To the average person, thinking about the rock and roll lifestyle usually generates images of lavishness, fast cars, loud music, constant nefarious activity during all sleeping hours, and a whole lot of partying. This is true in many cases, but it’s only part of the picture.
Even the largest of rock stars, with the biggest of personalities, go home to a regular life where they do regular things just like regular people. (The only difference between our “regular” and their “regular” is about $5 million of net worth and nicer toys...lots more of ‘em.) The point is, they are people just like you and I. They like to go out and enjoy a night on the town or a walk through the park just like everybody else, but being a rock star is a little bit different than being an accountant standing in line for that daily morning Starbucks.
We, as average people, tend to put rock stars on pedestals, as if they glide on the clouds and soar with eagles. But the truth is, they are running errands and want to get them done so they can go back to doing whatever they were doing—without being bothered!
All high-profile celebrities need a low-profile ride to slide unnoticed around town. Maybe that explains why, even though many rock stars seem to prefer flashy $500,000 cars, there seems to be a whole handful more who prefer to drive around and something a little more humble (and a little less conspicuous).
Although humility is a quality that isn’t celebrated enough in today’s society, it doesn’t change the fact that some of these rock star pickup trucks have about as much taste as plain oatmeal before you add the oatmeal. (Sometimes, that’s the whole point though.) All of these trucks below are owned by rock stars, half of whom have impeccable taste while the other half drive around in what I will refer to as “aesthetic waste” for all the potential that was frittered away in favor of what you’re about to look at.
20 James Hetfield’s 1956 Pickup (Impeccable Taste)
Metallica’s James Hetfield has been screaming into the microphone to some of thrash metal’s all-time greatest hits since before you were born. The term “thrash metal” was coined by a journalist in February of 1984 to describe an Anthrax song at the time. The cutting edge and groundbreaking music from Metallica was belting music out in a new genre before it was even established, and Hatfield has come a long way from his piano lessons at age nine. With so much musical talent wrapped up in one man, it’s easy to oversee his automotive proclivities. Hetfield is actually a huge car guy, in fact, and it’s hard to appreciate how much of a truck his custom 427cid-powered driver is until you poke around it with your very own eyes. (Good luck on that one.)
19 Travis Barker’s ’51 Chevy Pickup (Impeccable Taste)
Travis Barker is possibly one of the most widely-known and well-loved musicians of the 21st century. He has amassed an astounding following throughout multiple music genres throughout his musical career. His head to toe tattoos ensured that he had to go hard for what he loved, as a 9-to-5 job is nearly out of the question for somebody that looks he just got released. Traveling to his hillside paradise, however, one could quickly conclude that there are far more respectable things going on at the Barker residence then formal probation. His 1951 Chevy pickup brilliantly shines in his driveway next to his 1964 Riviera and 1963 Impala—just a few of the vehicles on the Barker family roster.
18 John Mayer’s Ford Raptor (Impeccable Taste)
Catch John Mayer on his new single album available now—you won’t catch him in his Raptor. His New Light jam is out and available. Although it may not be your traditional “macho-man’s” cup of tea, Mayer’s wears his muscle on the road. Still, the ladies, no doubt, swoon over his smooth lyrics and his cheeky guitar riffs. He sings enough about sad love and other weird stuff to get girls hooked on that larynx like a bad habit. While some may call John an over-compensator with trucks like the Earth Roamer and the Ford Raptor on his roster, it could be just to keep him away from love-crazed fans trying to break into his trailer. (You only wish you had that problem.)
17 Rikki Rockett’s Shortbed Rocket (Impeccable Taste)
Rikki Rockett is a songwriter and rock musician with an estimated net worth in the $16 million neighborhood. Most famous for his participation as a drummer in the rock band Poison, Rockett essentially carried the band. Much of his drumming was given priority on Poison’s studio albums. It was this drumming, in part, that added the special ingredient to the Poison sound that would generate all that hype in the 1980s and 90s. Born in August 1961, Rockett’s taste for automobiles has a definite sweet spot for vintage steel. His custom 1950 Ford F-100 pickup truck is a classy example of what flat black and red rims can do for simple old Ford.
16 Eric Clapton’s 3100 Brizio Custom Five-Window (Impeccable Taste)
Eric Clapton is a musician of a different era, something made apparent by the sweet melody of that “classic rock sound” resonating through his humbuckers. The grace and elegance with which he puts his compositions together are almost as natural and autonomous as breathing itself. He’s one of the best guitarists in the world and the recipient of 18 Grammy awards, as well as the Brit award for outstanding contributions to music. A man like that isn’t going to go just anywhere for the pickup truck of his dreams, but what he will do is go to Brizio Customs to have a 3100, five-window pickup chopped up, ground down, and polished into a pristine showpiece. (That’s Clapton style, baby.)
