Pool News
Rolls-Royce Recreates One of Rock’s Most Infamous Poolside Legends
Rock and roll has produced its share of outrageous stories over the decades, but few have endured like the tale of Keith Moon driving a Rolls-Royce into a swimming pool. The story has circulated for generations in music documentaries, biographies, and late-night conversations among rock fans. It’s the kind of legend that perfectly captures the chaos of the late-1960s touring scene and the unpredictable personality of The Who’s famously wild drummer.
But like many stories from rock’s most excessive era, the truth behind it is far less certain.
What is known for sure is that a legendary party took place during The Who’s 1967 American tour. What remains unclear is whether a luxury automobile actually ended up submerged at the bottom of a hotel swimming pool.
The Birthday Party That Started the Legend
The story begins at a Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan. The Who were touring the United States when Moon decided to celebrate what he claimed was his 21st birthday. In reality, the drummer was turning 20, but that technicality didn’t slow down the festivities.
Accounts of the evening describe a party that quickly spiraled into chaos.
Guests reportedly began throwing food, smashing plates, and pushing one another into the hotel swimming pool. Furniture was damaged, decorations destroyed, and the growing crowd of revelers quickly overwhelmed hotel staff. Before long, the situation had escalated to the point where the police were called.
By the end of the night, the hotel had suffered thousands of dollars in damage. The swimming pool had become the center of much of the chaos, with partygoers repeatedly tossed into the water as the celebration escalated.
Somewhere within that mayhem, the story of a car ending up in the pool began to take shape.
The Rolls-Royce Story Everyone Knows
Over time, the tale evolved into something far more dramatic.
The most widely repeated version claims that Keith Moon drove his Rolls-Royce directly into the hotel’s swimming pool as part of the party. The visual is hard to forget: a gleaming British luxury car slipping beneath the surface while rock musicians and party guests cheer from the pool deck.
The story has been repeated so many times that it became part of rock folklore.
Even Rolls-Royce acknowledges the legend. In recounting the story, the brand itself has noted that, “Legend has it that while celebrating his 21st birthday, Keith Moon — the gifted but self-destructive drummer of The Who — plunged his Rolls-Royce into the swimming pool at the Holiday Inn in Flint, Michigan.”
Yet despite its popularity, historians and eyewitnesses have long questioned whether the incident actually happened that way.
Moon’s Own Version
Keith Moon himself offered a different explanation in later interviews.
According to his recollection, the car involved in the story wasn’t a Rolls-Royce at all. Instead, he claimed it was a Lincoln Continental belonging to another guest at the hotel. Moon said he didn’t drive the car into the pool but simply released the handbrake and allowed it to roll forward into the water.
Over the years, that account has become one of the most frequently cited attempts to explain what might have actually occurred during the party.
Conflicting Witness Accounts
Even Moon’s explanation isn’t universally accepted.
Some guests who attended the party later insisted that no car ever entered the pool that night. In their recollections, the story gradually became more exaggerated as it was retold in the years that followed.
That wouldn’t be unusual. Rock history is full of stories that grow larger with time, as memories fade and legends take on a life of their own.
What is certain is that the party itself was very real, and the damage to the hotel was significant enough to ensure the event would be remembered long after the band left town.
Why the Story Refuses to Die
Whether the car actually ended up in the water almost doesn’t matter anymore.
Keith Moon had already developed a reputation as one of rock music’s most unpredictable personalities. His destructive antics during The Who’s early tours became legendary. Stories circulated about smashed televisions, destroyed hotel rooms, and elaborate pranks that left hotel managers and tour promoters scrambling to contain the damage.
Given that reputation, the idea that Moon might have sent a car into a swimming pool didn’t seem particularly far-fetched. The story fit his personality so perfectly that it became accepted as fact in the eyes of many fans.
Even decades later, it remains one of the most frequently repeated tales from rock’s early touring era.
