Rock star real estate: inside the homes of 11 music icons

Inside the most iconic rock residences in the world

When they're not tearing up the stage, these world-famous recording artists have plenty of cash to splash on luxury real estate and love nothing more than splurging like crazy on their homes.

From The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards to Elvis (via Aretha Franklin and David Bowie), these rock legends have shaped the history of music. But where do they retreat to after a lengthy tour or a hard day in the recording studio?

Read on to join us as we take a peek inside the luxurious, chic and sometimes downright surprising homes of rock's biggest icons...

Freddie Mercury

One of the greatest rock stars of all time, Queen’s Freddie Mercury was as famous for his flamboyant style as he was for his remarkable four-octave vocal range.

Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, his family moved to Britain in the wake of the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964. Mercury studied art and design near London before his career in music took off in 1973.

He composed many of Queen’s most famous hits, including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are the Champions’, but tragically died from AIDS-related complications in November 1991, aged just 45.

Freddie Mercury's Kensington villa, London, UK

Despite his success, he did not have a huge property portfolio. He owned an apartment in New York, but his main residence was this discreet Georgian-style villa in Kensington, London, which he bought for £300,000 ($384k), around £1.6 million ($2m) in today’s money, in 1978, according to British magazine Country Life.

Originally built in 1907 by the architect Ernest Marshall for artists Cecil Rea and Constance Halford, the seven-bedroom Garden Lodge, where he lived and died, went on sale for more than £30 million ($38m) in 2024.

Freddie Mercury's Kensington villa, London, UK

Mercury left his Kensington home and all its contents to his former partner and longtime friend Mary Austin, who lived in the house with her family until she decided to sell.

Although Mercury was known to be gay by the time of his death, he considered Mary his greatest confidante and the 1975 ballad ‘Love of My Life’ is dedicated to her.

“Ever since Freddie and I stepped through the fabled green door, it has been a place of peace, a true artist’s house,” she said at the time of the sale.

Freddie Mercury's Kensington villa, London, UK

Although wild in his performances, Freddie Mercury was a man of discerning taste. He commissioned interior architect and designer Robin Moore Ede to help him renovate the home. He used the finest materials to create what he called his “country house in central London.”

The dining room was painted citrus-yellow, reportedly Mercury’s favourite colour. The whole house was filled with priceless paintings and antiques, which Mercury collected throughout his life.

The home has a spectacular double-height drawing room, complete with a wrap-around gallery which serves as a library and bar, while the main bedroom is fitted with floor-to-ceiling mirrored doors, behind which he stored his clothes and stage costumes.

Freddie Mercury's Kensington villa, London, UK

While on tour in Japan, Mercury became fascinated by Japanese art and began to collect seriously. A 'Japanese room' leads out to the home’s Japanese-style garden, complete with magnolia trees and water features.

Prior to the sale of Garden Lodge, an auction of its contents of over 1,400 items was held in September 2023, providing a rare insight into the life of the iconic performer.

Items reflecting his love of Japan, devotion to cats and his flamboyant wardrobe, were on display at the Sotheby's showroom and included works by Fabergé, Dali, Picasso and Miró, as well as the German silver snake bangle he wore in the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' music video.

Gene Simmons

We love snooping around the homes of iconic musicians, and KISS star Gene Simmons has one of the finest.

Purchased for just shy of $1.4 million (£1m) in 1984, the star went on to spend around $12 million (£9.3m) sprucing it up, according to online property website Mansion Global.

Fans may remember the setting from the reality series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which ran for seven series in 2006, and starred his wife, former model Shannon, and their two children.

Gene Simmons' Beverly Hills mansion, California, USA

Don’t worry if it’s not ringing any bells however. The house is unrecognisable from how it looked in Simmons’ day.

The star sold the residence for $16 million (£12.4m) in 2021 and it has since undergone an expert renovation by LA-based design studio Nobel, that is truly transformational.

