Rock icon Mick Jagger has finally addressed one of the most notorious urban legends of the 1960s—the infamous Mars Bar scandal involving his former lover Marianne Faithfull. Speaking to reporters, the Rolling Stones frontman dismissed the decades-old rumour as "utter nonsense."
The myth, which has persisted for over half a century, alleged that Faithfull was discovered with a Mars Bar in an intimate context during a 1967 police raid on Keith Richards' Redlands estate. Jagger, now 80, laughed off the speculation, stating: "It's ridiculous how these stories take on a life of their own."
Police Confirm No Evidence Found
Newly uncovered police records support Jagger's claims, showing no mention of the chocolate bar in official reports from the raid. A former officer involved in the operation confirmed to investigators that the Mars Bar story was "pure fabrication" likely spread to sensationalise the arrest.
The Redlands raid became a defining moment in rock history, with Jagger and Richards facing drug charges that would later be overturned. Faithfull, who passed away in recent years, had long maintained the Mars Bar story was false, calling it "a malicious lie" that haunted her career.
How the Myth Took Hold
Cultural historians suggest the rumour gained traction due to:
- The counterculture movement's clash with conservative values
- Media sensationalism surrounding rock stars' lifestyles
- Public fascination with the Jagger-Faithfull relationship
Music biographer Emma Carmichael notes: "This myth perfectly encapsulated society's fears about the permissive 60s. The truth was far less scandalous than what people wanted to believe."
Jagger's decision to finally address the rumour comes as the Rolling Stones prepare for their upcoming tour, proving some legends from the Summer of Love still demand attention nearly 60 years later.
