Page 130 - VH Magazine N°187 - Novembre & Décembre 2020

dOLCE VITA I I Close Up

in MeMoRy of BRian JoneS

(1942-1969)

The Rolling SToneS in MoRocco
a BoheMian paRadiSe

BY PATRICK FERRITY

Busted By the Old Bill Ronnie Wood quipped, “It was a great their fateful trip to Morocco.
During the 1960s, sex, drugs, and rock start to the year!”. They wait for the The Kingdom has boasted many
and roll were very much alive. The verdict, which could result in prison famous guests. Robert Plant, Cat
year is February 1967. Mick Jagger sentences. The Rolling Stones decide Stevens, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix,
and Keith Richards leave Chichester to leave the hostile environment in the Frank Zappa, and Janis Joplin.
Magistrates Court in a hurry. The United Kingdom.
English press surrounds them in a Many in the establishment accused the Odyssey tO NOrth
frenzy. Jagger and Richards rush to the Rolling Stones of being a bad AfricA
a waiting car from the courthouse influence on the youth of the UK. The Morocco was a bohemian paradise in
after a well-publicized trial. The band felt the country had become akin the 1960s. The country was fashio-
crowd swells, held back by a line of to a police state … it was time to get nable yet authentic, attracting first-
police officers. They face serious drug the hell out of there! Even at this early class artists from around the world.
possession charges. The boys in blue stage, the morale in the band was low, Morocco acted as a sanctuary where
had raided the estate of Keith Richards and the youthful group looked to be many of the greats found solace. All
at Redlands in West Wittering. The flagging. The uncertainty with their were welcome to share in the rich
band looks as if it is in jeopardy. court cases led the Stones to begin culture and heritage of Morocco.

130 VH magazine Novembre & Décembre 2020