Random Most Insane Keith Richards Stories on Record (17 items)

(#12) That Time He Avoided Life In Canadian Prison

In February 1977 Keith Richards was in Canada, apparently doing a lot of heroin. He was detained after police found his stash in his hotel room, and charged with "possession... for the purpose of trafficking." The charge can come with a prison sentence of seven years to life.

His passport was confiscated and he was held in the country until the following April, when he received a medical visa for treatment for addiction and returned to the US. In the end, the charges were dropped to possession; he pleaded guilty and was granted a suspended sentence.

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
(#10) That Time He Was Interviewed By Hunter S. Thompson
Words can't do it justice. Even before the interview begins, Richards defensively greets Hunter at the door with a cattle prod and it only gets weirder from there.
(#6) That Time He Was Nearly Electrocuted Onstage

In one of Richards's earliest brushes with the end, the guitarist was almost wiped out on stage in Sacramento in 1965. Stepping to the mic for his backup vocals on "The Last Time," he noticed it was facing the wrong way and went to knock it with the neck of his guitar. This was a dangerous move. The shock knocked Richards unconscious and burned his guitar strings.

He later referred to the incident as his “most spectacular” moment and credited his salvation to his brand new rubber soled boots.

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
(#7) That Time His Bed Caught Fire At Nellcote

In 1971 Richards and his girlfriend, Anita Pallenberg, were renting villa Nellcote in the south of France whilre recording Exile on Main St. They were also really, really into heroin at the time. It was not uncommon for Richards to pass out with a needle in his arm or a lit cigarette in his hand.

The latter became especially problematic when his bed went up in flames. The couple fortunately had just enough time to escape.

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
(#16) That Time He Somehow Avoided Jail Time For Possession

In 1973, Richards was charged with possession, including a stash made up of grass, cannabis resin, Chinese heroin, Mandrax tablets, burnt spoons, syringes, pipes, and a loaded handgun, rifle, and 110 rounds of ammo.

He claimed the bust was a police set up and said the handguns belonged to his tenant, getting himself out of another incident.

Source: Ultimate Classic Rock
(#17) That Time He Was Pulled Over In Fordyce, AR

The fact that Richards and Ronnie Wood were arrested in Fordyce, AR, is apparently legendary within the town. After leaving lunch, Richards, who was driving an Impala, was pulled over for reckless driving. Officers thought they smelled pot on the pair and searched the car. Instead of finding pot, cops found less than two grams of coke in a briefcase supposedly belonging to passenger Fred Sessler.

Richards passed the sobriety test, but was cited for carrying a hunting knife, which was considered an illegal weapon.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture