What Life As A Groupie Was Actually Like In The 1970s 

Were you aware that this is how things were back then?

A lot of rock stars should have been arrested for sleeping with minors. The laws were the same in the 70's.

Those photos of 14 year old girls, looking terrible in "grown up" makeup, are just disturbing. If there were boys their age around, that might be another thing, but for these men to look at those children and actually find them desirable...that's why the images are disturbing.

Are you kidding? Superexciting and romantic? Jimmy Page had a 13 year old girl stashed in a hotel room, behind a guard, so he could have her in between concerts. There's a word for that.

I am so grateful that I had strict parents who cared about me.

If a girl has to spend hours alone in a hotel room waiting for a guy while he's performing for a concert, she's not "doing it for the music."

in the early 80s, I dated rock musicians for 10 years and I had the coolest wardrobe you’ve ever seen in my life. I was wearing cat suits with short crop jackets and over the knee suede boots. And the biggest fluffiest curliest most beautiful black long hair you’ve ever seen. God I miss those times. 10 best wasted years of my life.

It's amazing what people will tell themselves in terms of lies to protect their child selves.

The Bands that were disgusted by their groupies NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Children have an excuse. These adult men have NO excuse. They are Filthy and the nerve they have to act like they are superior. And to the Media; this was NOT NORMAL BEHAVIOR except in Band and Groupie corners of the World. I've never known anyone who has a groupie

Nah I don’t think anybody mentally mature would ever think being groupies was exciting and even “romantic”💀💀 Though things like this still happen today, I’m glad it’s being brought into the light and is becoming more looked down upon. I listen to a lot of rock bands from the 70s to the 2000s and eventually found out that most of them engaged in groupies. I’m most definitely disgusted and horrified, but their music still hits😭 This is where I learned to separate the art from the artists. I wish all the victims well (yes they are all victims even if they deny it) because nobody deserves to go through what they went through🙏

The phrase 'Sex and drugs and rock and roll' is amazingly accurate.

Groupies were used. God rest her soul but “Sweet Connie” as Grand Funk sang about recently passed as an older person with not much to show for all the time she spent with rockers. Staying away from rockers would have been wiser but people make mistakes.

That awkward moment when you see a picture of your mom in a RU-vid video!…. 😂

Knew Lori, lived with her Mom and sister for a few weeks at 18. Met Lori when I was in high school. My bf was friends with Lori’s sister’s boyfriend. I use to go to the Rainbow and would run into Lori in the 70’s. She was always nice to me when we saw each other. Introduced me to Zepplin while she was sitting with them at the Rainbow. They all shook my hand as I was introduced to each member. She introduced me to Keith Moon at the Rainbow too. Took me backstage at a Yes concert and invited me to a party for Bad Co in the Hollywood Hills. We never hung out. Worlds apart as far as lifestyles go and she is much younger, but because I was friends with her sister, she was cordial towards me. FYI… Lori is alive, happily married, and has an adult son from another relationship. Groupie days were a long time ago. She moved on and created a life for herself. Why can’t everyone else?

Some of our favourite musicians were P D O files.

Older guys coming onto me started at 13, they creeped me out and I made sure to hang around guys my own age. One time a guy offered me $3000 to sleep with him, he showed me the money stashed in a brown paper bag. This was at work there were other adults egging me on, I was 17 and kept saying no in the end they let me go. There was a lot of this in the 70s I was innocent and pretty, the creeps were everywhere I could see it in their eyes even when they were trying to be nice. I rejected all jnvitations and made sure never to be alone with any of them.

My friend was a groupie in the mid 90’s and got knocked up by a 35 year old musician. She gave the baby up for adoption, never told the guy. She was 16 when the baby was born. Years later the teen daughter wanted to meet her, I was honored to be there!

All the people that don’t see anything wrong in adults having intercourse with minors are honestly disturbing individuals. The rethoric that “but she wanted it” is absurd to me. Teenagers are full of hormones, of course they are horny all the time, but it doesn’t mean that adults should take advantage of it. Many of those girls were abused, because they didn’t know any better and that’s no wonder, because we grow and mature biologically way faster than mentally. Adults really should know better.

I'm not judging, just wondering: If it was "never about sex but always about the music," why was there sex 99% of the time?

