On This Day: January 16, 1980 - Paul McCartney Arrested in Tokyo for Marijuana Possession

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Pete

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On this day, January 16, 1980, Paul McCartney was arrested at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport for possession of nearly half a pound of marijuana. The legendary musician was detained for nine days, and the arrest led to the cancellation of Wings' highly anticipated Japanese tour.

McCartney’s arrest caused an international stir, as fans expressed shock and disappointment over the sudden cancellation. Despite the controversy, McCartney continued his musical career with unrelenting success, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest artists of all time.

Fun Fact: Paul McCartney later admitted in interviews that bringing marijuana into Japan was a “really dumb” decision, as the country has some of the strictest drug laws in the world.

Trivia Question: What is the name of the band Paul McCartney formed after The Beatles, which was on tour at the time of his arrest?
 
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