Rolls-Royce is celebrating 100 years of Phantom in the coolest way

The Rolls-Royce Phantom 100 celebrates music legends by bringing together one of the most famous luxury cars with the biggest names in entertainment.

Across a century, the Rolls-Royce Phantom has been linked to artists in jazz, rock, pop, and hip-hop.

The Phantom has been featured on stage, in films, and in album artwork.

As part of the centenary, Rolls-Royce is re-creating one of the wildest tales ever told about a rock star and their car.

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Rolls-Royce and the stars

The Rolls-Royce Phantom has often been chosen by major names in entertainment.

In 1930, Marlene Dietrich received a Phantom I on her arrival in Hollywood.

Elvis Presley later bought a Phantom V, fitted with a microphone, writing pad, and grooming accessories.

John Lennon turned his Phantom V into a symbol of the Summer of Love in 1967 by repainting it in bright psychedelic patterns.

Liberace created his own spectacle by covering his Phantom in mirrored tiles, driving it on stage in Las Vegas.

Sir Elton John, inspired by Liberace, updated his Phantoms with televisions, tinted windows, and custom audio equipment.

He even gave one of his Phantoms to another musician as payment after a tour.

Some stories became myths in their own right. Keith Moon of The Who was long associated with the tale of rolling a Rolls-Royce into a hotel pool.

The account has never been confirmed, but the story has endured for decades.

To mark Phantom 100, Rolls-Royce decided to replicate the myth.

At Tinside Lido in Plymouth, the same Art Deco pool where The Beatles were photographed in 1967, a Phantom was lowered into the water.

The stunt gave physical form to the legend and provided a memorable way to celebrate the car’s centenary.

Hip-hop takes the Phantom

In modern times, the Phantom found a new place in hip-hop.

Production moved to Goodwood in 2003, and Phantom VII soon appeared in videos and lyrics.

Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg drove a Phantom in the video for Drop It Like It’s Hot.

50 Cent and Lil Wayne also featured the model in their music videos.

By the mid-2010s, Rolls-Royce was the most referenced car brand in global music, with Phantom often the centerpiece.

The Starlight Headliner, described in songs as “stars in the roof,” became a hip-hop signature.

The feature strengthened Phantom’s reputation as a cultural symbol, while also highlighting its appeal as a luxury car for a new generation.

This ensured that the Rolls-Royce Phantom remained relevant while continuing its association with music legends.

The Phantom 100 celebration highlights how deeply the Phantom is tied to music history.

From Dietrich’s early film days to the dominance of hip-hop, the luxury car has accompanied some of the most influential artists in the world.

Its century-long story shows how the Phantom is as much a part of popular music as it is a cornerstone of automotive history.

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