The re-imagined estate hit the market in May 2023 for a staggering $48 million (£37m), which is $32 million (£25m) more than Simmons sold it for in 2021. The property is still on the market for the reduced price of $39 million (£30.3m).

Gene Simmons' Beverly Hills mansion, California, USA

On close to two acres (0.8 ha) in the Benedict Canyon area of Los Angeles, surrounded by hills and woodland, the setting is unrivalled.

The entire structure of the main building has been re-invented as a one-of-a-kind modern barn house compound, featuring a series of terraces, as well as a knife-edge pool and tennis court.

The original building meanwhile, was more traditional Mediterranean in style with a pale yellow façade.

Gene Simmons' Beverly Hills mansion, California, USA

Simmons and his family would think they had walked into the wrong house, if they wandered into this magnificent living area on the main level with its Italian marble floor and double-height custom iron windows, which allow light to flood the interior.

The floor space alone now extends to almost 16,400 square feet (1523sqm), which is an increase of 3,000 square feet (914m), and the state-of-the-art furniture from Minotti, Henge and Baxter, is in sharp contrast to Simmons’ more classic choices in furnishings.

Gene Simmons' Beverly Hills mansion, California, USA

The home has 11 bathrooms and seven bedrooms, including two master suites, one of which has a cathedral ceiling, balcony, a sitting room and custom wardrobes, plus a bathroom with open double shower and a transparent amber-coloured bath.

Simmons said he sold the house because it had become too big for him and his wife, now that their two children, who were brought up here, have moved on according to website Blabbermouth.

But he won’t be too far away either, should he want to visit. Soon after the sale of this Beverly Hills estate in 2021, Simmons bought a spectacular modern mansion nearby for $10.5 million (£8.1m).

Celine Dion

One of the best-selling music artists of all time, Celine Dion has sold over 230 million records worldwide and won five Grammy Awards over the course of her career.

The Canadian singer achieved international fame with hits like ‘My Heart Will Go On’, the theme song for the film Titanic, which won an Academy and Grammy Award, and is recognised as one of the world’s greatest performers for her world tours and Las Vegas residency shows.

She closed the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on a stage at the base of the Eiffel Tower, seen here, with her first performance since she announced her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome in 2022.

Celine Dion's waterpark mansion, Florida, USA

With an estimated wealth of $800 million (£627m), Dion has an impressive property portfolio, but the undisputed ‘jewel in the crown’ is the so-called waterpark mansion she created with her late husband and manager, René Angélil, on Jupiter Island in South Florida.

The couple purchased two properties on the island in 2005 and 2008, combining them in 2010 to create the magnificent estate. It boasts 13 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms and a vast array of water features, which were built for the benefit of their three children.

Celine Dion's waterpark mansion, Florida, USA

Among the many five-star features at the 5.5-acre (2.2 ha) beachfront property are water cannons, a lazy river connecting two pools, bridges and a twisting waterslide. There’s another pool by the beach, as well as heaps of space so the songstress could take a well-earned rest.

Sadly, the family didn’t have too long to enjoy the fun before René underwent surgery for a malignant throat tumour in 2013, a recurrence of an earlier bout in 1999.

The couple listed their Bahamian-inspired estate the same year for an eye-watering $72.5 million (£61m), later reducing it to $62.5 million (£52m).

Celine Dion's waterpark mansion, Florida, USA

The two-storey 10,000-square-foot (929sqm) main house has a second-level wraparound terrace with ocean views and a clean neutral décor to create and calm and serene environment.

There are also two separate four-bedroom guest houses on-site for friends and family, as well as a tennis court, simulated golf range, pool house and beach house.

Dion took time out in 2014 to be with the family before resuming her Las Vegas residency in 2015. Sadly, she lost René to cancer in January 2016 and her brother just two days later.

