The 10 Best Musician Mug Shots

by Anne T. Donahue

August 26, 2011

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As if earthquakes and tornado warnings weren’t bad enough, DMX was arrested for the zillionth time this week, cementing the fact that the apocalypse is indeed impending (or maybe life is just carrying on as usual?). And while a hurricane now heads for the Eastern US, we’re preparing by thinking of the many other musicians that have broken the law, and despite the magnitude of some crimes, have left us with undeniably wonderful photographic proof. Here are our 10 favourite mug shots.

10. Frank Sinatra

A 23-year-old Frank Sinatra was arrested in Bergen County, N.J. in 1938 with charges of seduction and adultery after having sex with a “single female of good repute” under “the promise of marriage.” (It didn’t work out.) However, charges were dropped once the woman was found to be married, and our Frank was unleashed upon the world.

9. Jack White

In December 2003, 28-year-old Jack White was apprehended in Detroit on an aggravated assault charge after allegedly delivering beats to a fellow musician.

8. Janis Joplin

After yelling obscenities at Tampa police at an outdoor concert in 1969, Janis Joplin was arrested for being herself disorderly conduct. The charges were dropped after they remembered that the First Amendment exists.

7. Kid Rock

While it’s difficult to pick just one out of Robert James Ritchie’s portfolio of mug shots, his jolly demeanor takes the cake after the singer was arrested for simple battery following a fight at a Waffle House in Atlanta in 2007. No one denies Kid Rock syrup.

6. Mick Jagger

23-year-old Mick Jagger was charged with narcotics possession in 1967 after police acted on a tip that took them to Keith Richards’ England home. Though he made bail a few days later, we can only assume that Brixton Jail had never before seen such a dapper-looking suit.

5. Sid Vicious

Arrested after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend Nancy Spungen at New York’s Chelsea Hotel in 1978, Sid Vicious was charged with second degree murder, but overdosed on heroin after making bail. (Though Gary Oldman can depict it better than we ever will.)

4. Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars seemed to be all smiles after being charged with cocaine possession in Las Vegas last fall. Though in all fairness, we think being apprehended at the Hard Rock is pretty funny, too.

3. Johnny Cash

After US customs agents found pep pills and tranquilizers in his luggage, Johnny Cash was arrested in October 1965 and went on to spend a night in the El Paso jail.

2. David Bowie

Charged with pot felony possession, David Bowie was arrested in upstate New York in March 1976 along with Iggy Pop and two other friends at a Rochester Hotel following a concert. Whether the arrest was actually in response to being left out of the best after party ever has never been confirmed.

1. Phil Spector

While being convicted with the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson is appalling in itself, accidentally coming across the image before bed or while home alone is also of the traumatizing variety. Sorry, everyone.

Tags: Music, Lists, Bruno Mars, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, Iggy Pop, Jack White, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash, Kid Rock, Sid Vicious

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