February 27: Keith Richards arrested in Toronto
On February 27, 1977, renowned rock ‘n’ roll icon Keith Richards faced a moment of distress near Barrie as he was arrested in Toronto. Staying at the upscale Harbour Castle Hotel by the waterfront, Richards was amidst a tour with his band, living the whirlwind life that accompanies fame. However, this day took a tumultuous turn.
Keith and his fellow band members were reveling in festivities that are typical of rockstars. Known for throwing raucous parties, the hotel management was accustomed to the noise and commotion. Nonetheless, this time, things spiraled out of control. Hotel security noticed suspicious substances in the room, leading to Keith’s involvement in the matter that caught the attention of law enforcement.
The police were summoned, and Keith was apprehended on drug-related charges. While he had a history of flouting rules, this incident made waves in Toronto and swiftly spread in news reports. Despite encountering legal issues in the past, the arrest was significant, drawing attention to Richards’ behavior.
Nevertheless, Keith’s run-in with the law did not diminish his status as a revered musician. Instead, it became a part of the rock ‘n’ roll legacy he had cultivated over the years. After posting bail, Richards carried on, firmly entrenched in the annals of rock history.
In the grand scheme of things, the arrest at the Harbour Castle Hotel did not hinder Keith Richards’ career but rather added to the mystique and intrigue surrounding him. For his admirers, it was just another captivating anecdote about the extraordinary life of one of the most iconic figures in music history.
So, the next time a Rolling Stones track plays, recollect the moment Keith Richards was taken into custody in Toronto, injecting an extra dose of vigor into the narrative of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s all a part of the ride.
On that same day in history, several other noteworthy events unfolded in the music industry. Such instances include Janis Joplin clinching a nine-week number one spot on the American Album Chart posthumously in 1971, Led Zeppelin’s performance in Australia in 1972 where Jimmy Page sported a clean-shaven look for the first time since 1970, The Who’s release of their first single after the demise of their drummer Kieth Moon titled “You Better Bet” in 1981, and U2 raking in a colossal $109 million in 2010, surpassing all other music acts.
Additionally, marking birthdays were Iron Maiden’s guitarist Adrian Smith born in 1957 and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s vocalist Johnny Roy Van Zant born in 1960. As we reflect on these significant moments in music history, it is heartening to observe local ties to the rich legacy of the rock genre. Rock on, and see you next time!