Pamela Des Barres

Pamela Des Barres, July 2007

Pamela Des Barres (born Pamela Ann Miller; September 9, 1948) is an American author, magazine writer, and former rock and roll groupie. She is best known for her bestselling memoir, I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie, in which she details her experiences in the late 1960s and early 1970s music scene. Des Barres has been associated with numerous rock musicians, including Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, and Keith Moon, and is often cited as a key figure in the lore of the rock music industry of that era.

Early Life

Pamela Ann Miller was born in Reseda, California, to a family with a keen interest in music. From a young age, she was drawn to the burgeoning rock and roll scene, frequenting concerts and developing an affinity for the musicians who would become the icons of her generation.

Career

Groupie Era

During the late 1960s, Des Barres became a prominent figure in the rock music scene, embodying the "groupie" lifestyle, a term that she herself has embraced and redefined over the years. Her close relationships with several rock stars provided her with unique insights into the world of rock and roll, which she would later chronicle in her writings.

Writing Career

Des Barres' most notable work, I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie, was published in 1987. The memoir offers a candid look at her life as a groupie, including her romantic encounters and friendships with rock stars. Following its success, she authored several more books, including Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up and Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon.

In addition to her books, Des Barres has contributed to numerous magazines and online publications, sharing her perspectives on music, love, and the groupie lifestyle.

Legacy

Pamela Des Barres is often regarded as the quintessential groupie, having redefined the term to signify a woman with agency and an unabashed lover of music and musicians. Her writings have provided a unique female perspective on the rock and roll lifestyle, contributing to the broader understanding of music history and the dynamics of fame and fandom.

Personal Life

Des Barres has been open about her relationships and experiences, which have included both highs and lows. Her personal life, as detailed in her memoirs, reflects the complexities of navigating love and friendship within the fast-paced, often tumultuous world of rock and roll.

Bibliography

• I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie (1987)
• Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up (1992)
• Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon (1996)
• Additional titles focusing on her experiences and observations in the music industry.

In Popular Culture

Des Barres' life and work have inspired various fictional characters and storylines in films, television shows, and literature, highlighting her influence on popular culture's perception of the groupie phenomenon and the 1960s-70s rock music scene.