A surprisingly great number of the best musicians have been arrested at least once. Whether the musician was charged with a minor misdemeanour or a serious felony, the outcome was always the same — it was time to grimace for the camera for the infamous mugshots.
Check out our selection of the best musician mugshots
David Bowie
Year: 1976
Location: New York
Charge: Possession of cannabis
Bowie was arrested for pot possession after a concert. He was arrested alongside Iggy Pop and two other co-defendants.
Bruno Mars
Year: 2010
Location: Nevada
Charge: Felony Drug Possession
Peter Gene Hernandez, aka “Bruno Mars” was arrested in 2010 in a bathroom of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He was in possession of 2.6g of cocaine, but under a plea deal the charges were dropped after he paid $2000, completed 200 hours community service and 8 hours of drug counselling.
Ozzy Osbourne
Year: 1984
Location: Tennessee
Charge: Public Intoxication
The Black Sabbath front man was arrested when police found him “staggering drunk” in Memphis’ Beale Street entertainment district. The was charged with a misdemeanour public intoxication.
Phil Spector
Year: 2013
Location: California
Charge: Murder
The former music mogul is serving 19 years to life for the 2003 murder of Lana Clarkson.
Frank Sinatra
Year: 1938
Location: New Jersey
Charge: Seduction and Adultery
According to the protocol: “On the second and ninth days of November 1938 at the Borough of Lodi” and “under the promise of marriage” Sinatra “did then and there have sexual intercourse with the said complainant, who was then and there a single female of good repute.” Charges were ultimately dropped and it is reported the woman involved was already married. Yes, Sinatra really was arrested for that!
Michael Jackson
Year: 2003
Location: California
Charge: Child Molestation
Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy. A documentary film, Living with Michael Jackson, created a furor over the King of Pop’s conduct with under-age males at his Neverland Ranch. He stood trial for the accusations and was ultimately found not guilty in 2005.
Jimi Hendrix
Year: 1969
Location: Canada
Charge: Drug Possession
When Jimi and his band landed in Toronto, a customs official found heroin and hashish in his luggage. However, Hendrix claimed it had been planted and he was acquitted at trial.
Chris Brown
Year: 2018
Location: Florida
Charge: Felony Assault
Brown was arrested after finishing his show in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Eminem
Year: 2000
Location: Michigan
Charge: Assault with a deadly weapon
The rapper was arrested for pistol whipping a man outside a bar, however following a plea deal the charge of assault with a deadly weapon was dropped and he pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon. He served 2 years probation.
Justin Bieber
Year: 2014
Location: Florida
Charge: DUI and possession of marijuana and prescription drugs
Bieber and Khalil were arrested on charges of drag racing a yellow Lamborghini, driving under the influence of alcohol, resisting arrest and possession of marijuana and prescription drugs. He later admitted to the lesser charges of resisting arrest without violence, and driving without care and attention.
Mick Jagger
Year: 1967
Location: Sussex, UK
Charge: Drug Possession
Jagger was arrested in his own home for possession of amphetamine along with Keith Richards. He was convicted, but the sentence was overturned after appeal.
Tupac Shakur
Year: 1993
Location: New York
Charge: Sexual Assault
The rapper was arrested for sexually assaulting a 19 year old woman in a nightclub. He was sentenced to 4 and a half years, but was released after serving only 9 months in Clinton Correctional Facility.
Kid Rock
Year: 2007
Location: Georgia
Charge: Battery
Kid Rock and his entourage were arrested in a Waffle House in Atlanta, Georgia following a brwl which saw the victim needing hospital treatment. He was released hours after the photo was taken and subsequently sentenced to attend anger management therapy.
50 Cent
Year: 1994
Location: New York
Charge: Felony Drug
Known as ‘Curtis Jackson’, 50 Cent was only 19 when he served time in a New York State Department of Correctional Services shock incarceration program. He admitted felony charges for dealing heroin and crack cocaine.
P. Diddy
Year: 1999
Location: New York
Charge: Possession of a firearm
Diddy was arrested and charged for possession of a firearm following a shooting in a Manhattan nightclub. He was subsequently acquitted of all charges.
