Mick Jagger’s 1966 recording session for The Rolling Stones’ “Let’s Spend the Night Together” was interrupted by police, according to engineer Glyn Johns, who later described the incident in his memoir Sound Man: A Life Recording Hits with The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Eric Clapton, the Faces. Johns said Jagger had smoked a joint before two policemen arrived at the studio during their routine rounds. Because Jagger was singing in one room and the officers could not see him, they did not immediately realize who was inside. Jagger, meanwhile, was unaware that police had entered the studio.
According to Johns’ account, Jagger’s driver quickly left through the back with a bag of illegal substances, avoiding further trouble. Once the officers understood they had interrupted a recording session by the Rolling Stones, they apologized and left without escalating the situation. What could have become a serious problem instead turned into an unusual moment of creativity in the studio.
Producer Andrew Oldham asked to borrow the policemen’s nightsticks, and Jagger used them as percussion by striking them against each other. That sound was incorporated into the final recording, adding a distinctive rhythm to the track. The incident became part of the song’s backstory and reflected the unpredictable energy of the band’s mid-1960s recording sessions.
Jagger has spoken publicly about the pressure and disruption that came with constantly trying to avoid police attention during that era. He said it was not funny at the time and explained that it affected the band’s creativity and daily lives. Instead of focusing only on music, he said, they often had to spend their time dealing with police and restrictions, which took a toll on their work and freedom.
Despite the tension surrounding the session, the outcome helped shape one of The Rolling Stones’ best-known songs. “Let’s Spend the Night Together” was released in 1967 as a single paired with “Ruby Tuesday.” The track later became one of the group’s signature songs and remains tied to the story of the unexpected police visit that inspired part of its sound.
The anecdote highlights how accidents and interruptions sometimes influence music history in surprising ways. In this case, a potentially risky situation involving law enforcement and illegal substances ended without arrest and contributed to a memorable recording detail. The story also offers a glimpse into the chaos, improvisation, and spontaneity that often surrounded The Rolling Stones during their rise in the 1960s.
