The Rolling Stones made their one and only appearance on Saturday Night Live on October 7th, 1978. Just two weeks later, Mick Jagger asked the show's creator, Lorne Michaels, to testify as a character witness for Keith Richards in his drug trial. Richards had been arrested in 1977 after Canadian Mounties found 22 grams of heroin in his Toronto hotel suite, a charge that could have resulted in a life sentence. In Susan Morrison's new biography, Lorne: The Man Who Invented Saturday Night Live, she details how Michaels took it upon himself to help Richards, even buying him a three-piece tan suit for the hearing.
Despite his efforts, Michaels was anxious about perjuring himself because he knew Richards wasn't clean. During the Stones' SNL appearance, two of Richards' skits were cut in rehearsal because he seemed disoriented. However, when Michaels took the stand, the prosecutors only inquired about Richards' creative contributions. Michaels described Richards as "the catalyst of the band," which seemed to satisfy the court. Ultimately, Richards received a suspended sentence and was ordered to perform a benefit concert for the blind.
Fast forward to 1988, Richards returned to SNL as the musical guest, a moment that was humorously referenced during the show's 50th anniversary special. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosted a Q&A session with the audience, during which Richards jokingly asked if anyone had found the scarf he left behind in 1988. The camera then cut to Zach Galifianakis, who was wearing a scarf, adding a lighthearted touch to the nostalgic moment.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]