Celine Dion's waterpark mansion, Florida, USA

The luxurious master suite was undoubtedly a haven during the early days of her husband’s illness. As well as the sleek bedroom, it boasts a walk-in wardrobe with automated carousels for quick access to shoes and clothing.

The house eventually sold in 2017 for the greatly reduced price of $28 million (£22m) as reported by American website Curbed Miami. Dion now spends most of her time at her estate in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson since announcing in December 2022 she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes muscles to spasm.

In documentary, I Am: Celine Dion, she revealed she is preparing a new show in Las Vegas, though when is yet to be announced.

Aretha Franklin

The very first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha Franklin has also twice been named the greatest singer of all time by American magazine Rolling Stone.

The dazzling vocalist, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2018, first made it to number one on the hallowed list in 2008 and was again voted best singer in January 2023. As Mary J. Blige told the magazine, “She is the reason why women want to sing.”

Lady Soul, as she became known, started out as a gospel singer in the 50s hitting the pinnacle of her fame in the 1960s with hits like 'Respect' and 'I Say a Little Prayer'.

Aretha Franklin's final home, Michigan, USA

Born in Memphis but raised in Detroit, Franklin moved to Los Angeles in the mid-70s, before returning to Michigan for good in 1982, where she settled and built a sizable property portfolio.

As well as the downtown Detroit waterfront condo where she died aged 76, she owned a further five properties in the surrounding suburbs, including this home in the affluent area of Bloomfield Hills.

Aretha Franklin's final home, Michigan, USA

With an estimated worth of $1.1 million (£870k), the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom home is spread over 4,148 square feet (385 sqm).

Built in 1990, the house has a contemporary feel, with double-height ceilings in the living room and a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows taking up one entire wall.

Marking this as the home of Aretha, the cherry-red grand piano commandeers the room. We can only imagine being one of the legend's guests, relaxing by the fire as the queen of soul, who was also a gifted pianist, entertained.

Aretha Franklin's final home, Michigan, USA

Given her iconic look of perfectly coiffed hair and sequinned gowns, this glam bathroom feels very 'Aretha'. However, Franklin's life wasn't always so glamorous. Twice divorced, she had her first child when she was just 12 years old and a second when she was 14.

Sadly, since the music legend's death, the question of who inherits her multimillion-dollar fortune has caused a rift between her children. It was believed Aretha had died without a will, but months after her death, two were discovered in one of her suburban Detroit homes, possibly inside this very home.

One, created in 2010, was found in a cabinet, while the other, dating to 2014, was located beneath a sofa cushion.

Aretha Franklin's final home, Michigan, USA

After a five-year family battle, the case went to trial in early July 2023 and it was quickly determined, after less than an hour of deliberation by the jury, that the 'couch will' could serve as the official document as reported by British newspaper The Independent.

According to The BBC, three of Franklin's sons have inherited homes from the singer's property portfolio, including her youngest son Kecalf Cunningham, who took ownership of the gated property where the later document was found.

Her eldest son, Clarence, has an unspecified disability and did not take part in the lawsuit, but his brothers have agreed to support him. Meanwhile, there is still some dispute over how to handle the star's music assets.

Elvis Presley

Bursting onto the scene in the mid-1950s, Elvis took the world by storm with his distinctive sound, melding rock 'n' roll with country, gospel and the blues.

He enjoyed his debut number-one hit in the US in January 1956 with 'Heartbreak Hotel', the first of more than 80 Top 40 hits in the US. He also scored a mammoth 138 in the UK.

Just one year after that first hit, Elvis bought Graceland, an 18-room mansion just south of Memphis, Tennessee, after his parents viewed it and put down a deposit of $1,000 (that's about $10.5k / £8.1k today).

Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland mansion, Tennessee, USA

Elvis paid $102,500 ($1.1m / £851k today) for the house, which had once stood on farmland. Set on almost 14 acres (5.6 ha), the house offered Elvis sanctuary from his overwhelming fame.

