How Lorne Michaels Helped Keith Richards Exit Prison Following Rolling Stones'SNLHosting Gig

Mar. 15, 2025

Lorne Michaels; Keith Richards.Photo:Arturo Holmes/Peacock via Getty; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Arturo Holmes/Peacock via Getty; Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty

Lorne Michaelsonce helped keepKeith Richardsout of prison.

In October 1978, the Rolling Stones kicked offSaturday Night Live’s fourth season, pulling double duty as host and musical guest. Weeks later, Michaels, 80, would help the British rock band’s guitarist avoid a life sentence in prison from a drug charge in Michaels' native Canada as a favor toMick Jagger.

Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards in New York City in October 1978.Fred Bronson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Fred Bronson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Per Morrison’s biography, Michaels was in “producer mode” as he helped the “Miss You” guitarist prep for his court date. He helped Richards get a proper three-piece suit (albeit with a “loud tie”) to look presentable so he wouldn’t show up in his “pirate getup.”

The prosecutor sought for Richards to receive strict sentencing since the Stones' music encouraged drug use. Richards' lawyer argued that he was a “troubled artist.”

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According to Morrison, Richards, meanwhile, wasn’t clean and even “took a quick snort from a bag of coke he had in his pocket” in a backroom at the courthouse.

According to the biography, Michaels knew this, and he was concerned he would have to lie under oath while testifying for Richards. Luckily for Michaels, he didn’t need to.

Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in London in April 2016.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Samir Hussein/WireImage

While taking the stand, Michaels was only asked about Richards' “creative role in the Stones,” and called him “the catalyst of the band.”

TheSNLexecutive producer also said that the Rolling Stones were “the number one rock and roll band in the world,” which inspired him to choose them as the season 4 premiere hosts over Muhammad Ali.

Ultimately, the “Gimme Shelter” guitarist received a “suspended sentence and an order to play a benefit concert for the blind.” “Canadians would not want to put a real artist in jail,” Michaels reflected later on, Morrison writes.

Keith Richards in Vienna in July 2022.HANS KLAUS TECHT/APA/AFP via Getty

HANS KLAUS TECHT/APA/AFP via Getty

During their 1978Saturday Night Liveappearance, the Stones performed “Beast of Burden,” “Shattered” and “Respectable” from their albumSome Girls.

Richards attended theSNL50: The Anniversary Specialon Sunday, Feb. 16 to celebrate the show’s major milestone.

Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Liveis available for purchase wherever books are sold.

source: people.com