Rolls-Royce Recreates the Scene
Nearly sixty years after the infamous party, Rolls-Royce decided to embrace the legend rather than debate its historical accuracy.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, the company staged a dramatic recreation of the story. The photo shoot took place at Tinside Lido in Plymouth, England, a historic seaside swimming pool overlooking the harbor.
Rather than destroying a working luxury vehicle, Rolls-Royce used the body shell of an early Phantom prototype that had already been retired and scheduled for recycling.
The vehicle was carefully placed into the pool, partially submerged in the water.
The resulting images are striking. The Phantom rests beneath the surface while the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament rises just above the waterline, creating a surreal visual tribute to the rock-and-roll myth.
The recreation wasn’t meant to prove the original story happened. Instead, it served as a playful acknowledgment of the legend that has followed the Phantom for decades.
The Phantom’s Long Relationship With Music Culture
The connection between the Phantom and music icons goes far beyond the Keith Moon story.
Rolls-Royce vehicles have long been associated with musicians and entertainers who embraced the car’s bold presence and craftsmanship. One of the most famous examples came in the late 1960s when John Lennon commissioned a Rolls-Royce Phantom V painted in psychedelic colors and ornate patterns. The car shocked traditionalists but became one of the most recognizable vehicles in rock history.
Over the decades, numerous artists have owned Rolls-Royce vehicles, reinforcing the brand’s reputation as a symbol of success and creative individuality.
Rolls-Royce CEO Chris Brownridge acknowledged that relationship while discussing the Phantom’s legacy.
“Over the last 100 years, music artists have used Phantom to project their identity and challenge convention,” Brownridge said. “Their motor cars often became icons in their own right, with a lasting place in the history of modern music.”
Of all the models in the company’s history, Phantom remains the car most closely linked to that cultural influence.
When Pools Become Part of Pop Culture
For readers interested in poolside history, the Keith Moon legend highlights the role swimming pools have often played in cultural moments that extend far beyond recreation.
Pools have long served as gathering places for celebrations, parties, and unforgettable social events. From classic Hollywood poolside gatherings to modern luxury backyard entertaining spaces, the swimming pool frequently becomes the backdrop where memorable stories unfold.
In Moon’s case, the pool became part of a rock-and-roll myth that continues to float around the music world to this day.
What historians do agree on is that a chaotic birthday party took place in Flint in 1967, causing significant damage and cementing Moon’s reputation for outrageous behavior. Somewhere along the way, the story of a luxury car plunging into the pool became attached to that night.
Whether fact, exaggeration, or pure myth, the story has endured.
And thanks to Rolls-Royce’s recent tribute, the image of a Phantom resting in a swimming pool has now been recreated for a new generation.
Poolside Adventures and Landmark Aquatic have joined forces to bring big-impact attractions with a small footprint to aquatic facilities across the country. The partnership pairs Poolside Adventures’ AquaClimb®, AquaZip’N® and AquaNinja® FLX attractions with Landmark’s expansive nationwide reach and proven expertise in aquatic facility design, construction, renovation, and maintenance.
Poolside Adventures attractions add excitement to aquatic facilities without a major renovation because they anchor directly to an existing pool deck with no water hookups, special tools or added concrete and reinforcement. In fact, the modular AquaClimb® walls can start with one section and grow with budgets. The AquaZip’N® is rapidly becoming a new, safer alternative to diving boards as it only requires four feet of water depth, can be installed in just a few hours, and has a throughput of six riders a minute.
“Some municipalities can’t afford a new water park or perhaps cannot renovate their pool this year,” said Cherie Moy, VP of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships for Poolside Adventures. “Our products are an easy answer: a big impact with a small footprint, adding an ‘active attraction’ that makes the pool more exciting.”
“Landmark has a large footprint across the country, and we’re especially excited about their reach into HOA communities, a growing market where our partnership has already led to multiple installations,” said Moy. “Together, we will help clients find the right fit for their space, their budget and to add action and adventure to their pool experience.”
