Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

"She's my little rock and roll..."

"...my tits and ass with soul, baby."



Sweat. Drugs. Rock & roll. Semen.

Pamela Des Barres was the most famous rock & roll groupie of the 1960s and 1970s.



When she was in high school, during the early 1960s, Miss Pamela worshipped rock gods, such as Elvis, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The Southern California teenager used to fantasize about Mick Jagger in particular and even submitted a painting of his penis for a high school art class project. (She received an A).



A couple years later, by mingling hardcore with the rock music scene on the Sunset Strip, the stunning blonde finally got the opportunity to compare her painting with the real deal. Many times.



Her sexual conquests, in addition to Mick Jagger, included Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page, and Keith Moon.



When she wasn't busy befriending legendary musicians, Miss Pamela secured the position as a nanny for Frank Zappa's children. She became close friends with him and his family.



Frank Zappa even made her a member of his all-girl group, the GTOs, which was his opening act. The act was mostly performance art, since none of the beautiful young women could sing or play instruments. Eventually, the group disbanded because some of the members were arrested for drug possession.



The group only propelled her fame and lust for attention even further. In the 1970s, Miss Pamela began an acting career, appearing in movies, commercials, and a soap opera.



In the late 1970s, Miss Pamela began to grow up. She married musician Michael Des Barres in 1977, and they had a son a year later.

In 1987 she went on to write the best-selling memoir, "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie." It was followed up by the best-selling "Take Another Little Piece of my Heart: A Groupie Grows Up" in 1993. The acclaimed author also wrote pieces for Cosmopolitan, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Playgirl.



Miss Pamela is currently an ordained minister, who performs rock and roll weddings around the US. She also teaches creative writing workshops around the country as well.

Right now, HBO is creating a comedy-drama show titled, "I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie" which is going to star Zooey Deschanel as Miss Pamela. It is based on her best-selling memoir of the same name.


PS. Thanks for the love. ♥

65 comments:

Tabatha said...

Oh my gosh, I totally adore Miss Pamela :-) I read her book "I'm With The Band" several times & I've to admit I'd have loved to be such a famous groupie, too :-D She is such a free spirit, simply adorable.
Until I read your post, I thought I might be the only one who knows her, as most people seemed kind of indifferent when I began raving about her book, like "So you think being a prostitute for celebrities is something worth admiring?! You must be effing kidding me!"
Oh well, in my world she's cool :-D
Hopefully I'll be able to find the TV series online somewhere (as I doubt it'll make its way over the ocean) because I need to watch it! IMO Zoey Deschanel sounds like a good choice.

Fashion Cappuccino said...

Wow, I didn't know about her at all. I don't think I admire her lifestyle even though it sounds fascinating. I love Zoey Deschanel so I'll be watching the show :-).

You're welcome to go shopping with me anytime if we happen to meet in real life :-) xoxoxoo

Tights Lover said...

I'm never going to completely get over my regret of not living through the 70s...well...unless you want to count the first 2 years of my life...but that didn't quite get it done for me. It must've been such an amazing time to be alive.

The HBO show sounds amazing. Somehow I'm sure Zooey will be perfect in this role too. I can't wait to see it!

Cristine SM said...

Wow! Amazing pics!

Anonymous said...

Your posts are always so fascinating Jennifer!
It was really nice to get to know more about this lady, and I'm sure Zooey will make an amazing portrayal of her!

xxx
Vikki

http://stylometre.blogspot.com

Venus Loves Virgo said...

I vaguely remember her so all this info is great,what a life she led! Thanks for letting me know about the show. I might look into her memoirs as well. XOXO

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

Such an interesting post! Must admit-never heard of Miss Pamela, but she sounds like an extraordinary character. :)SArahD

Passion for fashion said...

Beautiful photos!!!!

Vix said...

She was a such a cool chick. I love the pictures but have no idea who this Zooey bird is who is playing her in the movie. Stuck in the 1970's, me? xxx

starbrained said...