Built in the Colonial Revival style, this magnificent entryway was certainly fit for the 'King of Rock and Roll'. Stone steps flanked by marble lions and a soaring portico supported by four Corinthian columns would have greeted Elvis upon his return home from tour.

Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland mansion, Tennessee, USA

Inside, the décor reflects the height of fashion in the late 1960s and early 1970s. You can easily imagine Elvis relaxing on this 15-foot-long (4.5m) white sofa, or playing the baby grand in the music room, which is separated from the living room by vivid stained glass panels depicting peacocks.

Elsewhere on the first floor, you'd find Evlis' parents' bedroom, a lavishly decorated dining room dominated by a large chandelier.

There's also a den that became known as the Jungle Room, decorated in a Hawaiian theme inspired by the time Presley spent filming Blue Hawaii in the Aloha state. It was later turned into a studio where Elvis recorded his final two albums.

Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland mansion, Tennessee, USA

Down in the basement, Elvis's garish black and yellow TV room seems anything but relaxing. Yet this was the place the music legend could often be found watching three televisions at once, with a wet bar within easy reach.

Elvis bought a pool table in 1960 and installed it in another area of the basement. He remodelled the room in 1974 and swathed the walls and ceiling in 1,050 feet (320m) of pleated cotton fabric, which took three men 10 days to cut and hang according to international title Threads Magazine.

Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland mansion, Tennessee, USA

Elvis died in 1977, aged just 42. He's buried here in what used to be his meditation garden. He lies alongside his parents, grandmother, twin brother Jesse, who died at birth, his grandson Benjamin, who died in 2020 and his daughter Lisa Marie, who died from sudden cardiac arrest in January 2023.

Such is Elvis's extraordinary and enduring fame, 600,000 tourists visit Graceland each year and the original 13.8-acre (5.6ha) estate has grown to 120 acres (48.6ha) and includes a shopping centre, 450-room resort hotel, car parks and a motor museum.

David Bowie

Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, David Bowie was an innovative artist. Shifting musical styles and making daring fashion choices, he was dubbed the 'chameleon of rock'. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Much like his back catalogue, his New York City apartment is a piece of rock 'n' roll history. On Lafayette Street, between the sought-after neighbourhoods of SoHo and Nolita, the luxurious penthouse condo belonged to the iconic British singer from 1999 until his death from liver cancer in 2016.

The 'Life on Mars' singer paid $3.8 million (£2.9m) for the apartment in 1999, and we think it was worth every penny.

David Bowie's luxurious penthouse, New York, USA

Once part of the Hawley & Hoops chocolate factory, which dates to 1886, the building was converted into 30 luxury condos in 1999. Five storeys were added on top of the existing five-storey warehouse.

The masonry and original storefronts of the historic building were completely restored, as was a monumental copper cornice that was painstakingly copied from photos taken decades before when the original had been removed.

With such a history, we can certainly see why Bowie took a shine to it.

David Bowie's luxurious penthouse, New York, USA

The 5,090-square-foot residence, photographed here by Michael Weinstein of MW Studio, offers four bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as some seriously cool living areas where Bowie no doubt penned plenty of songs.

There's an open-plan great room, with an enormous west-facing terrace, a gorgeous library and an open kitchen. Bowie may have spent time recovering here after having a heart attack in Hamburg during a concert and cancelling his remaining performances for some time.

David Bowie's luxurious penthouse, New York, USA

Light-filled and decorated with sheets of glass, the spectacular modern home benefits from north, east, west and south exposure, allowing for obstructed views across the city from every single room.

The master suite is a breathtaking oasis, measuring 1,000 square feet (93sqm) and featuring a fireplace, dressing room, luxury bathroom and terrace.

David Bowie's luxurious penthouse, New York, USA

There's plenty of outside space, too, composed of an expansive rooftop deck, three terraces and a pretty garden, all of which allow for unobstructed panorama.

