Last Updated on October 8, 2025 by Matt Staff
Some arrests stemmed from youthful defiance, others from the chaotic pressures of fame, and a few were simply shocking, even to the fans who loved them the most. Looking at these photos, it’s clear that the personalities we admire were still very human, flaws and all. Each image tells a story of a time when music was changing the world, and the artists themselves were often testing the limits. Let’s take a look at 20 mugshots of famous musicians from the ’60s to the ’90s.
1. Jimi Hendrix
Arrested at Toronto Airport in 1969 for possession of drugs, leading to a brief legal ordeal before the charges were eventually dropped.
2. Jim Morrison
Morrison was arrested in 1969 for allegedly exposing himself onstage during a Miami concert; he was convicted of indecent behavior and profanity.
3. Janis Joplin
Joplin was arrested on November 16, 1969, in Tampa, Florida, for using vulgar and indecent language during a concert.
4. Mick Jagger
Arrested in 1967 on charges of drug possession after police found contraband in his home; the case made headlines worldwide.
5. David Bowie
Arrested briefly in 1976 in the U.S. for drug possession after being caught with a small amount during a tour stop.
6. Johnny Cash
Arrested multiple times, notably in the 1960s for smuggling contraband across state lines and for minor public disturbances.
7. Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy was taken into custody in the ’80s for biting the head off a bat onstage, and previously for various drug- and alcohol-related offenses.
8. Prince
Prince was arrested in 1980 for a prank involving stealing an emergency megaphone from a plane. Rumor has it that keyboardist Dr. Fink actually took the megaphone, but Prince took the fall.
9. Elvis Presley
Arrested as a young man for being AWOL from the U.S. Army and for minor traffic violations during his early career.
10. James Brown
James Brown was arrested several times, including a 1988 arrest for attempting to escape police custody in South Carolina and for various drug charges.
11. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was taken in for disorderly conduct, following an incident of vandalism and minor assault.
12. Axl Rose
In the late ’80s, Axl Rose was arrested for assault following a bar fight. He later faced multiple legal issues due to cocert riots and other disputes.
13. Tupac Shakur
Tupac was arrested for an assault charge that led to a lengthy legal battle. He ended up serving some time in prison.
14. Jay Z
Jay Z was stopped by police in 1999 when they found illegal weapons on his person. The case was resolved without any major sentencing.
15. Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg was arrested in 1993 in connection with a murder investigation, but was not charged. Later in his life, he faced multiple drug possession arrests.
16. Biggie Smalls
Biggie was arrested multiple times for minor offenses, including drug possession and weapons violations in the early ’90s.
17. Jerry Garcia
Garcia was arrested multiple times in the ’80s for possession of illegal substances.
18. Steven Tyler
Arrested multiple times in the 1970s and 1980s for various drug-related offenses, reflecting the rock-and-roll lifestyle of the era.
19. Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis was arrested in the 1970s for tax evasion and several run-ins with the law related to alcohol and public disturbances. He ran into problems with the law again in the mid-70s for public intoxication.
20. Sid Vicious
Sid was arrested in 1978 for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen; he faced drug charges and was held in custody before his death.
Want to see more celebrity mugshots?
Check out 20 Mugshots of Famous Actors from the 1970s-1990s, or take a look at 20 Mugshots Of Prohibition Era Gangsters. Finally, if you want to see mugshots of the most infamous criminals in history, check out 15 Mugshots of the Most Infamous Criminals in American History.