You will always be my favorite Jennifer! The amount of cool people and celebrities I've discovered through your blog is endless.

MG said...

1) I will totally watch this.
2) I'm ordering the books on amazon right now.
3) zoey? I don't know about her...I'll have to see it before I fully form my opinion. But I'm just gunna put it out there - I'm skeptical.

xx,
MG

Laura Sherriffs said...

She led such a colourful, interesting life! And she was so beautiful also I love Zooey Deschanel and now can't wait for this new project!

http://fight-fires-in-your-best-clothes.blogspot.com

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

OMG ARE YOU SERIOUS! HBO IS!? ahhhh! I will watch every second of it! fan freaking tastic! great news! <3

xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

Anonymous said...

I'd never heard of her. I'll bet those autobios are interesting reads, though.

Courtney Erin said...

She wrote another one called Rock Bottom that is really great.

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

SMD said...

Wow, that's really cool that they're coming out with an HBO show! I've never really heard of Miss Pamela, and while I don't aspire to do the things she did, it's cool that she stood up for herself and got what she wanted--even though she was a woman. She really made it good out there!

Unknown said...

That's actually pretty intersting, and is it bad that I've never heard of her???

And I LOVE Zoey! Exciting.

Psst thanks for the sweet words on my blog hun!

rings said...

Scarves Scarves
Wish all of the network of friends have a new start .

MariahSmile said...

I want to watch that show! Love Zooey!

Natália said...

Wow! From groupie to an ordained minister! What a change in lifestyle!

Nikosmommy said...

Now this sounds like a srsly interesting show! I WILL be tuning in! Zoey is so quirky and free-spirited..she'd be perfect!

yiqin; said...

Totally gonna check the show out.

Fashion Gossip said...

Very educational :)
Xoxo, K.

Vanilla said...

I'll look forward to seeing the tv series :) I love Zooey Deschanel :)

Love, Vanilla

Kristen Leo said...

that girl is reall rock and roll!

Sherin said...

What a life!! She's really lived. She's so gorgeous! That drama series sounds really interesting.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much!
Interesting blog you have, i like the way you write :)
hope you´ll follow me!

Take care sweety!
xoxo

http://mirelamededovic.blogspot.com/

a woman's right to shoes said...

I didn't know that much about her. This was so much fun reading =)

Nia Langley said...

Wow! Very interesting story!

You have a new follower :) Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I'd really appreciate if you followed me!

nialangleyspeaks.blogspot.com

Adele. said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog it means alot to me. Great pictures by the way. I love your blog. I have just started following you please follow me back :)

http://petalsandbowsx.blogspot.com

Couture Carrie said...

Fun bio and pics!
Would make a great film I think!

xoxox,
CC

Lee Oliveira said...

Miss Pamela is absolutely fabulous. She is out there, fashionable and doesn't really give a word of what people say/said about her.
70's n 80's im sure were the best years to live!
lee x

David Macaulay said...

thanks for the post on my blog, Jennifer - you are so informative about things; I had never heard of this Pamela cat

Veronica said...

Wonderful!
You have a cute blog!
Follow me? I'll be very happy if you do it! Thank you so much!
www.cipollainspiration.blogspot.com

Jade Rat said...

I didn't knew this all, thanks for the information! I'm really intrested in rock 'n roll and things and kinda groupie too, haha. Your posts are really intresting, I'm gonna follow you!

Twenty.Something said...

She's stunning first of all! And secondly... what a life! I could only imagine... those were the days, those were the days (says my ex hippie father). Haha! Love her.

Bonnie said...

Who doesn't love sex, drugs, rock and roll, and semen?
Count me in.

http://glamkittenslitterbox.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Cafe Fashionista said...