Almost Famous was still a great movie with an awesome cast. Maybe not completely accurate, but it is still just a movie after all.

In the 90's I was brutally attacked by a famous band member and I wasn't even a groupie. I was a singer and trying to make it in a man's World. We were recording at a mutual "friends" house and he bent down and viciously bit me on the breast, leaving teeth marks. I went home and was in shock over it, because my "friends" could clearly hear me over the mic and didn't save me. I guess because they were trying to be cool in front of this SNAKE (that's a hint for who he was-without me being sued for defamation). I suppose that he might have been insulted that I wasn't aware of who he was. I had always listened to different music than what he played. I have no idea why he attacked me ,but to this day, I wish that I had him arrested. He is on Instagram, pretending to be this great, spiritual guy now, but I know the truth. Sure, people can change, but I saw pure evil in this toothy, big haired 6"4 or so guy.

I've seen some interviews where the bands talk about these ladies, and it's not very nice. These women gave up their chance to get an education, career or a family of their own and their ex-lovers don't want to acknowledge them at all.

When I was working as a concert rigger in the early 2000s.. Some American rock bands (like Korn) were still doing this.. with youngsters.

Pamela Des Barres 1987 memoir “I’m with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie” was a very interesting read, there’s always two sides to every story and women, were definitely a huge part of rock “n” roll. She speaks very highly of Robert Plant and they’ve remained lifelong friends.

I grew up around people tied to rock stars groupie have always creeped me out a bit

All I can think about is all the VD that must have been passed around. How any woman can enjoy that lifestyle is beyond me.

this is the BEST story you've done on your page❤ thank you..... wil be saving this video 😁

"The life of a groupie might sound super exciting and romantic." Uh no.

I recall touring years ago and we had a saying; "Wow, you're really pretty...do you have a washing machine?"

Level headed and well done documentary. I also like the fact that you provide contact info at the end of your vids for people that need some help.

I was a groupie the following decade and in the 90s. I have no regrets about it. Its something i wanted to do. I wasn't a baby groupie. I was 19 when I had my first encounter with a musician. Metal musicians were my choice of musicians. I didn't do drugs or even drink alcohol. I didn't hook up with anyone other than the band members. Except one roadie who was a former Chippendales dancer and one who I met not at a concert. I also never despite several conversations and offers, wrote about my exploits or named names. It did make you feel special when this guy who could have his choice of any woman, chose you. It made you feel even more special when they called you when they were in town, or sent for you to join them. I routinely spent time on the road when I wasn't in college. As far as the wives or girlfriends, I think you have to know that comes along with being with one of these guys. Because there are some deeply devoted musicians out there. Thats why I never aspired to be the wife or girlfriend of one. Today I live a normal life with a good husband who is an engineer, not a musician. We spend our time enjoying our Jeep adventures. I have plenty of wonderful memories from my time as a groupie though.

Well done on placing the notice at the end.

Where were the parents of these underaged girls? most kids that age have to be home at 8PM, not flying on planes with adult men, staying in hotels, why weren't they in school, under 16, you can't just leave school. This was a parenting failure, this isn't feminism or independence. The whole thing is so grubby and sordid. It taints the music, too.

No one thinks it‘s romantic 🥴

While everyone idolizes thier favorite male entertainer be it film or music, these individuals are more likely frought with arrested development. It makes sense they would gravitate towards an age group that is on the level with their mentality. Entertainers should not be placed on pedestals in the first place.

This is why I hated the movie Almost Famous. Kate Hudson's 'groupie' character was suger-coated. Bands like Funkadelic members talk about how no women were part of the entourage unless they put out. And that was (unfortunately) the way it was with famous musicians/bands/etc in the 1970s

I'm so very damned glad I never got to the Big Time in music. I loved playing and thought I wanted to be famous but had absolutely NO idea about how badly bands got screwed over back then. The girls would've been an afterthought.

Hard to reconcile present-day Robert Plant's amiable, reflective persona and stately roots-ish musical work with what we know Led Zeppelin were doing offstage in the seventies.

