I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie (Paperback)

~ (Author), Dave Navarro (Foreword) "I get shivers whenever I see those old black-and-white films of Elvis getting shorn for Uncle Sam..." (more)
Key Phrases: Gram Parsons, Sir Paul, Sunset Strip

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fortunately, Des Barres injects humor into these accounts of degradation, which exemplify the subculture of rock music. As a California teenager during the wild 1960s, she attached herself to members of various rock bands and other celebrities. More bragging than confessional, the story explicitly details this particular groupie's sexual exploits with Mick Jagger, the late Brandon de Wilde, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page (he liked using whips and handcuffs to enhance sex, we're told here), future Miami Vice star Don Johnson and many others. Now in her 30s, Des Barres has recovered from longtime drug abuse as has her husband, Michael, a musician. Though still "making the scene," they have settled down somewhat, as parents of a son. There are profoundly sad, shocking revelations here, and the reader understands why John Lennon glanced at the groupie and her adolescent female gang in 1964, "his face full of contempt and sorrow." Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"She charms me every time she refuses to regret. And she regrets nothing."  —Los Angeles Times

"Sunny, uninhibited prose."  —Slate.com

"Her prose is...glittery, raw and real."  —Indie-music.com

"Should spur enough interest...that...her story can be made into the movie it needs to be."  —The WOW Report

"Granted it's gossipy, but it's also a worthwhile document of the blossoming of an innocent California flower-child."  —Star Tribune

"Eminently readable, offering all the fun of a trashy read without resorting to sensationalism or mean-spiritedness." —North Bay Bohemian

"A must-read for all lovers of great music and men."  —Playgirl

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Chicago Review Press; Updated edition (October 28, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 1556525893 ISBN-13: 978-1556525896 Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,114 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #4 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Country #36 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > History & Criticism #49 in  Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Rock

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!

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First Sentence:
I get shivers whenever I see those old black-and-white films of Elvis getting shorn for Uncle Sam. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Gram Parsons, Sir Paul, Sunset Strip

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 3 books:

• Bruce Springsteen by Rh Value Publishing in Front Matter
• Jim Morrison: Dark Star by Dylan Jones on page 10
• In the Dark by Ruth Stone in Front Matter

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Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Electric Ladyland by Lisa Rhodes

Discusses:

• real groupies
• plaster caster
• rock subculture

Electric Ladyland by Lisa Rhodes Discusses: real groupies plaster caster rock subculture Loading...

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Customer Reviews

74 Reviews 5 star:  (37) 4 star:  (17) 3 star:  (8) 2 star:  (6) 1 star:  (6)           Average Customer Review 4.0 out of 5 stars (74 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 43 of 44 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Vicarious Adventure Without the Disappointment, October 19, 2005 By  Nocturnal (San Francisco) - See all my reviews Amazon Verified Purchase After reading other books by other groupies (who adamantly refuse the title of groupie although that's what they were), I wasn't expecting too much but was so sweetly surprised. This is how I always imagined a groupie should be like--star struck, believing that by adoring and being available to these rock idols would somehow make these idols fall hopelessly in love. And no matter how many times she got her heart broken she kept believing, continued to be optimistic and open far longer than most of us would have been. I am glad Miss Pam did find someone to love who loved her back for awhile at least--she deserved it--and hasn't wound up a has-been with nothing of her own to lay claim to (as so many other groupies do). I enjoyed the adventure; she captured a slice of what life could sometimes be like for a flower child with stars in her eyes. 36 of 39 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Rock On Pamela!, October 22, 2005 By  Carol Williams - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I read this book a long time ago, before this latest re-release. It was so funny and I wish so much that I could have known Pamela Des Barres because her sense of adventure and her uncanny knack of putting it all down in print left me in awe of her. She led the life that I could only have dreamed of leading. Of course, there are people out there who would call her names and scorn her for what she did in her past, but all I can say is "You go Girl!" I suppose you could call this book No Holds Barres, because she was so candid and she let us all into her world and it was a world full of magic and love and such fun. I think Pamela would laugh if she could see the copy of my paperback book. It is covered in suntan oil and the ghosts of many Pina Coladas, since this was like my bible for many summers of laying by the pool. So many of the people she met went on to lead productive lives and are still in the limelight, others met an unfortunate demise, but one thing for sure, they all loved Miss Pamela and she loved them back. I think anyone would be lucky to have a friend like her. You would never get bored because the tales she has to tell would keep you interested for an eternity. Read the book, it's a rock and roll journey you don't want to miss. Love you Miss Pamela from a devoted groupie! 25 of 26 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars A great book for chicks & classic rock fans, April 14, 1999 By  Lori Newell (California's central coast) - See all my reviews This review is from: I'm with the Band (Paperback) This book is especially enjoyable if you're into celebrity "name-dropping" books. You won't believe some of the famous men that made Pamela's acquaintance! I don't name-drop, so read the book for yourself if you're intrigued. I will say, however, that among them are several musicians of the 60's & 70's and one actor who briefly made white suits popular again. This book will also be of interest to true classic rock fans. While the author is no Shakespeare, she sure knows how to spin a tale! I admire her because she followed her heart and lived an "alternative" but fulfilling lifestyle when other women her age married young and started breeding. Bravo to Pamela for lavishing in her youth and "getting it out of her system"! Read this if you're looking for something fun that'll keep you turning the pages...but not thinking too hard...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 2.0 out of 5 stars I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie I thought this book would be better than it was. It's boring and not very intersting due to how she wrote the book. Published 1 month ago by Cynthia L. Roberts 5.0 out of 5 stars pamela des barres this is by far better than the other hard cover book by her. and it it didn't quite go into as much detail as i hoped, but still very good. Published 2 months ago by Steven P. Grate 3.0 out of 5 stars panties on fire Pam Des Barres----GROUPIE -- 9-9-48. This book is about sex, drugs and rock n roll. Miss Pamela has talent. Read more Published 2 months ago by Bette B. Prater 4.0 out of 5 stars Rolicking Fun To be at the center of an exploding,once in a century "lifestyle" that invents itself as it goes along....the original "groupie" tells it all (tastefully).Famous names abound. Read more Published 2 months ago by Linda E. Mattison 5.0 out of 5 stars Dishy and fun! If you enjoy reading about sex, drugs and rock & roll, then this book will be to your liking. It's what I consider a "guilty pleasure" read - complete brain candy - filling, but... Read more Published 4 months ago by MsCindyBooks 5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating ! I liked this book so much, I recently re-read it on a plane trip from the UK to the USA. How anyone can say it's "badly written" or "boring" is beyond me. Read more Published 6 months ago by Mrs. L. Briggs 5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner! Couldn't stop reading! If you were ever fascinated with real rock and roll legends, read this. This woman has led the most fascinating rock and roll life anyone could ever dream of. Read more Published 6 months ago by Poet 5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Page Turner! I have read this book several times and always enjoy it. From the moment you pick it up, you can't put it down! Read more Published 6 months ago by M. Rose Elenz 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful This is a wonderful book ! Full of truth & honesty. Miss Pamela Lives her life without regrets but leaves it up to the readers to take what they will from it. Read more Published 6 months ago by D. M. Hanna 5.0 out of 5 stars VERY HIGHLY-RECOMMENDED! I have owned this book for years, and I still go back to it quite often when checking facts or just for fun. Read more Published 6 months ago by J. Franklin Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; Updated edition (October 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556525893
• ISBN-13: 978-1556525896
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,114 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Country
  #36 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > History & Criticism
  #49 in	Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Rock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Vicarious Adventure Without the Disappointment, October 19, 2005