Ooh, I have been dying to read that book. Actually, if you like Pamela, you need to check out the book "A Freewheelin' Time." Cross my heart you will love it - Greenwich Village, the 1960s, Bob Dylan's rise to fame...it is amazing!! :)

Bonnie said...

P.S. Your comment made me smile.
P.P.S. Your comments always make me smile. This is why we are bloggy BFFs.

http://glamkittenslitterbox.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Anonymous said...

love it.
so classic

love m.
acupofm.blogspot.com

Fashion is for idiots [like us] said...

aww thanks for your lovely comment! :) have a wonderful weekend!

fashion is for idiots [like us]

Tights Lover said...

...neon orange? No. Definitely not hot? At least not that I've ever seen...hahaha!

noone said...

her lifestyle sounds amazing, I've never heard of her but I was intrigured by your post!

Unknown said...

Can't wait for the HBO show!
Have a great weekend!
~Giselle
http://www.machinewashwarm.blogspot.com

Rachel @ The Haute Notes said...

That picture of her with the flowers in her hair is so pretty!

Tori said...

hmm....very interesting post. i always wish i could go back to the 60's and live in a such a carefree and rock n roll manner. she's seems to be quite an accomplished woman, although i still don't know how i feel about the whole groupie culture. i guess its hard not to become one so i'll have to hand it to her. thanks for opening my eyes up to this. have a great weekend!

amoreEggrorr.blogspot.com

modafobik said...

Wow wonderful post! I dont know all theseee! :O I learned with this post :) Thank you so much.

Have a nice weekend (:
Modafobik.

Venus Loves Virgo said...

Have a great weekend XOXO

Sisters and Sisters said...

Beautiful; such amazing pictures!

What do you think about follow eachother?
It would be nice if we could follow eachother, we hope to hear from you soon!


XoXo
H&C from Amstetdam
www.sistersandsisters.com

Kasia said...

Very inspiring!!!

<3
www.kasiabelhadri.blogspot.com

Bella y Cecile said...

LOVE THAT PICTURES!

really nice :)

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

Miss Zooey pure-as-the-driven-snow Deschanel is supposed to be playing a character similar to Pamela?! Whaaaa? I'm really curious to see how she pulls it off! Also, the book has been in my Amazon wish list fooorrreeevvveerrr--I really need to read it one day ;)

xx
MILK TEETHS

Daria Hutt said...

Drugs, Rock & roll and...

Semen?

LOL

^^

♥ El blog de moda de Daria Hutt

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I totally want to read that book now!

JoaNNa said...

hmm i dont really know her but she does sound like she has an interesting life story. rock and roll baby :p

Moniek said...

Great post and pictures!

btd. said...

Wow, this is very interesting! I never knew about Pamela before this article. I'm look out for this new show on HBO! :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

love your blog! this post is so dreamy and 70s. thanks for the sweet comment, follow each other?

http://thecoquetiquette.blogspot.com/

xo,
amy leah
the coquetiquette

Diego R. Wyatt said...

I can't wait to see Zooey as Pamela. I loved her book and her story is incredible! I also love that she was Frank Zappa's nanny hahaha!!! Where have all the groupies gone?

Diego
www.howtozipyourfly.com

Haute World said...

I've read some of her articles and heard about the new show. Can't wait to see what Zooey Dechanel will do with her character. Thanks for the great bio. She's definitely had a fascinating life, but it's refreshing that she turned it around somewhat, when so many will go on a downward spiral.

Míriam Juan-Torres said...

Beautiful post :)
xx

Sierra said...

she's an ordained ministers now?! oh the irony! looks like she was quite scandalous in her days - enjoyed learning about someone i hadn't heard about before!

Unknown said...

I think she is amazing she took her sexuality and she f'nd OWNED it. love this little fact feast

mirjam schuurkamp said...

i love miss pamela!

shes So great

Thanks for commenting on my blog!

New outfit post, Boyfriend jeans.

Xo model from holland

www.mirfashion.blogspot.com
everyday a new post.