There are ordinary cars. There are luxury cars. And then there is the Rolls-Royce Phantom. For a hundred years, it has quietly been the car that musicians want. It does not shout or boast. It simply arrives,s and everyone notices.
The Phantom celebrates its centenary in 2025. Over eight generations, it has remained the preferred choice for the world’s creative and influential music figures. From jazz halls to rock arenas, from R&B studios to rap videos, the Phantom has carried artists and their personalities in equal measure.
A car that made its own music
When it first appeared in 1925, the Phantom immediately caught the attention of Hollywood stars. Marlene Dietrich and Fred Astaire made sure their entrances included the car as much as their outfits. It was a statement that said elegance, wealth, and taste all at once.
By the 1960s, the Phantom had become part of rock culture. Sir Elton John adorned his with flamboyance. John Lennon turned his into a psychedelic icon. The Phantom could be part of rebellion and sophistication at the same time, which few cars manage.
Power and presence
The Phantom has never been about speed alone. Although the latest Extended Wheelbase model carries a 6.75-litre V12 engine producing 563 bhp and 900 Nm, capable of reaching 250 kmph, it is not about performance in the usual sense. The car’s real power is presence. Musicians do not just buy Phantoms. They customise them into personal statements. The car becomes part of the identity.
In recent decades,s the Phantom has appeared in R&B and hip-hop circles. Artists like 50 Cent have made it synonymous with success and style. There is no need for flashy lights or booming stereo systems. The Phantom’s quiet authority is enough.
Identity on wheels
What makes the Phantom so enduring in music is its ability to reflect personality. For me, it is understated elegance. For others, it is flamboyance and provocation. Each Phantom tells a story of performances, tours, and cultural moments. Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, describes it as a car used by artists to project identity and challenge convention.
A centenary moment
To celebrate 100 years, Rolls-Royce placed a Phantom Extended Wheelbase worth crores of rupees into the Tinside Lido in Plymouth for a photograph. The image is as dramatic as it is absurd, reminding us that this car has always been part of culture while remaining untouchable.
The Phantom has never been simply a transport. It is an instrument of expression. It adapts to every era of music. Jazz, rock, rap, or R&B, it fits into each world with quiet authority. Owning a Phantom is not about arriving. It is about performing without even moving.