15 John Bonham’s Model T Ford (Impeccable Taste)
As legendary as Eric Clapton’s music was, few music samples can touch the heights that Led Zeppelin achieved during the pinnacle of their success. Formed in London in 1968, the group consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist (and keyboardist) John Paul Jones, and legendary drummer John Bonham. The heavy, guitar-driven music caused them to be cited by some as one of the main progenitors of heavy metal. As with many rock ‘n roll legends, Bonham didn’t last as long as his natural life was scheduled, but that didn’t stop him from living it up like a rock star in his Model T until it all caught up to him.
14 Kid Rock’s Rocky Ridge K2 Sierra (Impeccable Taste)
Rocky Ridge assembles thousands of custom-modified trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps for hard-core, off-road abuse. They pride themselves in the exclusive use of only the best brands like Mickey Thompson, Flowmaster, and Fab Four in the construction of their top-tier builds. If you ask them, they will say that they build with manufacturer-quality craftsmanship; looking at their trucks, it’s hard to argue. So when you’re a multi-instrumentalist, country-rock singer-superstar with a net worth of over $80 million, your pickup truck has to embody a little bit more brute than your average Silverado. Kid Rock’s K2 package includes the Rocky Ridge Signature Series six-inch lift, 35-inch Mickey Thompsons, and a whole lot of extras like fender flares and LED light bars. Most impressive is the 2.9-liter, twin-screw supercharger that helps the K2 package generate 557 horsepower.
13 John Mayer’s Earth Roamer (Impeccable Taste)
For some reason or another, the pickup truck has become a platform for overcompensation to the extent that you almost can’t just like the aesthetic appeal of a lifted truck without static from haters. If this is true, and the truck is a symbol of overcompensation, it’s kind of funny that an artist like John Mayer (producing the content in which he does) would select to drive one of the baddest Ford trucks the face of the planet has ever seen. The Earth Roamer is basically an F-550 chassis with a high-end camper attached to the back. It’s a mash-up of a Hummer, Land Rover, and Jeep, with the luxury of a low-end Mercedes. Compensation device or not, this is one rad truck.
12 Johnny Van Zant’s ’55 Pickup (Impeccable Taste)
It becomes very apparent that events in the automotive landscape heavily influenced rock and roll singers and their affinity for the automobile. Older rock stars, having weathered the 1960s and 70s as children and adolescents, seem to prefer classic metal and iron-block power. Younger superstars tend to favor new model vehicles with electronic ignition and the finest luxuries that can be had in an automobile. Johnny Van Zandt’s 1955 pickup is a tribute to classic automotive history and was undoubtedly a big influence on him as a kid. He is best known as the current lead singer of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd and younger brother of late co-founder and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant.
11 Michael Jackson Jr.’s Ford Raptor (Impeccable Taste)
The exceptionally noteworthy (and highly controversial) life of Michael Jackson is a public litany of events that we’ve dropped our jaws at for decades, and Michael Jackson continued to top the charts. It is generally accepted that he is at the top of his trade; not many threaten that position, even remotely. The spotlight followed him wherever he went. However, he did have offspring that stayed largely in the shadows during his career. Upon Michael’s tragic end, an estimated $500 million of net worth was to be divvied out. Michael Jackson Jr. (rather than go out and buy a ridiculously flashy Maserati with a chrome wrap) opted for something a little more subtle, but made sure to differentiate himself from your average pickup truck owner with a Raptor trim package.
10 Lady Gaga’s Lightning (Aesthetic Waste)
And no (just in case you are wondering) the term “aesthetic waste” is actually not in reference to the Lady herself, (although it’s just about as relevant either way). Her real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germonotta, and after learning that, it’s no surprise that she would default to a four syllable name that sounds like something you would call your two-year-old daughter (rather than that birth name of hers). While this may have possibly been the best professional judgment call she’s ever made, good judgment calls are a long way off from her selection of transport. Of all the Ford Lightnings she could possibly have selected, she’s chosen one of the oldest Ford Lightnings money can buy, and in a color that can draw attention from space.
9 Aerosmith’s Very First Tour Bus (Aesthetic Waste)
Sometimes referred to as the “Bad Boys from Boston,” Aerosmith’s name is also commonly tossed around in sentences speculating who the greatest rock band of all time is. Their music captured a generation in transition and encapsulated the emotions of a culture shift and etched them into a vinyl disk. They were signed to Columbia in 1972 and shortly thereafter would release a string of gold and platinum albums as they went mainstream. As every band of heroes needs a chariot, Aerosmith’s humble beginnings began in their 1964 International Harvester Metro tour bus as their sole means of transportation for crew and gear. This little green beauty right here is where it all began.
8 Elvis Presley’s “Low Key” ‘48 Chevy Panel Truck (Aesthetic Waste)
Many people are familiar with images of Elvis Presley standing on stage, making women swoon by the handful, or cruising around in a bright pink Cadillac, gallivanting around town like life was going out of style. He knew how to live, he knew how to love, and he knew how to rock out. To be as famous as Elvis Presley may top your all-time list of wildest dreams but when you are Elvis Presley at the top of your game, your wildest dream is the ability to go out in public for five seconds without being ambushed by 10,000 paparazzi and their flashing cameras. It was exactly the kind of job cut out for this unimpressive panel truck that Elvis kept around specifically to sneak around town.
