The rock ‘n’ roll era wasn’t just about the music—it was a full-blown cultural movement, and groupies were at the heart of it all. These devoted followers didn’t just cheer from the sidelines; they shaped the backstage world in ways that still echo through the industry today.
From the 1960s through the 1980s, the Groupie Phenomenon became an integral part of the rock scene. These individuals weren’t just fans; they were muses, influencers, and even confidantes to some of the biggest stars of the time. Their stories reveal a fascinating intersection of fame, passion, and rebellion.
The 12 wildest things behind the groupie lifestyle go far beyond stereotypes. These moments and revelations highlight the unpredictable, outrageous, and often misunderstood role groupies played in rock history, shedding light on a world as thrilling as the music itself.
Groupies Saw Themselves as Muses to Rockstars
Groupies weren’t just backstage supporters—they often served as muses. While many had intimate relationships with rockstars, others took on roles like caretakers or providers of essentials. Some, however, played a unique part in the creative process of the music world.
Chris O’Dell, for example, was immortalized in songs by famous rock bands. Her presence and influence were vital to some of the greatest rock legends.
Pamela Des Barres, a well-known groupie, considered herself a muse to Keith Moon. In an interview with The Guardian, she described how her calming presence helped Moon during his chaotic moments, showing how groupies contributed to the creative and emotional world of rock stars.
Substance Abuse Was Widespread
Substance abuse was rampant in the 1970s, particularly within the music scene surrounding bands like the Rolling Stones. Keith Richards appreciated Chris O’Dell’s ability to keep up with the lifestyle, but her struggles with drugs soon became a major issue.
After touring with the Stones, O’Dell’s addiction worsened, leading her down a dangerous path. In an interview with ABC News, she explained how her quest for the “perfect high” spiraled out of control.
O’Dell described how she mixed cocaine, Quaaludes, and alcohol in an endless cycle of highs and lows. She was always searching for balance, but never found it, illustrating the destructive nature of substance abuse during this era.
The Line Between Being an Employee and a Groupie Was Difficult To Draw
Chris O’Dell disliked being labeled a groupie, even though many saw her as one. She viewed herself as an integral part of the music industry rather than just a fan. In 1968, Derek Taylor, the Beatles’ press manager, saw her potential and invited her to London to work at Apple Records.
O’Dell’s love for music led her to this unexpected career path. She met Taylor and, by chance, found herself involved with the music scene on a professional level.
In an interview with ABC News, O’Dell recalled the excitement of her first days at Apple. She described how hearing Paul McCartney’s voice through the wall and meeting John Lennon and Yoko Ono in person turned her from an admirer to someone working alongside the legends.
Many Ex-Groupies Consider Their Relationships To Be Mutually Beneficial
Pamela Des Barres has a unique perspective on the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. She believes there’s a significant difference between Hollywood’s power dynamics and the music scene where she once thrived. In her view, groupies were often in control of their own involvement.
Des Barres pointed out that many women who followed rockstars weren’t coerced but chose to be part of that world. They wanted to be with the musicians, meet them, and experience the backstage life, which was different from the coercion seen in Hollywood at the time.
Reflecting on her experiences, Des Barres emphasized the mutual enjoyment that many groupies found in their relationships with rockstars. She recalled how unforgettable and exhilarating it was to travel with bands, be on stage, and live the high-energy, rock-and-roll lifestyle.
Groupies Were at the Front Row of Music History
Chris O’Dell had a front-row seat to some of rock’s most defining moments. As both an assistant and close friend to stars like The Beatles, she witnessed pivotal events in music history firsthand.
One memorable moment was when George Harrison confessed his love for Ringo Starr’s wife, Maureen. O’Dell recalls how Ringo’s calm response to the situation surprised everyone.
Ringo reportedly shrugged it off, saying, “Better you than someone else,” reflecting the close-knit, almost family-like dynamic among the band. This candid exchange was just one of many moments that showed how intertwined their personal and professional lives were.
Jimmy Page Requested Consent From One Groupie’s Mother to Date Her
Jimmy Page, the iconic guitarist of Led Zeppelin, found himself in a controversial situation involving Lori Mattix, a young groupie. Their relationship sparked significant discussion due to the age difference and the nature of their connection.
