Mick Jagger and Keith Richards Released from Jail
On this day in 1967, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones were released from jail in England after serving a month for drug charges. This event was a major moment in rock history and had a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of the 1960s.
In February 1967, the police raided Keith Richards’ home in West Wittering, Sussex, during a weekend party. Mick Jagger was charged with possession of amphetamines, and Keith Richards was charged with allowing his house to be used for smoking cannabis. This raid was part of a wider crackdown on rock stars by the British authorities, who were keen to make an example of them.
The trial, held in June 1967, attracted massive media attention. Mick Jagger was sentenced to three months in prison, while Keith Richards was given a year. Many people thought these sentences were too harsh and unfair. This public outcry was famously captured in an editorial in The Times of London, titled “Who Breaks a Butterfly on a Wheel?“, which argued against the severe punishment of the musicians.
Support for Jagger and Richards grew, and their case became a symbol of the struggle between the younger generation and the establishment. After serving a month in jail, they were released on bail pending an appeal. On July 31, 1967, their appeal was successful: Jagger’s sentence was reduced to a conditional discharge, and Richards’ conviction was completely overturned.
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This event not only shaped the future of The Rolling Stones but also played a significant role in the ongoing debate over drug laws and the treatment of celebrities. Even today, it stands as a defining moment in the history of rock and the cultural revolution of the 1960s.