Matt Cappello, Vice President of Design at Landmark Aquatic agrees saying, “We’re excited to collaborate with Poolside Adventures to promote the versatility, ease of installation and entertainment value their products will bring to more pools across the country.”
About Landmark
Since 1967, Landmark Aquatic has helped communities and organizations bring complex aquatic facilities to life and keep them performing. Today, we are the nation’s largest integrated commercial aquatics platform, providing design, construction, renovation, restoration, and maintenance services nationwide. Our construction-led expertise and long-term service capabilities give customers one trusted partner across every stage of a facility’s lifecycle. For the life of your pool. Learn more at www.landmarkaquatic.com.
About Poolside Adventures
For more than 20 years, Poolside Adventures’ flagship AquaClimb® has led the market for poolside climbing walls. Its full line, including the AquaClimb® Luxe, AquaZip’N® and AquaNinja® FLX, delivers challenging, safe fun for swimmers of all ages. For more about Poolside Adventures visit www.aquaclimb.com.
Vic Harshman brings extensive pool building experience to key leadership role
- Decades of proven pool construction experience across Nevada, Arizona and Texas
- Previously served as Shasta Pools’ exclusive excavation contractor
- Predecessor handpicked Harshman to grow position under new leadership team
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (October 5, 2026) – Shasta Pools, Phoenix Metro’s most recognized pool builder, named Vic Harshman as Head of Residential Construction. Harshman joins the new leadership team with more than three decades of hands-on industry experience and a long-standing relationship with the company to one of its most critical leadership roles.
Harshman has held senior construction leadership positions in Arizona and Texas, and worked closely with Shasta Pools, developing firsthand knowledge about the company’s standards, culture and customers. The appointment reflects the momentum Shasta Pools has built since its August 6 acquisition by Dansons Capital Group, Accrual Equity Partners, and Hydro Construction, and positions the full-service 60-year old pool company for continued growth.
Leadership Perspective
“Vic brings exactly the kind of no-nonsense, customer-first leadership our residential construction division needs,” said Jeff Thiessen, President, Dansons Capital Group. “His philosophy is deeply aligned with ours. Keeping customers’ needs as the foremost priority at every stage of the build process is at the center of everything we do, and Vic lives that every day.”
Harshman’s career in pool construction began at age 19, when he purchased a backhoe and launched a business digging plumbing trenches and footings. When the housing market declined in the late 1980s, he relocated to Las Vegas and began excavating swimming pools, a move that led to the creation of Harshman Excavating.
Harshman built and operated excavation businesses in Nevada, Arizona and Texas, primarily serving the pool industry, and served for a period as Shasta’s exclusive excavation contractor.
In 2012, Harshman joined A&A Manufacturing, serving pool builders across an eight-state region and growing annual sales by 10x. In 2020, he joined Keith Zars Pools in Texas as Director of Construction, where he brought together decades of ownership, leadership and industry knowledge.
A Return Rooted in Relationships
“I have always believed that strong relationships, hard work, accountability and taking care of people are the foundation of a successful business,” said Vic Harshman, Head of Residential Construction, Shasta Pools. “Shasta has been a meaningful part of my career for many years. I am genuinely excited to come back and help lead this team into a very exciting future.”
Harshman steps into the role with the full support of Dan Thiessen, Chairman of the new ownership team, and John Mortensen, the outgoing head of residential construction. Mortensen recommended Harshman for the position and will now serve as the company’s lead trainer. That transition reflects Shasta Pools’ commitment to investing in its people and preserving institutional knowledge as the organization continues to grow.
ABOUT SHASTA POOLS:
Shasta Pools is Arizona’s trusted name in custom pool building, proudly serving the Valley since 1966. For 60 years, Shasta has transformed backyards into beautiful, functional spaces where families relax, entertain and enjoy life. The company specializes in new pool construction, remodeling, pool service and landscape design with plans for expansion into the home services market to provide customers with complete home care solutions. Learn more at ShastaPools.com.
