Groupie
Encyclopedia
A groupie is a person who seeks emotional and sexual intimacy with a musician
or other celebrity
. "Groupie" is derived from group in reference to a musical group
, but the word is also used in a more general sense, especially in casual conversation.
Female groupies in particular have a long-standing reputation of being available to celebrities, pop stars, rock stars and other public figures. Led Zeppelin
singer Robert Plant
is quoted as distinguishing between fans who wanted brief
sexual encounters, and "groupies" who traveled with musicians for extended periods of time, acting as a surrogate girlfriend
or mother
, often taking care of the musician's valuables, drugs, wardrobe, and social life. Nancy Spungen
, who became the partner of Sid Vicious
of The Sex Pistols, is one such example; women adopting this role are sometimes referred to as "road wives." Cynthia Plaster Caster
and The GTOs
("Girls Together Outrageously"), with Pamela Des Barres
, in particular, as de-facto spokeswoman, are probably the best known groupies of this type. Another type of groupie were the young teenage girls who dominated the backstage scene in the seventies, sometimes referred to as the "Baby Groupies" by certain musicians. These girls started going backstage when they were fourteen years old and set a precedent at the time. The best known of this group were Sable Starr
, Lori Maddox, and Geraldine Edwards, who was the inspiration for Penny Lane in Almost Famous
.
Des Barres, who wrote two books detailing her experiences as a groupie – I'm With The Band (1987) and Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up (1993) – as well as another non-fiction book, Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon, asserts that a groupie is to a rock band as Mary Magdalene
was to Jesus
. Her most recent book, Let's Spend the Night Together (2007), is a collection of wildly varied interviews with classic "old school" groupies including Catherine James, Connie Hamzy
, Cherry Vanilla
, DeeDee Keel, Margaret Moser, and Patti Johnsen as well as modern groupies like Mandy Murders, Lexa Vonn and the Plastics. Des Barres, who married rock star-actor Michael Des Barres
, also persuaded cult actress Tura Satana, muse Bebe Buell
, actress Patti D'Arbanville
, and Cassandra Peterson
, better known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark to talk about their relationships with musicians.
According to Des Barres' book, there is at least one verified male groupie, Pleather, who followed female celebrities such as Courtney Love
and members of the 80s pop group The Bangles
.
"Apple Scruffs", from George Harrison
's album All Things Must Pass
, refers to the Apple scruffs
, a group of teenage girls who staked out The Beatles
' Apple Corps
offices, Abbey Road Studios
, and Paul McCartney's home, often sleeping outside in rough weather, waiting for a glimpse of a Beatle. The Beatles' song "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
" refers to the day a few Scruffs climbed into Paul McCartney
's house through an upstairs bathroom window and raided his closet for a pair of trousers
, which they took turns wearing. They also took a framed photograph, which they later returned at McCartney's request. The movie Almost Famous
revolves around the life of groupies (although they call themselves 'band aids' in the film). The famous "band aid" comment originated from a statement that Bebe Buell
made in an interview in the seventies. Cameron Crowe
incorporated it into his screenplay. In 1970 Groupie Girl
was released by American International Pictures
and was written by director Derek Ford
and Suzanne Mercer based on Mercer's experiences as a groupie.
Michael Jackson
was known to say that his number 1 hit song Dirty Diana
was written about a groupie.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
or other celebrity
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
. "Groupie" is derived from group in reference to a musical group
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, but the word is also used in a more general sense, especially in casual conversation.
Female groupies in particular have a long-standing reputation of being available to celebrities, pop stars, rock stars and other public figures. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
singer Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
is quoted as distinguishing between fans who wanted brief
Casual sex
Casual sex or hooking up refers to certain types of human sexual activity outside the context of a romantic relationship. The term is not always used consistently: some use it to refer to any extramarital sex, some use it to refer to sex in a casual relationship, whereas others reserve its use for...
sexual encounters, and "groupies" who traveled with musicians for extended periods of time, acting as a surrogate girlfriend
Girlfriend
Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-romantic friend that is closer than other friends....
or mother
Mother
A mother, mum, mom, momma, or mama is a woman who has raised a child, given birth to a child, and/or supplied the ovum that grew into a child. Because of the complexity and differences of a mother's social, cultural, and religious definitions and roles, it is challenging to specify a universally...
