On Saturday, March 29, 2025, over forty thousand people gathered at Paris’s La Défense Arena to cheer on Lenny Kravitz. As part of his Blue Electric Light Tour, he played to a sold-out crowd, delivering a set filled with timeless hits and energetic new tracks. More than a must-see event for fans, the evening was also marked by the return of a legendary instrument to the stage: the Yardburst.

The very first Les Paul owned by the incomparable Jeff Beck, this one-of-a-kind guitar – both in form and in music history – returned to the spotlight in the hands of Craig Ross. A true piece of rock heritage, the Yardburst hadn’t been seen on stage since the early 1970s with the Jeff Beck Group. Carefully preserved in Jeff Beck’s studio in northern England, the guitar had remained by his side for nearly sixty years but had not been brought on tour.

Gone are the rock history books and black-and-white photos – the Yardburst once again rang out through the amps of a packed venue, working its magic live. It was important for Matt’s Guitar Shop to mark its return to the stage with a special moment. Lending it to Craig Ross for the final stretch of the Blue Electric Light Tour was a meaningful decision. A virtuoso musician and Lenny Kravitz’s right-hand man for decades, Craig has also been a close friend of the Shop for many years. We thank him for carrying the torch of this guitar for a few shows and for allowing so many to hear the unmistakable sound that shaped British music in the second half of the 20th century!

Photo credit: Mia Ross