Power chords and horsepower is such a beautiful convergence. They go together, well, like rock and roll.
Early rockers frequently praised the glory of their little deuce coupes and hot rod Lincolns. Sammy Hagar proudly boasts about being unable to drive 55. Even car commercials play up the car-music connection — the classy clunkers the “old folks” drive are accompanied by sedate, classical music, while the fast, sporty models include plenty of screaming guitar riffs. The not-so-subtle message is: “Only rock stars like YOU are meant for a car like this.”
So what do the true rock stars use to get themselves from point A to point B? If they’ve already made it to the top, they no longer have to flip for who has to drive the van to the next gig. But if they want to hit the road — say, during awards nights or a night on the town — they’re probably not going to get behind the wheel of an economy car or something tame and sedate. They need metal that reflects their style, whether it’s the biggest Hummer the world has never seen or a luxury VW in Scottsdale, AZ.
While most sixty-somethings are settling into retirement, the frontman for Aerosmith likes showing he has plenty of miles in the tank, especially when behind the wheel of his one-of-a-kind Hennessy Venom GT Spyder that he purchased for $1.1 million. In addition to being considered the fastest car in the world (1,244 hp, 7.0 liter twin-turbo V8 0-200 mph in 15.9 seconds), Tyler specially requested a removable top, according to IBTimes.com. Apparently he’s looking for love in a convertible as well.
Go ahead and say he’s not a famous musician and face the wrath of every 13-year-old girl across the globe. As the Biebs recently pointed out, he’s truly an artist — an artist who KTLA says enjoys revving his white Ferrari F340 up and down residential streets late at night. He also accidently hit a photographer when several of them clustered around his car. Luckily the young superstar can afford a quality wax and buff every now and then.
You may not enjoy his taste in music or skinny jeans, but it’s kind of difficult to hate on his Ferrari.
There’s no better high priest of hip hop than the artist formerly known as Snoop Dog. Snoop’s been nicely laid back sipping on gin and juice in his convertible Bel Air ever since he made it big. According to Lowrider magazine, Snoop doesn’t need just any old hoopty to get around, but finds something that matches his personality. His garage includes a 1974 Cadillac, a 1969 Buick Riviera and a 1968 Pontiac Parisienne decked out in Lakers colors.
An American-made musician must drive an American-made car. This isn’t so much a doctrine but a lifestyle, at least to Motor City native Kid Rock. CMT tells us the car he drives in the “Born Free” video is his own 1964 Pontiac Bonneville. He paid $225,000 for it at an auction, not just because it looks cool, but because it was originally designed for Hank Williams Jr. Car stylist Nudie Cohn added longhorn steer horns, a leather interior, and a pistol for a shifter.
He’s not always thought of in the same category as some of the other rockers, but when you look at worldwide gross, the smooth-sounding Seal does pretty well. BornRich takes a peek at his holdings, including a Bentley Azure with a 6.75 liter V8 and Naim sound system; a sleek Phantom black Audi R8 with carbon-fiber reinforced ceramic brakes, and even a light green VW Beetle Cabriolet.
Singing the fine tunes earns some artists very fine rides. Whether it’s speed or style they’re after, these musicians turn a few heads when they take to the roads.
Creative Commons image of 1969 Buick Riviera by That Hartford Guy