The Rolling Stones' Redlands bust

Lore & Background

In February 1967, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards were arrested at Richards' home, Redlands, a country house estate in West Wittering, Sussex, for drug possession. The raid followed a campaign by the tabloid newspaper the News of the World, which Jagger was suing for libel at the time. The paper had published lurid stories about Jagger and his girlfriend Marianne Faithfull. Although convicted and spending a night in prison, a publicity campaign by their colleagues in the music industry encouraged popular support and criticism of the prosecution. The traditionally conservative newspaper The Times published an op-ed by William Rees-Mogg titled 'Who Breaks a Butterfly on a Wheel?', criticizing the prosecutions as unfounded and unnecessary.

Reader's Guide

The Redlands bust symbolized the growing generation gap between the rock aristocracy and the traditional press and authorities. The News of the World had run a series on pop stars and drugs, targeting the Rolling Stones after a case of mistaken identity involving Brian Jones. The raid, led by Detective Sergeant Norman Pilcher, found little evidence: a few roaches, amphetamine pills, and heroin belonging to art dealer Robert Fraser. Rumors of an orgy and a Mars bar incident were later denied by Faithfull. The event galvanized public sympathy for the band and highlighted the role of the press in policing celebrity behavior. It remains a key moment in the history of British rock music and the struggle over drug laws and personal freedom.

Did You Know?

• The raid was preceded by a News of the World campaign; Jagger was suing the paper for libel at the time.
• Rumors that Jagger was caught eating a Mars bar out of Marianne Faithfull's vagina were later denied by Faithfull.