Pamela Des Barres Reflects on Her Legendary Rock 'n' Roll Romances

The iconic "groupie" shares stories of her encounters with Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, and other music legends.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Pamela Des Barres, known for her memoirs about her relationships with famous rock musicians in the 1960s and 70s, reflects on her encounters with iconic bands like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and more. Des Barres highlights the importance of self-belief and owning oneself, as she recounts her time "sitting up on Jimmy [Page]'s amp with Zeppelin" and other mythical moments from the golden age of rock 'n' roll.

Why it matters

Des Barres' stories provide a unique, first-hand perspective on the legendary romances and backstage lives of some of music's biggest stars during a transformative era. Her candid memoirs offer a rare glimpse into the world of rock 'n' roll muses and supergroupies.

The details

Pamela Des Barres is the author of several memoirs detailing her relationships with famous rock musicians, including "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie," "Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up," and "Let's Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Supergroupies." She was mentored by Frank Zappa and later married rock musician Michael Des Barres, though they split in 1991. Des Barres is known for her candid and eccentric tales of the 1960s and 70s, when she spent time "meeting, befriending, or dating all of her (and your) musical heroes."

  • In 1969, Des Barres encountered Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles.
  • Des Barres published her first memoir, "I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie," in 1987.

The players

Pamela Des Barres

An author known for her memoirs about her relationships with famous rock musicians in the 1960s and 70s.

Mick Jagger

The lead singer of the iconic rock band The Rolling Stones.

Jimmy Page

The legendary guitarist of the rock band Led Zeppelin.

Frank Zappa

A renowned musician who mentored Des Barres and her friends, known as the GTOs (Girls Together Outrageously).

Michael Des Barres

A rock musician and actor who was married to Pamela Des Barres from 1978 to 1991, though they remain close friends.

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What they’re saying

“Even to me, looking back, it's kind of mythical. Sitting up on Jimmy [Page]'s amp with Zeppelin, seeing and feeling that crowd of mania, people in transcendence. It's hard to even describe. I'm really glad that I was able to experience it truthfully in that exact moment.”

— Pamela Des Barres, Author (Nylon)

“You have to own yourself. Love it. Love yourself.”

— Pamela Des Barres, Author (Nylon)

The takeaway

Pamela Des Barres' candid memoirs offer a rare, first-hand glimpse into the legendary romances and backstage lives of some of music's biggest stars during the transformative 1960s and 70s, highlighting the importance of self-belief and owning one's own story.