Woman who returned Paul McCartney's stolen guitar shares hopes for reward
"It's part of rock 'n' roll history and it's not like they're a small band."
Paul McCartney was the lucky recipient of some incredible generosity from Cathy Guest, who recently returned the music legend's stolen electric bass guitar after more than half a century, and now she's crossing her fingers for some compensation.
The East Sussex resident discovered the Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass in her attic following the death of her husband Hadyn, who'd apparently got it off his brother Graham. McCartney, who changed the course of music history forever with The Beatles, first purchased the instrument in Hamburg back in 1961 before it was robbed from a van and sold to a pub landlord 11 years later.
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In conversation with The Sun, Guest herself revealed that she snuck a letter into the guitar case for McCartney to read, detailing her financial situation as she supports two children still in education.
"My husband inherited it when another family member died and he'd had if for years," she told the publication. "He had no idea where it came from. He was a keen musician and used to play all the guitars at home, including Paul's bass. We both loved music and I still go to gigs every weekend.
"I spoke to the security there and that's how it all got started. His people sent me pictures of the instrument they were looking for and I sent back pictures of the one I had," Guest further recalled.
"They confirmed it was the actual bass they were looking for. After that, they send somebody round to pick it up."
Read more: The Beatles fans in tears over music video they say is 'perfect finale'
She then confirmed that the 81-year-old's team had promised a reward for its safe return.
"I've still got the offer open with them and I've taken advice. It's part of rock 'n' roll history and it's not like they're a small band."
In other news, an Antiques Roadshow star had a signed satirical cartoon of McCartney valued on the show in the autumn of 2023. "I think we're talking about at least two-to-three thousand pounds," she was informed.
Watch: Sir Paul McCartney's stolen guitar returned after 50 years: 'We did it!'
