Early Monday morning, the legendary David Bowie passed away at age 69 after a 18 month battle with cancer, just days after releasing Black Star, his latest studio album. Instead of mourning, lets reflect on the good memories: Like the time Bowie and Iggy Pop were arrested with a half pound of pot in Rochester, NY.
While on tour in 1976, Bowie, Pop, and another anonymous stoner were busted by the vice squad in their three room suite in the Americana Rochester Hotel. Bowie was hauled down to the station with his impeccable style intact — he was wearing a three-piece suit with a matching grey hat.
From The Strut:
Cops busted 29-year-old Bowie, his buddy Iggy Pop and [a couple of ladies] at 2:25AM in The American Rochester Hotel following a concert in town. Bowie’s manager was able to free him on a $2,000 bail so he could make his next show date in New Haven, Connecticut.
He briefly returned to Rochester (much to the happiness of the fans) a few days later for arraignment (when this photo was taken) before heading back to the UK. Over 30 years later this photo was taken out of the trash at the estate sale of a retired Rochester police officer by Gary Hess. Hess then sold the 5×4 inch photo on ebay in 2007 for $2,556.
Bowie plead not guilty to the Class-C felony, and ended up paying everyone’s bail. Before he left the jail, the Thin White Duke posed for probably the greatest mugshot of all time.
Although Bowie and Pop faced up to 15 years in prison, the charges were ultimately dropped, likely because prosecutors couldn’t bring themselves to lock away a man with such a great mugshot.
Rest in peace, Ziggy Stardust Aladdin Sane Thin White Duke Major Tom David Bowie.
Featured image via The Smoking Gun
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