Keith Richards’ Legendary Tales From the Road

O, Canada! (1977)

By the mid-‘70s, Richards had been busted so many times for drugs that it hardly surprised anyone anymore. However, this bust was the bust of all busts. In fact, it was so bad that it nearly derailed Rolling Stones while they were at their peak of fame. In February ’77, Canadian police officers found one ounce of illegal substances in Richards’s hotel room.

Keith Richards sitting on a couch during a portrait session

Photo by George Rose / Getty Images

The guitarist was arrested, charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, and faced a pretty lengthy prison sentence. He posted bond and was given a special visa that permitted him to travel south to the U.S. to undergo an experimental cure for addiction. By the time his case came up in October ’78, fans were pissed.