Rock ‘n’ Rolls

For nearly a century, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has been more than just a car – it’s been a stage for self-expression, creativity and cultural influence. From Hollywood stars in the 1930s to hip-hop icons in the 2000s, Phantom has consistently been the motor car of choice for artists who wanted to make their presence felt.

Marlene Dietrich arrived in California with a green Phantom I waiting at Paramount Studios. Elvis Presley commissioned a Midnight Blue Phantom V packed with bespoke features, while John Lennon turned his Phantom into one of rock’s most recognisable symbols when he resprayed it in psychedelic colours just before Sgt Pepper’s was released. Elton John and Liberace each made the Phantom part of their flamboyant personas.

Then there’s Keith Moon. The Who’s drummer became immortalised in rock mythology with the story of driving his Rolls-Royce into a hotel swimming pool – a tale so outrageous it has become one of music’s most enduring legends, whether or not it actually happened.

In more recent years, Phantom has been embraced by hip-hop culture, featuring in videos, lyrics and album covers from Snoop Dogg to 50 Cent and Lil Wayne. Even the marque’s Starlight Headliner has entered rap vocabulary, immortalised as “stars in the roof.”

As Phantom celebrates its centenary in 2025, it stands as more than a symbol of luxury: it is a canvas for creativity, a marker of success, and an enduring icon of icons.

Photos © Rolls Royce