Mattix revealed that she was below the age of consent, which complicated her ability to travel with Page, leading her to wait for him in hotel rooms while he performed.
As things progressed, Mattix developed deep feelings for Page, placing him on a pedestal. Their relationship became serious enough that Page sought permission from her mother to date her. This request highlighted the complexities of their dynamic, especially considering the societal norms of the 1970s.
On at Least One Instance, a Groupie Was Able To Save a Rockstar
Bebe Buell, Liv Tyler’s mother, found herself in the unexpected role of saving rockstar Steven Tyler. After a night of partying, Tyler called Buell from a motel room, unable to move and surrounded by a dangerous crowd.
Buell, already a familiar acquaintance of Tyler, wasn’t hesitant to help. At 3 a.m., she answered his call and rushed to the Pierre Hotel in New York, where she found him incapacitated by drugs and surrounded by towering men.
Drawing on fireman training, Buell picked Tyler up, carried him to safety, and placed him in a bathtub at her friend’s apartment. The experience became a lasting memory, with Buell joking that it might have even led to the conception of her daughter.
It’s Not Always a Party With the Bands
Being around rock stars wasn’t always glamorous for Chris O’Dell. As a personal assistant and tour organizer, she witnessed the less-than-pleasant side of the music scene. Many artists, including the Beatles and Eric Clapton, showed their darker, unkind sides.
O’Dell recalls Clapton as difficult and lonely, especially when sober. She described him as “very empty,” offering a glimpse into the emotional struggles often hidden behind the rockstar persona.
She also noted that the Beatles’ behavior was often marked by sarcasm and cruelty. O’Dell attributed some of this to their Liverpool roots, but also recognized that their fame allowed them to act without consequences, leaving others unsure of how to respond.
Even Though It Wasn’t Their Task, Women Were Expected To Sleep With Musicians
Women, whether hired or fans, were often expected to meet the demands of the musicians they followed. In many cases, their duties extended beyond simple support, often blurring the lines of professionalism.
O’Dell, who worked closely with the Rolling Stones, revealed the unspoken nature of this expectation. She reflected that the arrangement with the band might as well have included a clause stating, “Sleep with Mick whenever he asks.”
This expectation was not officially part of the job, but it was heavily implied. The pressure on women to comply with such demands was a hidden reality behind the glitz and glam of the rock scene.
While on Tour, the Girls Did a Variety of Side Jobs
Touring with rock stars was a mix of fun and hard work. O’Dell, while enjoying the perks of working with big names like the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, was always on call for various tasks.
She was expected to handle everything from mundane jobs like putting buttons on Dylan’s shirt to urgent tasks like delivering harmonicas. O’Dell recalled a time when Dylan forgot his harmonicas, which led to an unexpected adventure.
Instead of taking the usual route, O’Dell and her team had to fly in a helicopter to deliver the missing instruments. As they approached Bob’s farmhouse, O’Dell looked up to see Dylan watching from his window, making it a surreal and memorable moment in her tour life.
It Was Difficult To Break Away From the Drug-Abuse Pattern
O’Dell found herself trapped in a cycle of drug abuse while chasing the “ideal high.” For several years, she struggled to break free from the grip of addiction, which left her with little memory of the period between 1979 and 1983.
In her memoir, O’Dell refers to this time as her “lost years.” During this dark period, she became deeply immersed in drugs, causing significant mental and physical strain.
O’Dell shared one vivid memory in an interview with ABC News, recalling how she couldn’t even make it down the stairs to her car for a hypnotherapy appointment. After taking too many Quaaludes, she was unable to manage even basic tasks.
Sexism and Double Standards Reigned Supreme in the Music Industry
The label “groupie” carries a heavy stigma, suggesting that women who spent time with musicians did so for sex and fame, rather than for the love of music. Women like Chris O’Dell and Pamela Des Barres were often involved in the same events as the male musicians they were associated with, yet they were seen as liabilities rather than peers.
Chris O’Dell believes that much of this negativity stems from deep-rooted misogyny. Women involved in the scene were often viewed with suspicion, especially by other women who feared losing their men to these “groupies.”
O’Dell reflected that the feminist movement hadn’t yet made its impact, and attitudes were vastly different from what they are today. She believes that women now would never tolerate such treatment.