Rock and roll has always been synonymous with rebellion, and for many iconic musicians, their run-ins with the law have become as legendary as their music.
Here are 10 famous rock star mug shots and the stories behind them.
1. Jim Morrison
In December 1967, during a concert in New Haven, Connecticut, Jim Morrison was arrested on stage. A police officer found him backstage with a woman and ordered him to leave. Morrison’s sarcastic response, “Eat me,” led to him being maced and arrested for indecency and public obscenity. He became the first rock performer to be arrested on stage.
2. Axl Rose
Axl Rose, the frontman of Guns N’ Roses, had multiple run-ins with the law. In 1987, he was arrested on stage after assaulting a security guard during a show. In 1992, he was involved in the Riverport Riot, leading to charges of property damage and assault. In 1998, he was arrested at an airport for threatening a guard. In 2006, he was arrested in Sweden for biting a security guard during an argument.
3. Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious, the Sex Pistols’ bassist, was arrested after his girlfriend Nancy Spungen was found dead from a stab wound on October 12, 1978. He was charged with second-degree murder and released on bail. Before the case went to trial, Sid died of a heroin overdose on February 2, 1979, and the murder charge was never adjudicated.
4. David Bowie
In 1976, David Bowie was arrested in Rochester, New York, for marijuana possession. He was released on bail, and the incident added to his “outlaw” image, as well as adding him into our list of rock star mug shots.
5. Mick Jagger
In 1972, Mick Jagger was arrested in Providence, Rhode Island, for assaulting a photographer. The charges were later dropped, but this rock star mug shot remains a part of rock history.
6. Tommy Lee
In 1998, Tommy Lee, drummer of Mötley Crüe, was arrested for assaulting his wife, Pamela Anderson. He served four months in jail, and his mug shot became one of the most infamous in rock history.
7. Vince Neil
Vince Neil, lead singer of Mötley Crüe, was arrested in 1984 for a DUI that resulted in a car accident, killing his passenger. He served 15 days in jail and was ordered to pay restitution.
8. David Crosby
In 1985, David Crosby was arrested for drug possession and weapons charges. He was sentenced to five years in prison but served only nine months.
9. Janis Joplin
In 1969, Janis Joplin was arrested in Tampa, Florida, for using offensive language in public. The arrest added to her rebellious image and was a testament to her unapologetic personality.
10. Johnny Cash
In November 1966, Folsom Prison staff took a playful “mug shot” of Johnny Cash while he was visiting the prison. Rumors spread in 1967 that he would record a live album there, but scheduling delays pushed the show to January 1968. Despite his outlaw image, Cash never actually served time in Folsom or any other prison.
10 Famous Rock Star Mug Shots – Your Feedback
These mug shots capture moments where rock stars’ rebellious spirits collided with the law. While some incidents were serious, others added to the legends of these musicians, solidifying their places in rock history. Which one is your favourite mug shot?
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