The one thing I will say is a pretty young girl with a nice body has power in a way they don’t realize until they venture into territory such as groupiedom. I was a prude, never participated in such behavior but I sure as hell got called (I had a car) by a couple school friends who found themselves used and abruptly discarded by these “artists”. They felt validated, special and bragged about conquests they themselves made-most determinedly. It extended to any kind of celebrity including motocross riders. I thought they were nuts. Well, to each their own I guess. I will say that my story had to do with running into a dude and his buddies one night when I was 16. Apparently they found it hilarious that when I was asked do you know who this is” I said NO. Greatest guitar player ever they said. Jeff Beck. My reply was “who”? That was 1976 and it WAS Jeff Beck, on tour for “Wired” album. I was clueless. I would have never been a good groupie….. I have run into random rockers in weird places….like ACE hardware in Atlanta where I met Kerry Livgren from Kansas. I was picking up 20 bags of mulch and he helped a guy from the store get them into the back of my SUV. I asked my husband if he ever heard of Livgren (husband plays guitar) when I got home. His comment “are you really clueless’? Apparently so.

Answer: Very Sad.

Fun ep! Thanks!

My first experience was with a groupie - and it was great! I was touring with a band as their sound and lighting man at the time. It was also my first brush with a STD which spoiled it. I wish the second part had never happened; I might still be with her.

Nice to post the number at the end! It’s the responsible thing to do.

I guess the “Me Too” thing never made it backstage.

Debauchery usually leads to bad results.

I'm not sure that Ozzy has the best recollection of everything that happened in the 70s (or any decade since) but his recollection of groupies isn't terribly flattering.

Another awesome video

Adults having sex with minors just discusting I don't care what year it was it's criminal acts.

It doesn't sound exciting or romantic at all

As long as you were under 14 you were in demand. How effed up is that.

This is so sad. Where were their parents? Not sure how this is feminism if the men did not respect them.

4:30 Behind Frank is Roy Estrada (bass player in the original Mothers) who is serving time in prison for having sex with a female relative who was a minor.

It's always going to be a mix of experiences and situations whenever humans are involved. I know a lot of people today that lost their virginity and got pregnant by much older guys who were nobodys. Ask around you might be surprised. It wasn't just the rock scene. Two of my friends got pregnant in high school. It still happens today although I think it's less common. Hormones are a powerful thing.

Have to Agree with some people here saying the groupies knew what they were doing & loved it--I dated one from back then years later & that's exactly how she felt & she knew some of the biggest rock stars (@ 15) and groupie girls in this video.

And now the ones who are still alive, are grandmothers in March 2024.

I loved Pamela's first book I'm with the band, her escapades with Keith Moon were hilarious! Mick Jagger would meet up with her when in town. But why Jimmy Page left her for a 14 yr old Lori was just stupid. Pam was gorgeous and had it all over those pre teen groupies that started hanging around the clubs and screwing anyone and anything. Even Robert Plant said Pam and the GTO's were fun to hang out with, inspired many songs and the groupies that came after them were too young dumb and couldn't hold a conversation cause how immature they were.

and the parents were. . . where?

A lot of insecure women fooling themselves.

I read her book. Loved it

The statute of limitations does not run out on sexual abuse of minors in most states. Regular people would be arrested today for admitting to these things in the 1970's. Not rich people.

There was a junkie teenage girl back in the 1970s somewhere in Quebec who was addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs and was a complete nightmare to musicians when she went to rock concerts on school nights and weekends, same with other celebrities. Those celebrities were glad to have not ever had to encounter her again, she did die from her reckless lifestyle when she was 19 years old back in the 1970s.

They were merely products to male consumers. And let’s not forget that the age of consent was 18 years old in California during this period. So those “regulars” at the Whiskey were children. A child cannot give consent to an adult. These children were groomed, taken advantage of and disposed of once they fell out of favor with their groomers.

I know its difficult to accept but girls 100 years ago were getting married at 13 and having children. Thankfully the laws have changed to protect them but when many girls hit puberty they have a strong need for independence and acceptance, which is kind of ironic when you think about it. By the 60s and 70s things had changed slightly but i knew so many teenage girls that were looking to be sexually active by the time they were 13-14, this was in the 80s, and the groupie scene was definitely out of control during this decade as well. Not all girls rebel like this but so many do, myself included. Parents need to try to think like teenagers if they want their teenagers to understand reality like adults, especially if the goal is to keep them safe. So many comments here are saying how unlawful this is but those opinions aren't going to put a stop to it.

