Pete Townshend’s 1969 Gibson SG to be loaned after 56 years

A historic 1969 cherry-red Gibson SG, famously destroyed by The Who’s Pete Townshend during a 1970 performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, is being prepared for loan to other guitarists.

The instrument was caught by a dedicated fan, Binky Phillips, during the chaotic set. After the guitar was accidentally damaged when Townshend struck a Hiwatt amplifier, he threw the instrument toward the crowd. Phillips caught the guitar and subsequently had it professionally repaired by luthier Charles Robey, making it playable once again.

Phillips has held onto the instrument for over five decades. He is now preparing to hand the guitar over to Matt’s Guitar Shop in Paris, where it will be managed for potential loans to other musicians.