4 Classic Rock Legends Arrested During Tours
via PaulandGeorge / YouTube
Being on the road can be chaotic, especially for rock stars known for pushing limits. Some of the most iconic musicians in classic rock didn’t just make headlines for their music—they also landed in trouble with the law while touring. From drug busts in foreign countries to wild incidents during concerts, these moments became part of their stories. Here are four real cases of classic rock legends who were arrested during tours or performances.
Paul McCartney – Drug Possession in Japan (1980)
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In 1980, Paul McCartney was arrested in Japan just as he arrived for Wings’ first tour of the country. As he went through customs at Tokyo’s Narita Airport, authorities found around eight ounces of cannabis in his suitcase. McCartney later admitted he brought it because he didn’t think he’d find any to smoke while in Japan.
He was held at the Narcotics Detention Center in Tokyo for nine days. The Japanese leg of the tour was canceled, and the incident embarrassed both McCartney and the band. It also added pressure to a group already facing internal struggles, which helped lead to Wings’ eventual breakup.
Axl Rose – Assaulting a Security Guard Onstage (1987)
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Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose is no stranger to law enforcement. Though he’s had more than 20 arrests in his lifetime, one stands out for happening during a concert. In 1987, Rose was arrested mid-show after he physically attacked a security guard during a performance. He was taken backstage, where officials gave him the chance to apologize in exchange for being let go.
Staying true to his defiant nature, Rose refused to say sorry. He was arrested shortly after. This moment became one of many unpredictable and confrontational events that followed Rose throughout his early years in rock music.
Michael Todd – Armed Robbery Before a Show (2011)
In 2011, Coheed and Cambria bassist Michael Todd made headlines for a shocking crime just before a concert in Massachusetts. Hours before the show at Comcast Center, Todd walked into a nearby pharmacy and handed over a note demanding OxyContin. He claimed he had a bomb and would use it if the staff didn’t comply.
After receiving the pills, Todd fled the scene in a taxi and went straight to the concert venue, where police were waiting. He was arrested for armed robbery and drug possession. He didn’t perform that night and was quickly removed from the band the following month.
Jim Morrison – Indecent Behavior and Arrest Onstage (1967)
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Jim Morrison of The Doors was arrested in 1967 after a wild series of events at a Connecticut concert. Before the show, Morrison was reportedly fooling around with a woman backstage. A police officer, unaware of who Morrison was, told them to stop. Morrison refused and was maced by the officer.
When he finally made it onstage, Morrison told the crowd what happened, adding offensive details to mock the police. That speech led to his arrest during the show. Many consider this the first time a rock star was ever arrested during a live performance.