, often taking care of the musician's valuables, drugs, wardrobe, and social life. Nancy Spungen
Nancy Spungen
Nancy Laura Spungen was the American girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious. Spungen has been the subject of controversy among music historians and fans of the Sex Pistols.-Early life:...
, who became the partner of Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious
Sid Vicious was an English musician best known as the bassist of the influential punk rock group Sex Pistols...
of The Sex Pistols, is one such example; women adopting this role are sometimes referred to as "road wives." Cynthia Plaster Caster
Cynthia Plaster Caster
Cynthia Plaster Caster , whose real name is Cynthia Albritton, is an artist and self-described "recovering groupie" who creates plaster casts of famous persons' penises and breasts. She began her career in 1968 by casting penises of rock musicians. She later expanded her subjects to include...
and The GTOs
The GTOs
The GTOs were a "groupie group" that consisted of Miss Pamela , Miss Sparky , Miss Lucy , Miss Christine , Miss Sandra , Miss Mercy and Miss Cynderella...
("Girls Together Outrageously"), with Pamela Des Barres
Pamela Des Barres
Pamela Des Barres aka Miss Pamela is a former rock 'n' roll groupie, author, and magazine writer.- Early life :...
, in particular, as de-facto spokeswoman, are probably the best known groupies of this type. Another type of groupie were the young teenage girls who dominated the backstage scene in the seventies, sometimes referred to as the "Baby Groupies" by certain musicians. These girls started going backstage when they were fourteen years old and set a precedent at the time. The best known of this group were Sable Starr
Sable Starr
Sabel Starr was a noted groupie, often described as "queen of the groupie scene" in Los Angeles during the early 1970s...
, Lori Maddox, and Geraldine Edwards, who was the inspiration for Penny Lane in Almost Famous
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is a 2000 musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and telling the fictional story of a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater , and his efforts to get his first cover story published...
.
Des Barres, who wrote two books detailing her experiences as a groupie – I'm With The Band (1987) and Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up (1993) – as well as another non-fiction book, Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon, asserts that a groupie is to a rock band as Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
was to Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. Her most recent book, Let's Spend the Night Together (2007), is a collection of wildly varied interviews with classic "old school" groupies including Catherine James, Connie Hamzy
Connie Hamzy
"Sweet" Connie Hamzy is an American woman from Little Rock, Arkansas who is best known as a groupie who claims to have had sex with numerous rock musicians...
, Cherry Vanilla
Cherry Vanilla
Cherry Vanilla is an American singer-songwriter, publicist, and actress. After working as an actress in Andy Warhol's Pork, she worked as a publicist for David Bowie, before finding fame as a rock singer. She subsequently became a publicist for Vangelis.-Career:Kathleen Dorritie was born in...
, DeeDee Keel, Margaret Moser, and Patti Johnsen as well as modern groupies like Mandy Murders, Lexa Vonn and the Plastics. Des Barres, who married rock star-actor Michael Des Barres
Michael Des Barres
Lord Michael Philip Des Barres is a British actor and rock singer. He is known for playing the recurring role of Murdoc on the television show MacGyver and for replacing the late Robert Palmer in the band Power Station, fronting the band at the 1985 Live Aid concert...
, also persuaded cult actress Tura Satana, muse Bebe Buell
Bebe Buell
Beverle Lorence "Bebe" Buell is an American fashion model and singer, and Playboy magazine's November 1974 Playmate of the Month. She is also known for dating rock musicians. She is actress Liv Tyler's mother from a brief relationship with Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler...
, actress Patti D'Arbanville
Patti D'Arbanville
Patricia "Patti" D'Arbanville is an American actress and former model.-Early life:D'Arbanville, born May 25, 1951 in New York City, New York, is the daughter of Jean , an artist, and George D'Arbanville, a bartender, and attended PS 41 on Eleventh Street...
