In 1978, “Saturday Night Live” kicked off its fourth season with an unconventional hosting choice: The Rolling Stones.
The legendary rock band pulled double duty as both host and musical guest, delivering an episode filled with the energy and unpredictability that defined their career.
However, what transpired after the show turned out to be even more surprising.
According to the newly released book Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live by Susan Morrison,
SNL co-creator Lorne Michaels found himself entangled in a legal matter involving Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards.
The book details how Mick Jagger personally asked Michaels to testify on Richards’ behalf in a Canadian court
to help prevent a potentially severe sentence stemming from a heroin possession charge.
The incident dated back to 1977 when Richards was arrested in Toronto after being caught with 22 grams of heroin, a quantity that could have led to a life sentence under Canadian drug trafficking laws. By the time the trial commenced in October 1978, Jagger sought out Michaels, a Toronto native, as a character witness, hoping his influence might help sway the court’s decision.
Michaels initially felt conflicted about testifying. He was well aware of Richards’ ongoing struggles with substance abuse, having witnessed them firsthand. His concern deepened when, before appearing in court, he saw Richards discreetly take a hit of cocaine in a backroom. However, as a proud Canadian, Michaels resolved that he would not perjure himself under oath.
Ultimately, Michaels’ testimony did not require him to lie. On the witness stand, he focused solely on Richards’ significance to music, calling him “the catalyst of the band” and highlighting the Rolling Stones’ cultural influence. The prosecution attempted to paint the guitarist as a bad influence due to the band’s lyrical themes, while the defense positioned Richards as a troubled but brilliant artist, likening him to Vincent van Gogh and Sylvia Plath.
In a shocking turn of events, the court opted for leniency. Instead of a harsh prison sentence, Richards was given a suspended sentence and was ordered to perform a benefit concert for the blind. It remains unclear whether the ruling was influenced more by Michaels’ testimony or by the heartfelt plea of a blind teenage fan who directly appealed to the judge. In the aftermath, Canadian media humorously dubbed the decision “blind justice.”
Reflecting on the case later, Michaels speculated that the Mounties had not initially intended to arrest Richards that night but were instead monitoring Margaret Trudeau, the 28-year-old wife of then-Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. She was reportedly in the same hotel with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, adding an unexpected political layer to the unfolding drama.
Beyond the courtroom drama, the book offers fascinating insights into the chaotic behind-the-scenes dynamics of the Rolling Stones’ time on SNL. To maintain their rock-and-roll credibility, the band requested that the audience be comprised exclusively of young music fans, avoiding “Elaine’s upper east siders, moms and pops, and showbiz folks.” Despite the strict guest list, the last-minute nature of the ticket distribution left empty seats, forcing NBC pages to scramble to fill them.
Security was tight, and expectations were high, yet the band’s unpredictable antics still caught producers off guard. Keith Richards, scheduled to appear in two sketches, was ultimately cut after failing to orient himself during rehearsals. Meanwhile, Mick Jagger’s tight-fitting trousers led to a battle with the network censor, who unsuccessfully tried to persuade costume designers to insist on him wearing underwear. During the performance of “Respectable,” Jagger raised further eyebrows by unexpectedly licking Ron Wood on stage.
Lorne Michaels’ involvement in Richards’ legal troubles and his experience managing the Stones’ unpredictable behavior exemplified the unpredictable and sometimes surreal nature of show business. While the Rolling Stones’ SNL episode remains a landmark in the show’s history, the story behind the scenes is just as legendary.
Susan Morrison’s book sheds new light on this extraordinary moment, revealing the intricate connections between rock and television, celebrity and justice, and how one of comedy’s most influential figures played a small but significant role in keeping a rock icon out of prison.
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