Did you know that Frank Sinatra, Cher, and Prince have had at least one run-in with the law? In Frank's case, his offense was sexual. In Cher's case, her offense was automotive. And in Prince's case, his offense was all a load of bullhorn. Want to know more? Then please check out the following list of musicians who've all been charged with breaking the law.
Born: December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA / Claim to fame: Singer, actor, and member of an informal group of performers known as the Rat Pack / Some of their popular songs: 'Fly Me to the Moon' (1964), 'That's Life' (1966), and 'New York, New York' (1980) / Years active: 1935 to 1995
Summary of the crime: A young woman accused Frank of seducing and then having sexual intercourse with her by promising his hand in marriage / Charged with: Sexual assault, which was then changed to adultery / Date and location: November 1938, in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA / Outcome: He was initially released on $1,500 bail, but one month later his charge was changed to adultery, which was eventually dropped, as it was determined that the woman in question was already married.
Born: May 20, 1946, in El Centro, California, USA / Claim to fame: Singer, actress, and television personality / Some of their popular songs: 'I Got You Babe' (1965), which she performed with her first husband, Sonny Bono, 'If I Could Turn Back Time' (1989), and 'Believe' (1998) / Years active: 1963 to the present day
Summary of the crime: After a friend left Cher in his car, she was apparently compelled to drive it away as it was obstructing other vehicles, until she was eventually spotted by the police and then stopped / Charged with: Driving a car without a license / Date and location: January 1959, in Los Angeles, California, USA / Outcome: She was given a warning and spent a night in jail.
Born: July 26, 1943, in Dartford, Kent, UK / Claim to fame: Singer, songwriter, actor, and lead vocalist for the English rock group, the Rolling Stones / Some of their popular songs: '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction' (1965), 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' (1968), and 'Brown Sugar' (1971) / Years active: 1960 to the present day
Summary of the crime: Tipped off by a member of the press, the police raided the home of one of Mick's fellow band members, Keith Richards, who at the time was having a gathering and allowed his guests, including Mick, to smoke cannabis and consume other drugs / Charged with: Possessing amphetamines / Date and location: February 1967, in West Wittering, Sussex, UK / Outcome: Both Mick and Keith were convicted and sentenced to prison, but their convictions were overturned on appeal.
Born: November 27, 1942, in Seattle, Washington, USA / Claim to fame: Singer, songwriter, and guitarist with his own band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience / Some of their popular songs: 'Hey Joe' (1966), 'Purple Haze' (1967), and 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)' (1968) / Years active: 1962 to 1970
Summary of the crime: Upon arrival at Toronto International Airport, customs agents discovered heroin and hashish in Jimi's suitcase / Charged with: Possession of illegal drugs / Date and location: May 1969, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada / Outcome: He was found not guilty in a court of law as the prosecutors couldn't prove that Jimi knew the drugs were in his possession.
Born: January 8, 1947, in Brixton, London, UK / Claim to fame: Singer, songwriter, and actor / Some of their popular songs: 'Space Oddity' (1969), 'Starman' (1972), and 'Ashes to Ashes' (1980) / Years active: 1962 to 2016
Summary of the crime: After a performance at the Rochester Community War Memorial in New York, the police discovered marijuana in David's hotel room / Charged with: Possession of marijuana / Date and location: March 1976, in Rochester, New York, USA / Outcome: Even though David and three other musicians, most notably, Iggy Pop, spent one night in jail before being released on bail, all charges were eventually dropped because a grand jury refused to indict them.
Born: June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA / Claim to fame: Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and founder of his own band, the Revolution / Some of their popular songs: 'Little Red Corvette' (1983), 'When Doves Cry' (1984), and 'Purple Rain' (1984) / Years active: 1975 to 2016
Summary of the crime: According to the keyboardist, Dr. Fink, he and Prince decided to take an emergency bullhorn from an airplane while they were flying to their next gig, which was spotted by a fellow passenger who then reported it to the authorities / Charged with: Theft / Date and location: March 1980, in Jackson, Mississippi, USA / Outcome: He voluntarily went to jail with Dr. Fink, but during their time in custody, the whole affair turned into a big meet-and-greet because Prince ended up posing for pictures and signing autographs, prior to being released and the charges dropped on condition that they return the bullhorn and apologize to the airline for taking it, which they did.
So, what do you think of all that, folks? What do you think of this list of musicians who've been charged with breaking the law? Are you surprised to see a cool cat like Frank Sinatra on this list? (😉) Or are you happy to find out that David Bowie beat the rap? (✊) Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
MUSICIANS BEHIND BARS (PART ONE)
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
October 23, 2024
Rating:
Reviewed by David Andrews
on
October 23, 2024
Rating:
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