Paul McCartney Is Finally Reunited With Iconic Bass Stolen Over 50 Years Ago Thanks to an Online Campaign

Paul McCartney’s violin-shaped Hofner bass is a logo of The Beatles’ early years, very similar to their polished fits and moptop hairdos. While its look on numerous exhibits and studio recordings would have made it worthy of being displayed in a museum, it had a a lot completely different destiny. In 1972, it was stolen from a van, and its whereabouts remained a thriller for over half a century. Now, due to an exhaustive on-line marketing campaign, the enduring bass has been returned to its rightful proprietor.

The story of McCartney’s bass started all the best way again in 1961. After reluctantly taking up the function of bass participant from Stuart Sutcliffe, McCartney bought his first bass guitar, a Hofner 500/1 mannequin, throughout his time in Hamburg. “This was the bass that powered Beatlemania,” reads The Lost Bass Project web site, the trouble behind its return. “He used it in Hamburg for a number of residencies, he performed it over 250 instances at The Cavern Club. It was used to document The Beatle’s first two albums—Please Please Me and With The Beatles. It’s the bass you hear on ‘Love Me Do,’ ‘Twist and Shout,’ ‘All My Loving,’ ‘She Loves You’ and different hit singles.”

Two years later, McCartney received one other virtually an identical Höfner bass, with the unique Hamburg-bought model changing into a backup. But even then the unique was utilized in key classes, just like the recording of Let It Be.

After its disappearance, the instrument was considered misplaced or destroyed.  In 2018, a worldwide search was launched, with a whole bunch of followers sending ideas and leads. However, it wasn’t till 2023, that the search actually moved ahead. After piecing collectively all the small print from the theft, The Lost Bass Project realized who had stolen it and the place it might need been all this time. After publishing an article detailing their findings, their message reached the suitable particular person. Turns out, the bass had been in the identical household for 5 a long time.

“As a results of the publicity, somebody residing in a terraced home in Hastings on the south coast of England contacted Paul McCartney’s firm after which returned the bass to them. The search was over—Paul had his stolen bass again eventually!” While it had some harm, The Lost Bass Project has stated that it may simply be repaired by somebody with expertise, making it playable once more.

The Beatles member introduced the return of his beloved instrument by way of his web site. “Following the launch of final yr’s Lost Bass mission, Paul’s 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar, which was stolen in 1972, has been returned,” stated his group in a assertion. “The guitar has been authenticated by Höfner and Paul is extremely grateful to all these concerned.”

In 1972, Paul McCartney’s violin-shaped Hofner bass was stolen from a van, and its whereabouts remained a thriller for over half a century.

Now, due to an exhaustive on-line marketing campaign, the enduring bass has been returned to its rightful proprietor.

“Following the launch of final yr’s Lost Bass mission, Paul’s 1961 Höfner 500/1 bass guitar, which was stolen in 1972, has been returned. Paul is extremely grateful to all these concerned.”

Paul McCartney: Website
The Lost Bass Project: Website | Instagram
h/t: [NBC News]

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