By	Nocturnal (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

After reading other books by other groupies (who adamantly refuse the title of groupie although that's what they were), I wasn't expecting too much but was so sweetly surprised. This is how I always imagined a groupie should be like--star struck, believing that by adoring and being available to these rock idols would somehow make these idols fall hopelessly in love. And no matter how many times she got her heart broken she kept believing, continued to be optimistic and open far longer than most of us would have been. I am glad Miss Pam did find someone to love who loved her back for awhile at least--she deserved it--and hasn't wound up a has-been with nothing of her own to lay claim to (as so many other groupies do). I enjoyed the adventure; she captured a slice of what life could sometimes be like for a flower child with stars in her eyes.

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock On Pamela!, October 22, 2005

By	Carol Williams - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read this book a long time ago, before this latest re-release. It was so funny and I wish so much that I could have known Pamela Des Barres because her sense of adventure and her uncanny knack of putting it all down in print left me in awe of her.

She led the life that I could only have dreamed of leading. Of course, there are people out there who would call her names and scorn her for what she did in her past, but all I can say is "You go Girl!"

I suppose you could call this book No Holds Barres, because she was so candid and she let us all into her world and it was a world full of magic and love and such fun. I think Pamela would laugh if she could see the copy of my paperback book. It is covered in suntan oil and the ghosts of many Pina Coladas, since this was like my bible for many summers of laying by the pool.

So many of the people she met went on to lead productive lives and are still in the limelight, others met an unfortunate demise, but one thing for sure, they all loved Miss Pamela and she loved them back. I think anyone would be lucky to have a friend like her. You would never get bored because the tales she has to tell would keep you interested for an eternity.

Read the book, it's a rock and roll journey you don't want to miss.

Love you Miss Pamela
from a devoted groupie!

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A great book for chicks & classic rock fans, April 14, 1999

By	Lori Newell (California's central coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I'm with the Band (Paperback)

This book is especially enjoyable if you're into celebrity "name-dropping" books. You won't believe some of the famous men that made Pamela's acquaintance! I don't name-drop, so read the book for yourself if you're intrigued. I will say, however, that among them are several musicians of the 60's & 70's and one actor who briefly made white suits popular again.

This book will also be of interest to true classic rock fans.

While the author is no Shakespeare, she sure knows how to spin a tale! I admire her because she followed her heart and lived an "alternative" but fulfilling lifestyle when other women her age married young and started breeding. Bravo to Pamela for lavishing in her youth and "getting it out of her system"!

Read this if you're looking for something fun that'll keep you turning the pages...but not thinking too hard...