Blog 37: 6/3/23: Aviation overview: Rockstars who Rock the Skies
This week's blog is a bit of a departure from the norm. We are featuring rockstars -singers, bands, etc - who are completely at home in the skies.
Let's take a brief look at these skykings and skyqueens!
U2’s Boeing 757-300 on “The Joshua Tree” world tour, 2019.
U2 - UK-based famous rock band and supergroup U2 leased and uniquely stylized their plane, a custom Boeing 757-300, for at least 2 of their world tours in the last two decades.
Rolling Stones’ leased Boeing 737-400 taking off.
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith in front of a chartered jet
Credit: Goldmine Magazine
Rolling Stones - also leased out (but did not own) and customized a now-iconic Boeing 737-400. Photos can be seen in person at the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. See above.
Aerosmith - World-famous group led by equally-famous frontman Steven Tyler make a habit of flying at least chartered flights. it's unclear if they leased or bought it, but Aerosmith (and frontman Steven Tyler) used Cessna Citation 1 for great deal of their European tours.
Coldplay - bought and used their own Bombardier CRJ-700 not only for their tour but to advertise their band.
Elton John in front of STARSHIP ONE - Boeing 720
Elton John - and his husband leased their private Boeing 720P BBJ business jet while Elton was touring, and hired a stand up comedian (Pam Anne) to make fun of various celebrities while the three were on board. Later he upgraded to a Boeing 737-400.
Metallica’s unmarked Cessna Citation business jet.
Credit: Airliners.net
Metallica’s early McDonnell-Douglas DC-9, just prior to the St. Anger tour.
Metallica - Of course, the very well-known rockers and metal kings have their own plane. Metallica typically flies their black Gulfstream G-6400 to their North American shows.
Elvis - The popular-styled king of rock in his heyday had a custom Convair 880 named Lisa Marie, which he used for many shows. Rumor had it the aircraft a full size living room.
Bon Jovi’s successor to his Boeing 707. Early model Gulfstream.
Bon Jovi’s Original Boeing 707-330B jet on approach. Before he overran the runway.
Bon Jovi - Jon Bon Jovi loved his personal Boeing 707-330B so much that he accidentally crashed it upon landing, overrunning the runway and joked about it at the show. He leased small private planes thereafter.
Black Sabbath - owned their own Gulfstream G550 for travel to numerous shows around the world.
The award for ultimate skykings goes to:
Iron Maiden - frontman Bruce Dickinson personally flies (he's a licensed commercial pilot) the band's custom Boeing 747-400 Jumbo jetliner. Nicknamed after the band's mascot, “Ed Force One,” the white-on-black paint scheme is absolutely iconic. See above.
Honorable mentions: KISS - chartered, continuously, a Boeing 747-SP (nicknamed the “shorty”) from Pan Am airways.
Led Zeppelin - owned and operated their own Boeing 720P for numerous shows and tours.
Pearl Jam - Had a custom McDonnell-Douglas DC-8, a popular variant, for their tours. See right panel.
The Beatles - were known to charter flights with numerous airlines at the last minute for their shows. Ringo Starr made a point of adding “Tles” to the B.E.A. aircraft they were aboard to spell out “Beatles.”
Madonna - makes no secret that the icon flies commercial, and only on First Class. Madonna was recently seen on a British Airways flight from New York-JFK airport to London-Heathrow in a first class club suite.
Beyonce'- recently bought husband Jay-Z s personalized Bombardier Challenger 850 with leather and gold interior, a kitchen and a full size bedroom. That's the rumor, at any rate.
Rihanna - owns a custom Boeing Business Jet 777-BBJ that she flies all over the world. We know fairly little about it
Taylor Swifts unmarked Dassault Aviation Falcon 900 before “13” was stenciled on. The smaller Falcon 50 jet was sold off.
Taylor Swift - the millennial queen of pop owns two personalized business jets. A Dassault Aviation Falcon 900, and a Dassault Aviation Falcon 50. Both are very cozy and cat friendly. Update: Ms. Swift has since sold off her Dassault Falcon 50 during the latter stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving the proceeds to charity while she continues to fly her Dassault Falcon 900 emblazoned with her signature “13” logo on the tailfin.
Lady Gaga - does not own her own plane but had a 757-300 lent to her as a ‘thank you' gesture by Delta Airlines and their subsidiaries. She could not keep this plane but reportedly teared up at the customized interior, all styled towards her with Lady Gaga monogrammed pillows and bed.
