Classic band RVs have been an essential part of rock and roll history, providing bands with a means to travel comfortably while on tour. Here are some iconic examples:
1. Grateful Dead- Vehicle: "The Bunkhouse"
- Details: The Grateful Dead's early tours often involved traveling in a converted bus known as "The Bunkhouse." This bus became a symbol of the band's free-spirited lifestyle and was famously decorated with psychedelic art.
- Vehicle: Tour Coaches
- Details: During their tours in the 1960s, The Beatles traveled in customized tour coaches. These vehicles were outfitted with comfortable seating, sleeping areas, and amenities to support the band's hectic tour schedule.
- Vehicle: Mobile Studio (Rolling Stones Mobile Studio)
- Details: The Rolling Stones created a legendary mobile recording studio in a converted truck, known as the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio (RSM). This studio on wheels allowed them to record albums on the road and was used by numerous other famous bands.
- Vehicle: "Starship" Boeing 720B
- Details: While not an RV, Led Zeppelin's use of "The Starship," a customized Boeing 720B, is worth mentioning. It was a flying luxury RV with bedrooms, a lounge, and other high-end amenities, allowing the band to travel in style during their 1970s tours.
- Vehicle: Customized RVs and Tour Buses
- Details: Bob Dylan, known for his extensive touring, has used various customized RVs and buses throughout his career. These vehicles were often equipped with living and sleeping quarters to support long tours.
- Vehicle: Honeysuckle Rose
- Details: Willie Nelson's "Honeysuckle Rose" is a famous tour bus named after his 1980 film and album. The bus is known for its comfortable interior and has become a symbol of Nelson's life on the road.
- Vehicle: Customized Tour Bus
- Details: The Who used various customized tour buses throughout their career, providing the band with essential amenities and a place to relax between gigs.
- Vehicle: KISS Tour Bus
- Details: KISS is known for their extravagant stage shows and equally impressive tour buses. Their customized buses are equipped with everything the band needs while on the road, from sleeping quarters to entertainment systems.
- Vehicle: Customized RVs and Tour Buses
- Details: The Allman Brothers Band, famous for their long tours, used customized RVs and buses that provided the necessary comfort and functionality for life on the road.
- Vehicle: Tour Buses and RVs
- Details: Known for their extensive touring, Phish uses customized buses and RVs that cater to the band's needs, offering a home away from home during their long tours.
Classic band RVs and tour buses are more than just vehicles; they are integral to the touring lifestyle of these iconic bands. These mobile homes on wheels provided essential amenities and comfort, allowing the bands to travel extensively while maintaining a semblance of normal life on the road.