The stunning apartment landed on the market in 2021 and sold in less than 30 days for an impressive $16.8 million (£13m), but that's really no surprise at all!

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton has received a slew of accolades since he first made it big in the 1960s, including 18 Grammy Awards, four Ivor Novello awards and a CBE for services to music.

He's also the only artist ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, once for his solo work, and once each as a member of bands The Yardbirds and Cream.

For a man with such extraordinary rock credentials, you might expect his holiday home to be an extravagant mansion fit for a superstar, but you'd be surprised...

Eric Clapton's rustic farmhouse, Provence, France

This unassuming stone farmhouse, nestled away in the quietest corner of Provence, is the ultimate haven.

According to British newspaper The Times, that's exactly what the star loves about it. “Once you get through those gates," the rocker said, "it is like entering an oasis of calm. It is a perfect place to relax and unwind in complete privacy.”

Eric Clapton's rustic farmhouse, Provence, France

The 'Tears in Heaven' singer bought the retreat in 2002, the same year he married his third and current wife, Melia, with whom he has three daughters.

“I had, for some time, been wanting to find a property in the south of France where I could enjoy the weather and relax with the family in a quiet environment,” he said.

The large, white-painted spaces boast exposed beams and soaring ceilings, which are highlighted by the simple, sparse furniture that the couple picked out themselves, some of it from IKEA.

Eric Clapton's rustic farmhouse, Provence, France

The 10-bedroom home is spread over 6,500 square feet (604sqm) and has evolved and expanded considerably from its origins as a 17th-century sheepfold. There's also an additional two-bedroom guest house.

“Because of the way it is laid out, I can come here on my own and just use a few of the rooms without feeling that I’m rattling around,” Clapton said. “Likewise, we have had large groups over, and everyone can have their own space without being on top of one another.”

Eric Clapton's rustic farmhouse, Provence, France

The family's French housekeeper attests to how "very, very normal" they are, and Clapton appreciates the fact he can visit the local towns and buy a coffee "without any attention." His girls also loved to play tennis on the wonderful court and swim in the pool.

One wonders then, why on earth he decided to wave goodbye to the home, known as La Faissinette, in 2014, listing it for €3.3 million ($3.6m / £2.8m) with Home Hunts.

“Work and family commitments have made it impossible to come and visit for as long as we would really like,” Clapton admitted. “I will certainly miss the serenity here.”

Carole King

Carole King is one of only a few female artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once for her work with ex-husband Gerry Goffin and once as a solo performer.

Together, King and Goffin wrote the soundtrack to the 60s, including hits like 'Will You Love Me Tomorrow' and 'One Fine Day'.

Going solo after their divorce, the singer/songwriter cut multiple gold and platinum albums in the 70s. Her life story is even the subject of a Broadway musical, Beautiful. And with that in mind, let's take a look around her beautiful Idaho ranch.

Carole King's ranch, Idaho, USA

King, who wrote her first number-one hit aged just 17, has famously struggled with stage fright, which hindered her career at different points, so it makes sense that she had this amazing ranch to retreat to when she wanted to escape the limelight.

Tucked away in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, close to the Sun Valley ski resort, the property centres around a two-storey, five-bedroom log cabin.

With a large commercial kitchen, two stone fireplaces, a dining room, an office and a living room, the lodge has breathtaking river and mountain views.

Carole King's ranch, Idaho, USA

As well as the main house with its charming rustic interior, there's a two-bedroom 'owner's home' perched on a bluff above the creek, as well as a caretaker's home and eight historic log cabins.

Carole King also installed a free-standing, professional-level recording room, where the star no doubt spent a lot of her time. There's even a guest apartment on the second floor for fellow musicians to stay. If only these walls could talk (or sing!).

Carole King's ranch, Idaho, USA

Just like her evergreen, timeless home, King's career has endured over decades. Her 1971 album Tapestry remained in the charts for nearly six years, making it one of the most successful albums in history.

