10 Rock Star’s Worst Police Moment

Rock and roll has always been about breaking rules, but sometimes those wild nights go a little too far — ending not in applause, but in handcuffs. From public indecency to bizarre misunderstandings, here are ten of the most unforgettable and downright embarrassing rock-star arrests ever to hit the headlines.

Jim Morrison – The Miami Mayhem
Jim Morrison, lead singer of The Doors, was known for his rebellious stage antics, but his 1969 concert in Miami took things to another level. After reportedly making an obscene remark to the crowd, rumors spread that he had exposed himself on stage — though no one ever proved it. The uproar led to an arrest warrant, and by 1970, Morrison was sentenced to six months in jail for indecent exposure and profanity. He never served the time, as he passed away in Paris while appealing the conviction. Decades later, Florida’s governor officially pardoned him, giving the Lizard King a little posthumous redemption.

David Lee Roth – The Five-Dollar Bust
In 1993, Van Halen’s frontman, David Lee Roth, found himself in a New York City drug sting gone wrong. Police were conducting a sweep of Washington Square Park when they caught Roth buying a tiny $5 bag of marijuana. It wasn’t exactly a major crime — just a bad decision in a very public place. The real shock wasn’t that Roth smoked weed, but that he got caught doing it so casually. It was a humbling moment for the famously over-the-top rock god.

Paul McCartney – A High Price in Japan
Even a Beatle isn’t above the law. In 1980, Paul McCartney flew to Japan for a Wings tour and packed what he thought were “essentials” — including eight ounces of premium cannabis. Customs agents quickly found it, and Paul spent nine uncomfortable days in a Tokyo detention center. The arrest caused the band to cancel their entire tour, costing everyone a big payday. McCartney later admitted that it wasn’t his smartest move, and he’s been a lot more careful on his trips to Japan ever since.

Keith Moon – Birthday Bash Gone Wrong
Nobody partied harder than The Who’s drummer Keith Moon, and his 21st birthday (actually his 20th) in 1967 proved it. The celebration at a Holiday Inn in Michigan spiraled into total chaos — food fights, busted furniture, and even a Lincoln Continental ending up in the hotel pool. Moon reportedly crashed the car himself, completely naked. The damage bill hit $24,000, and The Who were banned from all Holiday Inns afterward. Moon even had to visit a dentist before jail because he broke a tooth trying to run away, and was so drunk he didn’t need an anesthetic.

Mick Jagger, Brian Jones & Bill Wyman – The Restroom Rebellion
In 1965, three Rolling Stones members — Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, and Bill Wyman — found trouble at a British gas station after being denied use of the restroom. When the attendant refused them, Jagger reportedly said they’d go anywhere they wanted — and Wyman did exactly that, relieving himself against the wall. The trio were fined a few pounds, but the incident only added to their bad-boy reputation. Sometimes a small scandal makes for great rock history.

Chris Robinson – The 7-Eleven Spat
In 1991, The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson stopped by a Colorado 7-Eleven for some beer — and left with an arrest record. After a fan pointed him out, another customer asked who he was, which somehow enraged the singer. He allegedly insulted her, spat on her, and stormed out without paying. Police arrested him soon after, and he received probation and a small fine. Not exactly the kind of “remedy” his band was famous for.

Bob Dylan – The Mistaken Identity
Even legends can look suspicious sometimes. In 2009, Bob Dylan was walking through a New Jersey neighborhood in the rain when locals called the police to report a “strange old man” wandering around. When officers arrived, Dylan calmly told them who he was — but without any ID and dressed in mismatched rain gear, they didn’t believe him. Only after a quick trip to his tour bus, where he showed his passport, did they realize they’d nearly arrested one of America’s greatest songwriters.

Frank Zappa – The Fake Tape Trap
In 1965, an undercover officer tricked young musician Frank Zappa into making what he thought was a paid recording job — only it turned out to be a setup for an “adult audio tape.” The sounds were all fake, but that didn’t stop Zappa from getting busted for producing pornography. He spent ten days in jail, which oddly enough kept him from being drafted to Vietnam. The whole ordeal added an edge to his already rebellious image — and plenty of material for his future music.

Ozzy Osbourne – The Alamo Incident
The story of Ozzy Osbourne “peeing on the Alamo” has become rock legend, though it’s only partly true. In 1982, Ozzy, extremely drunk and wearing one of his girlfriend Sharon’s dresses, relieved himself on a monument near the Alamo — not the historic site itself. Still, the act got him arrested for public intoxication and banned from San Antonio for ten years. He eventually apologized and was welcomed back, but the story stuck around longer than the ban.

Sebastian Bach – Bar Fight Blues
Former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach got into serious trouble in 2011 after a night out in his Canadian hometown. When a bar musician refused to let him sing, Bach reportedly threw ice, smashed a glass, and fought with the owner — even biting his hand during the scuffle. The charges included assault and mischief, and the owner jokingly asked for a rabies test. Bach later defended himself, saying it was just a misunderstanding — but it definitely wasn’t his most graceful moment.

Even rock stars who live by their own rules sometimes find out the hard way that the law plays by none. From drunken stunts to mistaken arrests, these moments prove that fame doesn’t grant immunity — just better headlines.