This week, we tackle a trope that is very near & dear to our hearts (for better or for worse): the “Rockstar Girlfriend.” In the first of our two-part episode, we discuss the history of groupie-dom, led by Paulina’s insistence that the group consult *the* sacred text, Pamela Des Barres’ “I’m with the Band.” We reminisce on fangirls’ roots in Beatlemania and the heyday of LA groupie culture, debate our fixations on tortured artists, and dissect how misogyny and controversy led to the groupie’s demise. 

Links:

Spotify Playlist

Pinterest Board

TikTok Collection

Alexa Chung, “It” (Google)

Joli Jensen, “Fandom as Pathology: The Consequences of Characterization” (PDF)

Mayrav Estrin, “Why Have We Fetishized the Tortured Artist? My Thoughts Post Sam Levinson's ‘The Idol’” (Cinephile Princess)

Pamela Des Barres, “I’m with the Band” (Google)

Sadie King, “Where Did All the Groupies Go? The Rise and Fall of the Good-Time Girls of Rock” (Strand)

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Timestamps:

Intro 00:00

When Did We Hear About “Rockstar Girlfriends” & “Groupies”? 00:42

What’s a Groupie? 03:29

The Emergence of Groupies 07:31

Misogynistic Backlash 09:50

Pamela Des Barres’ “I’m with the Band” 11:55

The Tortured Artist 15:56

What’s the Fixation with Tortured Artists? 17:50

Humanizing Rockstars 25:43

The Former Accessibility of Rockstars 27:53

Rock ‘n’ Roll Divorce 32:56

The Extinction of Groupies 35:28

A Groupie’s Lifestyle Aspirations & Aesthetic 37:26

The Pain of Loving Artists 43:54

What Band Would We Be Groupies For? 45:49

Who Are Our Favorite Beatles? 47:29

Outro 49:52

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