ABOUT DANSONS CAPITAL GROUP:
Dansons Capital Group, headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a family-owned and family-managed investment firm built on shared values, integrity and long-term vision. The firm was established by the founders of Dansons, Inc., the company that launched and sold Pit Boss Grills. The company takes a hands-on approach, actively seeking opportunities across global markets and multiple asset classes. Its growing portfolio includes strategic real estate development holdings across multiple countries, oil drilling technologies, and limited partnership investments. Guided by a deep commitment to quality and the communities they serve, the Thiessen family leads with gratefulness for the blessings God has given them and in turn supports those less fortunate. Dansons Capital Group continues to identify and cultivate opportunities that reflect their family’s values and generational vision.
ABOUT ACCRUAL EQUITY PARTNERS:
Accrual Equity Partners (AEP) is a founder-led, privately funded private equity group built on the belief that every person, every percentage, and every product matters. This commitment, known as the “Power of One,” drives AEP’s mission to empower businesses and secure legacies across fragmented, service-based industries. AEP partners with founder-led and family-owned businesses to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential through strategic investment, operational performance enhancement, and advisory services. For more information, visit AccrualEquityPartners.com.
ABOUT HYDRO CONSTRUCTION:
Hydro Construction, LLC (HydroCon) was founded in 1986 to serve Arizona’s commercial pool construction and renovation market. Under the leadership of Curt Lonsdale, the company’s commercial pool construction division now manages some of the largest and most complex projects in the country.
Flowood, MS, October 1 – The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Ibe as Membership and Sponsorship Sales Manager and Rachel Smith as Membership Marketing Manager. The two new positions strengthen NTCA’s focus on membership growth, retention, engagement, and delivering greater value to members.
“Growing and strengthening our membership is a key priority for the NTCA, and Jennifer and Rachel bring the experience and expertise to help us do that,” said Jeremy Sax, Deputy Director of NTCA. “Their complementary skills will allow us to take a more strategic approach to both membership development and the overall member experience.”
Jennifer Ibe, Membership and Sponsorship Sales Manager
Ibe brings more than 10 years of experience in association events, sales, sponsorships, relationship management, and strategic growth. Most recently, she served as Director of Sponsorship and Sales for the Global Workspace Association, where she led major conferences, sponsorship development, budgets, and initiatives that increased attendance by 33% and profitability by 30%.
At the NTCA, Ibe will lead membership recruitment, retention, re-engagement, and relationship development while supporting sponsorship and partner revenue opportunities. She will also represent the NTCA at major industry events and help strengthen relationships with members and prospective members.
Ibe holds a B.A. in Communications from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rachel Smith, Membership Marketing Manager
Smith brings extensive association experience in membership, communications, digital engagement, and member programming. Most recently, she served as Digital Communications Manager for the Association of Electric Companies of Texas. Previously, as Director of Membership for the Texas Economic Development Council, she managed more than 1,000 members and developed programs to increase member engagement and networking. She also served as Membership Coordinator for the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, where she managed more than 5,000 members and led new-member onboarding and retention initiatives.
At NTCA, Smith will focus on member onboarding, retention campaigns, communications, digital engagement, webinars, events, and community development. She will also support membership analytics and digital initiatives aimed at strengthening the member experience.
Smith holds a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Social Justice from West Virginia Wesleyan College.
“Jennifer’s focus on relationship-building and membership development, combined with Rachel’s experience in member communications and engagement, gives us a strong team focused on every stage of the member journey,” Sax added. “We’re excited about what this means for our members and for the future growth of NTCA.”
About NTCA
Established in 1947, the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to the professional installation of ceramic tile and natural stone. It is widely recognized as the largest and most respected tile contractors’ association in the world. For those seeking to improve their tile business, NTCA provides unparalleled educational experiences, supportive peer interaction, unique cost-savings programs, and a commitment to help develop the skills needed to improve your work, recruit, train, and manage your employees, and ultimately, make your business more profitable. Find out more at www.tile-assn.com.
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