Hot Cars & Hard Rock

Written by Jeff Nolan, Hard Rock International’s Music & Memorabilia Historian

“I’m in love with my car, got a feel for my automobile…” – QUEEN

Car culture and rock ‘n’ roll have grown and evolved in such parallel ways that they’ve become two sides

of the same coin. Though the automobile obviously predates rock music by over half a century, car

culture as we recognize it in America was really born in the post-WWII Baby Boom. The newfound

prosperity, unprecedented leisure time and rise of the teenager as a consumer force inspired some of

Detroit’s most iconic creations – and it also inspired a new art form called Rock ‘n’ Roll (it’s no

coincidence that the first acknowledged rock ‘n’ roll song – Jackie Brenston’s 1951 hit “Rocket 88” –

celebrates the virtues of the then-new Oldsmobile 88). In the years that followed, cars have proven

among the most enduring of muses for rock songwriters.

There’s something about listening to music on a road trip that just makes it sound better. It doesn’t

matter if you’re driving a beat-up old jalopy with blown speakers or some exotic luxury machine with a

state-of-the-art sound system; music always has a special kind of impact when you’re on the road. For

most people, cars are their first taste of real freedom and everything sounds different with that freedom

in your head. Maybe that’s why the myth of rock ‘n’ roll ties so closely with the rise of car culture.

Historically convertible Cadillac’s have been placed in Hard Rock Cafes in locations such as Atlanta and

Orlando to reflect the open road and the lifestyle!

caption – 1960 Cadillac convertible from the Hard Rock collection

At Hard Rock, we’ve celebrated this connection from the beginning. Our legendary memorabilia

collection boasts incredible vehicles that truly celebrate the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll – many of which were

owned by the stars themselves. In fact, many of our cafes, hotels and casinos feature a classic car as a

sort of beacon – a piece of functional art that encapsulates what we’re all about. Here’s a great

example: this is a killer 1967 Camaro that was driven by James Hetfield of Metallica in the band’s video

for “I Disappear”. Upon completion of the video, the car was gifted to James who in turn donated it to

the Hard Rock.

caption – James Hetfield’s 1967 Camaro

Here’s an elaborately painted Trabant 601 that was part of the stage set for U2’s 1992 Zoo TV tour. This

unique little East German car featured a smoke-spewing two-stroke engine and a body made from a

cotton/plastic resin. U2 took a bunch of these strange little vehicles on tour and now three of them are

permanent parts of our collection.

caption – Trabant 601 used onstage by U2

This elaborately sequined Lincoln Continental limousine featured prominently in Madonna’s 2001

Grammy® Awards performance. It was driven onstage by rapper Lil’ Bow Wow (who was only 14 at the

time) and Madonna emerged from the back performing her hit “Music”. Hard Rock acquired it in 2006.

Would love to see the Madonna limo? Head to the Hard Rock All-Inclusive resort in Punta Cana.

caption – Madonna’s Lincoln limousine

Probably the most celebrated vehicle in the Hard Rock collection is also one of the most unusual – a

British-built Bedford VAL 14 tour bus. This instantly recognizable coach was used in the Beatles’ 1967

film Magical Mystery Tour. Part of the Hard Rock collection since 1988, it’s a fan favorite everywhere it

goes.

caption – The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour bus

Though cars are quintessentially rock ‘n’ roll, motorcycles are the ultimate expression of rebelliousness

and have been closely associated with rock stars from the beginning. Hard Rock owns many amazing

bikes, but this one is particularly spectacular. It belonged to Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx and was

pictured on the cover of the band’s 1987 album Girls, Girls, Girls. Wanna check it out? Head to the Hard

Rock Cafe on Hollywood Blvd!

caption – Nikki Sixx’ custom Harley Davidson

For over sixty years, car culture and rock ‘n’ roll have set the template for youthful exuberance and the

spirit of rebellion – and that’s unlikely to change any time soon. At Hard Rock we salute this blissful

union and encourage you to come celebrate it with us.