People only wanted to be a groupie just to be popular and say : I slept with this and that,most of them were underage that's horrible 😢

I see that Pamela is still trying to cash in on her lifestyle from 60 years ago. Sad. And yes, I was there.

I still listen to Gram Parsons, we need more music like this.

The fil ‘Almost Ramos’ was the best movie on the 60’s life.

yes and the Beatles called them Apple Scruffs and wrote a song about them. (George Harrison).

Groupie life wasn't appealing to people focused on what would be best for themselves. Sex, drugs, and rock n roll led to STD's, Addiction, and Headaches.

AWESOME 😎

Placidil, I remember those!

RIP Cynthia PlasterCaster

Entry level age 11, exit level age 14.

I was involved with 70s political reform movements as a musician, and got to meet a lot of celebrities who believed in the same ideologies; but I was far too shy to put the make on anyone even if they were flirty with me. So no, I was never a groupie even though I had plenty of opportunities.

If you’re a good and honest dude you’d talk to a girl like that and tell her what she’s doing is super dangerous and that no, you can’t sleep with her.

Delusion to believe they were doing anything other than seeking attention and validation.

The Age of Consent was raised from 14 yo to 16 yo, in 2006, in Canada. And, for those 12 to 15 years old, the law reads: “A teen under the age of 16 cannot consent to sex with an adult five or more years older.”

I’m sure there are just a few rock stars scratching their collective asses watching how the Steven Tyler case plays out

Grunge please do a video on Mary Kay Bergman R.I.P 👑

Love Pamela Des Barres and find the groupie interesting even though I don't necessarily agree with it.

Oh please. A 304 is a 304 no matter where in history she lives. What, has no one heard of STDs??

Almost Famous was a great movie.

One of the dumbest things you could do as a road musician was to fall in love with a girl ( groupie) while playing on the road and especially geting married to one. When that's your only social life, it's easy to do and happened more often than people ( normal 9 to 5 people) probably know. Girls fresh out of high school many times, were used to putting guys on pedestals, whether it be the star players of the HS football team, or the studs around campus, but now that they're out of school, that idol worship is refocused on musicians playing in their towns. It just might not be that you are not what they think they are in love with, but instead, all the perceived glamour and excitement of that moment in in time. I'd tell any working musician to wait until they retire from music before giving into the domestic drive to get married and settle down. You want someone to be in love with YOU, not your music and surroundings.

What many band personnel seemed to forget that if it was you Friday it was another member of another band on Saturday, and I suppose back in the 60’s and 70’s age was never mentioned. I know for a fact some girls actually offered themselves for sex.

That's so gross. They where just kids.

Oh how I loved Bay City Rollers when I was 14 right along with 💋 KISS!!!

It was a different time. My wife lost her virginity at a sleepover at a friends house at 14. To the friends dad. She doesnt regret it. He said she said she was real pretty. And that is all it takes.

It’s all creepy and probably illegal

No happy endings

How educational 😂

Ahh, the hypocrisy. For one group, sex with minors was cool and they looked the other way. For the majority, a dalliance in this behavior is a one way ticket to jail and a record that haunts you for the rest of your life. What a world we live in.

Out on the road for forty days Last night in Little Rock put me in a haze Sweet, sweet Connie, doin' her act She had the whole show and that's a natural fact. "Sweet" Connie Hamzy Parente

Couples approach me more than single men🙄

I’ve met one of Jimmy pages love child he looks exactly like him

I didn't know I needed this in my life until now.

My dads excuse for having groupies was, it gets lonely on the road. My Mum was at home on her own, lonely,she never took a lover to keep her company. And then when I asked if I could go to a disco,I was 14/15, I was told NO by my dad as "he knew what girls my age get up too" . Not knowing what meant at the time, I thought why would girls my age be even speaking to him?

this would make for a funny video game

All I can say is don't believe any "expert' who writes in The Guardian.

I think we should apply current sensibilities onto previous times.

I have often thought that I would be able to thrive in the groupie culture/lifestyle. I would not enjoy talented artists cheating on their girlfriends and wives though. 😢