She also wrote 'Where You Lead' in 1971, which she revamped in 2000 to create the iconic theme song for The Gilmore Girls, which she recorded with her daughter. King even had a cameo in the show, appearing several times as the owner of Sophie's Music Shop.

Carole King's ranch, Idaho, USA

The incredible ranch covers 128 acres (52 ha) and includes stables and two hot water pools, heated by geothermal hot water springs, as well as this poolside shower surrounded by natural stone.

But despite the home's considerable charms, it seems King was ready to move to pastures new after 30 years and listed the house in 2013 for $9.9 million (£7.8m). According to Realtor, the home was on and off the market during 2018, before being sold for an undisclosed sum.

We can only hope King has moved somewhere else with a recording studio because we want to hear more from the legendary songwriter.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne

Although Ozzy Osbourne became well known in the 1970s as the outrageous frontman of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, the whole family came to prominence when they starred in the reality television show The Osbournes, between 2002 and 2007.

Sharon later became a judge on talent shows The X Factor and America’s Got Talent and the couple are said to have a combined wealth of $440 million (£339m), so it’s no wonder they have picked up a few lavish homes along the way.

The couple have had several homes in the States over the years, but their most prized residence is the Grade II-listed Buckinghamshire estate, nestled deep within the British countryside, they bought in 1993

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's manor, Buckinghamshire, UK

The British-born couple have vowed to return to the UK and retire at the red brick, two-storey home, as Ozzy continues his battle with Parkinson’s disease.

According to British newspaper The Sun, their British base is set to undergo some renovations and will feature a new 'rehab wing' to help the star with his ongoing health battle.

“We’ll live in our house in Buckinghamshire. America is changing. It’s becoming more scary,” Sharon told British newspaper The Guardian in February 2024.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's MTV house, Beverly Hills, USA

More familiar to fans of the family is the LA mansion that served as a stage for the clan’s MTV reality show The Osbournes, which paved the way for Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Real Housewives.

Believe it or not, the six-bedroom, nine-bathroom house, which is located on Doheny Drive in the heart of Beverly Hills, was brand new when the family moved in shortly before the show started in 2002, despite its period décor.

A mixture of Tuscan palazzo meets English country interiors, the home, seen here in these faded photographs, is filled with antiques and layered with rich fabrics and drapes.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's MTV house, Beverly Hills, USA

Much of the action in the show took place in this traditional country kitchen/ family room with its large range and cupboards laden with china and pottery.

A wicker sofa and chairs are upholstered in chintzy floral fabrics and there’s an Art Nouveau-style chandelier to complete the shabby chic look, which was constantly changing throughout the seasons.

Most people were surprised that the ‘Prince of Darkness’, as Ozzy was known, should live in such cosy warm surroundings.

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne's MTV house, Beverly Hills, USA

There were more chandeliers and patterned textured wallpaper in the master bedroom and this eclectic bathroom, which also features a marble sink with a floral skirt.

The couple sold the estate to Christina Aguilera in 2007 for $11.5 million (almost £9m), who turned the Mediterranean-style mansion into a glam pad with bold colours and whimsical furnishings.

When the singer and husband Jordan Bratman filed for divorce in 2010, the home hit the market in early 2011 for $13.5 million (£10.5m), eventually selling for $11.5 million (almost £9m).

Phil Collins

In 1970, drummer and singer Phil Collins joined a burgeoning band called Genesis. Pioneers of progressive rock, they flourished in the 1970s and 80s, before Collins exited in the early 90s.

Collins's discography includes eight solo studio albums that have sold 33.5 million copies in the US alone.

With over 150 million albums sold worldwide, Genesis is one of the world's best-selling bands, so we suspect Collins could easily afford the $33 million (£25.4m) he splashed on a stunning mansion in Miami Beach, Florida in 2015. Let's take a tour...

