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The Rolling Stones in the press: “Jagger-Richard in Drugs Search”

*From the New Musical Express, England, Feb. 25 1967

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A Jagger-Richard song story or bust? The latter, most definitely. In February 1967, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Marianne Faithfull found themselves at the center of one of the most infamous drug busts in rock history—the Redlands raid. The scene? Keith’s Sussex mansion, Redlands, where what was supposed to be a chill weekend of music, friends, and maybe a little recreational fun turned into a full-blown scandal.

Thanks to a tip-off (allegedly from the News of the World, because British tabloids were basically the original social media trolls), the cops came knocking. And by knocking, we mean storming in like they were raiding an underground crime syndicate. What did they find? Jagger, Richards, Faithfull, and some friends lounging around. Oh, and Marianne Faithfull wrapped in nothing but a fur rug—because, apparently, rock-star girlfriends didn’t do pajamas.

The authorities must have been hoping for a massive drug bust, but all they got were small amounts of LSD, amphetamines, and cannabis—hardly a cartel operation. But that didn’t stop the British legal system from making an example out of the Stones. Jagger was sentenced to three months in prison for possession of four measly pep pills, while Richards got a year for—wait for it—letting people take drugs in his own home.

Cue public outrage, especially from those who saw the case for what it was: an establishment freak-out over two rock stars refusing to play by the rules. The verdicts were eventually overturned, but the whole affair only cemented the Stones’ bad-boy reputation.

Moral of the story? If you’re in a rock band in 1967 and throwing a party, maybe don’t invite the British press. Or at least make sure your guests wear something other than a fur rug.

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