, and Cassandra Peterson
Cassandra Peterson
Cassandra Peterson is an American actress best known for her on-screen horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ wearing a black, gothic, cleavage-enhancing gown as host of Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation...
, better known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark to talk about their relationships with musicians.
According to Des Barres' book, there is at least one verified male groupie, Pleather, who followed female celebrities such as Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
and members of the 80s pop group The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
.
"Apple Scruffs", from George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
's album All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass
All Things Must Pass is a triple album by George Harrison, recorded and released in 1970. The original vinyl release featured two LPs of rock songs as well as Apple Jam, a third LP of informal jams...
, refers to the Apple scruffs
Apple scruffs
The Apple scruffs were a loosely-knit group of hardcore Beatles fans who were known for congregating outside the Apple Corps building and at the gates of Abbey Road Studios in London during the waning days of Beatlemania in hopes of seeing or interacting with the band members.In February 1968...
, a group of teenage girls who staked out The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' Apple Corps
Apple Corps
Apple Corps Ltd. is a multi-armed multimedia corporation founded in January 1968 by the members of The Beatles to replace their earlier company and to form a conglomerate. Its name is a pun. Its chief division is Apple Records, which was launched in the same year...
offices, Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
, and Paul McCartney's home, often sleeping outside in rough weather, waiting for a glimpse of a Beatle. The Beatles' song "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
She Came in Through the Bathroom Window
"She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" is a song written by Paul McCartney and performed by The Beatles on their album Abbey Road as part of the Abbey Road medley.-Origin:...
" refers to the day a few Scruffs climbed into Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
's house through an upstairs bathroom window and raided his closet for a pair of trousers
Trousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
, which they took turns wearing. They also took a framed photograph, which they later returned at McCartney's request. The movie Almost Famous
Almost Famous
Almost Famous is a 2000 musical comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe and telling the fictional story of a teenage journalist writing for Rolling Stone magazine while covering the fictitious rock band Stillwater , and his efforts to get his first cover story published...
revolves around the life of groupies (although they call themselves 'band aids' in the film). The famous "band aid" comment originated from a statement that Bebe Buell
Bebe Buell
Beverle Lorence "Bebe" Buell is an American fashion model and singer, and Playboy magazine's November 1974 Playmate of the Month. She is also known for dating rock musicians. She is actress Liv Tyler's mother from a brief relationship with Aerosmith vocalist Steven Tyler...
made in an interview in the seventies. Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe
Cameron Bruce Crowe is an American screenwriter and film director. Before moving into the film industry, Crowe was a contributing editor at Rolling Stone magazine, for which he still frequently writes....
incorporated it into his screenplay. In 1970 Groupie Girl
Groupie Girl
Groupie Girl is a 1970 British drama film based around the music scene, directed by Derek Ford and starring Esme Johns, Donald Sumpter and the band Opal Butterfly. The film was written by Ford and former groupie Suzanne Mercer....
was released by American International Pictures
American International Pictures
American International Pictures was a film production company formed in April 1956 from American Releasing Corporation by James H. Nicholson, former Sales Manager of Realart Pictures, and Samuel Z. Arkoff, an entertainment lawyer...
and was written by director Derek Ford
Derek Ford
Derek Ford was an English film director and writer, most famous for sexploitation films such as The Wife Swappers Keep it Up Jack! Sex Express , and What's up Superdoc! .Ford began as a writer in collaboration with his brother Donald Ford , originally...
and Suzanne Mercer based on Mercer's experiences as a groupie.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
was known to say that his number 1 hit song Dirty Diana
Dirty Diana
"Dirty Diana" is a song by American songwriter and recording artist Michael Jackson that is featured on Jackson's seventh studio album, Bad. The song was released by Epic Records on April 18, 1988 as the fifth single from Bad. The song presented a harder rock sound similar to that of "Beat It" from...
was written about a groupie.