7 Marty McFly’s 1985 Toyota SR5 Pickup Truck (Aesthetic Waste)
The legendary Back to the Future trilogy captured the imagination of millions in the mid-80s with the budget-built DeLorean as the star invention of mad scientist Dr. Emmitt Brown. A young and spunky Michael Fox traverses both the Wild West and the (then) future of 2015 in the aluminum panel hatchback. But the diamond in his eye takes the form of a 1985 SR5 extra cab Toyota pickup. Although it may have been “fly” at the time (it didn’t take much in 1985), the humble Toyota pickup truck knows it doesn’t even stand a chance against Needles’ big, old Ford in a drag race. Marty is lucky Jennifer even got in that thing with him.
6 James Hetfield’s 2004 F-150 (Aesthetic Waste)
In addition to the big, purple, extended cab hot rod pickup, James Hetfield has owned a number of other very impressive (and highly unique) classic automobiles, definitively proving his deep-rooted love for classic steel. He’s commissioned some of the most impressive looking one-off builds, many of which are cover features in magazines, but one of his particular automobiles never had any business making it on the cover of Truckin' Magazine in April 2005 (which it did). Built by MTX audio, the truck is essentially a tribute to sound, and has the audio system to prove it. As unique as it may be as an automobile, surely the Metallica lead singer could have chosen something a little more appropriate to carry along their legacy of sound? (It’s Metallica, after all.)
5 Rob Zombie’s 1967 Ford F-150 (Aesthetic Waste)
Although technically the F-150 didn’t exist until 1975, Ford ran through about five generations before officially branding their half-ton pickup as an F-150. Rob Zombie’s F-100 pre-dates the standardization; and also sits as one of the greatest F-Series pickups Ford has ever produced. They were big and they were heavy; they were built like tanks. The issue with this Ford is the artist’s interpretation of what a tribute truck is, and although all of the custom work on it is top-notch, I’m not sorry to say the days of simply canvasing a graphic across a hood and calling it a “tribute” are gone. Plus, Rob Zombie deserves a little more effort than a steady wrist with a trick airbrush.
4 Johnny Cash’s Black Ford (Aesthetic Waste)
Now, as in the case with Sam Walton’s Ford pickup, Johnny Cash’s 2002 F-150 was one of his daily commuters and nearly the flashiest thing he would let himself be seen in. Sure, he had other cars (really nice ones, to0), but the black-wearing Arkansas-boy that canvased the nation in support of the poor and downtrodden chose to express himself mainly through his music. Cash enjoyed blending in with the hard-working middle-class folk he’d rooted for in so many of his songs. This vehicle was set to be put up at auction as his estate was being settled; it remains one of the last vehicles Cash drove on a regular basis before his passing.
3 Taylor Hawkins’ 1986 4x4 Toyota Pickup (Aesthetic Waste)
As if the Foo Fighters weren’t already likable enough as human beings (as well as the smooth-sounding musicians they are), they are extremely humble and down-to-earth for the level of fame and fortune that’s come with their highly-noteworthy career to befall them. Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins is a perfect example of the down-to-earth humility that a man should have even at such a high-profile station in life. Whether you can believe it or not, he still drives the same 1986 Toyota pickup truck that he did in high school; the 46-year old musician is worth $30 million and yet he drives a $4,000 pickup truck. (He also has an $8,000 Subaru Baja on standby.)
2 Guns ‘N’ Roses Tour Tractor (Aesthetic Waste)
Although they seem larger-than-life today, most Cinderella success stories have their fair share of substantial sacrifices along the way. The Guns ‘N’ Roses’ very first tour was punctuated by hardship before they even hit the stage when the band’s Buick Le Sabre broke down two hours away from the gig. Stubbornly resisting defeat, they hitch-hiked in the back of a semi-trailer and rode over 100 miles to get to their first show, a gig that only paid $100 to begin with. To add insult to injury, the club owner initially didn’t even want to pay them and he had to be “creatively-persuaded” to hand over the cash. (After riding two hours in the back of a semi-truck to play a few songs for a handful of sloppy drunks, you’d be ready to fight for your $20, too.)
1 Sam Walton’s Ford F-150 (Aesthetic Waste)
Walmart patriarch and one of the world’s richest men, Sam Walton, could have driven literally any stinking car on the face of the planet (anybody could with a net worth of over $48 billion). You would expect a guy like this to at least have a small warehouse full of cars stashed away somewhere but the bargain-business, retail juggernaut chose to drive a 1979 Ford F-150 4x4 until the day he died. He didn’t believe in change for the sake of change and this is probably one of the most reliable Ford trucks you have ever seen—it kept a billionaire satisfied with a bench seat, long bed, and a V8. (By the way, if you’re wondering why Walton sits amongst a list of rock stars, re-reference his net worth and compare it to yours. If you're feeling impressive thereafter, I’ll remove Walton and put you in his place.)
Sources: Rocky Ridge Trucks, RV Share, Classic Vehicle List, and Ford Trucks.