Rock stars often live fast and reckless lives. Their fame does not protect them when they break the law. These legal troubles result in mugshots that document their time in custody. Some of these images are from the very beginning of their careers, while others happened at the height of their popularity.
Jimi Hendrix was arrested in May 1969 at the Toronto International Airport. Customs officers searched his luggage and found heroin and hashish. Hendrix claimed a fan gave him the bag and he did not know the drugs were inside. He stood for his mugshot wearing a dark jacket and a calm expression. A jury later found him not guilty of the charges.
Ozzy Osbourne faced the police in Memphis, Tennessee, in May 1984. He was staggering down Beale Street while heavily intoxicated. Officers arrested him for public drunkenness to ensure his own safety. His mugshot shows him with messy hair and a very dazed look. He spent several hours in a jail cell before being released.
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David Bowie was arrested in March 1976 in Rochester, New York. He had just finished a concert and was relaxing in a hotel room with Iggy Pop. Police officers entered the room and found half a pound of marijuana. Bowie stayed in jail for a few hours and paid a bond. His mugshot is famous because he looks professional and sharp in a suit.
Kurt Cobain was arrested in May 1986 in his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington. He was 19 years old at the time. Police charged him with trespassing while intoxicated and painting graffiti on a building. His mugshot shows him with long blonde hair and a slight smirk. This happened years before his band Nirvana became a global success.
Jim Morrison was the first rock star ever arrested on stage during a concert. In December 1967, he performed at the New Haven Arena in Connecticut. Before the show, an officer sprayed him with mace in a backstage hallway. During the performance, Morrison insulted the police and told the crowd what happened. Officers stopped the music and took him to the local station.
Axl Rose caused a riot during a Guns N’ Roses concert in July 1991. The show took place in Maryland Heights, Missouri. Rose saw a fan taking photos and dove into the crowd to take the camera. He then walked off stage and ended the concert early. The fans destroyed the venue, and police charged Rose with property damage and assault.
Mick Jagger was arrested in 1967 during a raid on a home in Sussex, England. Police found illegal drugs during the search of the house. The arrest became a major news story across the country. Jagger faced a short prison sentence, but it was later overturned on appeal. He wore a dark suit for his police booking photos.
Steven Tyler was a teenager when he was arrested in 1967. The arrest happened in Yonkers, New York. Police caught him with a small amount of marijuana. His mugshot features a young Tyler with long hair. He had not yet formed the band Aerosmith when this arrest took place.
Janis Joplin had a conflict with the police in Tampa, Florida, in November 1969. She used vulgar language toward officers from the stage during her concert. They waited for her to finish her performance before taking her into custody. She was charged with disorderly conduct and paid a fine to be released.
Sid Vicious was arrested in December 1978 in New York City. He was at a club called Hurrah when a fight broke out. Vicious hit another man with a broken glass bottle. Police charged him with assault. He was already out on bail for a different charge when this event occurred.
