherry sunburst finish, essentially stripping and re-spraying it. Derringer, unhappy with the result, sold the guitar to Dan Armstrong’s guitar shop in New York. It was there that Eric Clapton purchased it.

Clapton, after using it for a short time, gifted the guitar to George Harrison, reportedly because Harrison admired it so much. Harrison dubbed the guitar "Lucy," after the red-headed comedian Lucille Ball.

Lucy was extensively used by Harrison throughout his post-Beatles career, most notably on The Beatles' track "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," where Clapton played the famous guitar solo on Lucy at Harrison's request. Lucy was also used on numerous Harrison solo recordings and live performances.

In 1973, Lucy was stolen from Harrison’s Los Angeles home. After a global search, a Mexican musician was discovered to have it. Through negotiations, Harrison traded two other guitars (a Les Paul and a bass) to recover Lucy.

Lucy remained in Harrison's possession until his death in 2001 and is now part of his estate. Its historical significance and association with both Harrison and Clapton make it one of the most valued guitars in the world.