Phil Collins' Miami Beach mansion, Florida, USA

Dating back to 1929, the beautiful waterfront estate has an 11,039-square-foot (1,029sqm) interior, a huge garden and skyline views across glistening Biscayne Bay.

The pricey celebrity pad sits on a 1.2-acre lot (nearly 5,000 sqm) behind a long gated driveway surrounded by palm trees and must have been the perfect playground for his five children, including Emily in Paris star Lily Collins.

Phil Collins' Miami Beach mansion, Florida, USA

The charming, Mediterranean-inspired residence features oversized living spaces decorated with 150-year-old reclaimed hardwood, arched windows, rotund ceilings and ancient wood beams.

There's a light-filled family room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a chic dining area where Collins, who retired from performing in March 2022, hosted plenty of VIP friends.

Phil Collins' Miami Beach mansion, Florida, USA

Elsewhere, you'll find a huge kitchen with white marble counters and chef-grade appliances, as well as a stunning master suite that offers unobstructed views across the water beyond. There are six bedrooms and eight bathrooms in total, making this the perfect pad for entertaining.

Outside, there's a billionaire backyard, complete with a meditative garden, a 6,000-gallon (over 27k litres) koi pond, a swimming pool, a spa and a soccer pitch.

Phil Collins' Miami Beach mansion, Florida, USA

Yet Collins isn't the only VIP owner of this pad. In fact, the property was formerly owned by none other than Jennifer Lopez.

She reportedly purchased the property in the early noughties, before selling up in 2005 for $13.9 million (£10.8m). In February 2021, Collins also waved goodbye to the estate, this time for $39.3 million (£30.5m). How's that for property appreciation?

Keith Richards

Keith Richards grew up in Dartford, Kent, England before a chance meeting with Mick Jagger saw him join one of the most iconic bands in the world, The Rolling Stones.

Rolling Stone Magazine credits Richards for “rock's greatest single body of riffs” on guitar, once ranking him 4th on its list of 100 best guitarists. Married since 1983 to Patti Hansen, an American model, he has two daughters as well as three other children from previous relationships.

With a rumoured collection of over 3,000 guitars, Keith needs some big houses to store them. As well as homes in West Sussex, England, NYC and the Caribbean, there's one (more temporary) property Richards left his mark on...

Keith Richards' party pad

This house in Laurel Canyon, California was owned in the 1970s by Skip Taylor. He was a big name in the music business, working as tour producer and promoter for bands like The Doors, Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt, Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin.

Around 1978, Skip moved out of the house and rented it to Richards, who was at the height of his fame. He would soon regret this as Keith threw a huge party and, literally, burned the house to the ground!

According to American newspaper The LA Times, "All that remained of the original 1930s house was the circular staircase to the California basement."

Keith Richards' party pad

Incense left burning caused the gas fire in the home to explode while Richards slept. He and a friend barely escaped as the roof of the home fell in—a terrifying end to a party.

When the home was rebuilt by the current owner in 1981, he discovered part of an old vintage labyrinth of pathways and patios between this house and next door according to the website TopTenRealEstateDeals.com, although this rumour is hard to back up.

Today the interiors are far calmer, with a neutral colour palette throughout and chic furnishings.

Keith Richards' party pad

The English Tudor-style home is set back from the private estate and accessed by a footbridge over a babbling creek, which sounds simply charming.

The 4,000-square-foot (372sqm) house has five bedrooms, four baths, formal rooms, family room and library. The kitchen features custom Calcutta marble counters and hardwood floors.

Keith Richards' party pad

There's a liberal use of white which makes the home seem light and airy. The master suite seen here has a mix of Tudor-style windows and modern large panes.

Outside is a new pool, spa and outdoor kitchen with views over a grassy field with pergola and south-facing Lavender Nature Retreat. When it last hit the market in 2024, the house was priced at $3.7 million (£2.9m)—not bad for a place with such an impeccable rock pedigree.