I’m With the Band: An Intimate Evening with Pamela Des Barres

The legendary Miss Pamela Des Barres had Nashville captivated on Wednesday night as she shared moments from her extraordinary rock and roll adventures.

HANNAH LANEY

Pamela is not only arguably the most famous groupie of all time, she also happens to be an excellent storyteller. Her book, I’m With the Band, gives incredible insight into how it was back in the heyday of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. She goes into great detail, explaining precisely how she felt, lending her audience a key to her personal diary.

I don’t remember exactly how I stumbled upon Miss P’s beautiful magic, but I am very grateful that I did. I do know that I was around 20 years old when I first discovered who she was. This is an important time in any young woman’s life. During that period, I had moved away from home and was sewing together my independence one stitch at a time. It felt like this awe inspiring person whom I had never met…understood me. Almost completely, which felt crazy. Even crazier that the stories of hers that I was reading were from 50 years prior. It just goes to show how music and the feeling that it brings transcends time, space, everything.

*I’m With the Band* by Pamela Des Barres
June 26th, 2024
The Eighth Room, Nashville, TN
By Hannah Laney / @outtasightphotos_

Word by word, I fell in love with her writing. The way it made me feel like what my desires in life are aren’t silly or meaningless, that the dreams that are put into each of our hearts are there for good reason. Her vulnerability and spirit seeped through the pages, making me want to grab the nearest time machine to transport myself back into a dressing room alongside the GTO’s (Girls Together Outrageously), Jimmy Page, and the Golden God himself. Why couldn’t I have experienced all of this free love? Why was I to be dealt the card that would put me in the era of wimps and fuck boys? It just didn’t seem fair.

A prodigy of Frank Zappa, the leader of the first all girl band, rockstar whisperer extraordinaire:

MISS PAMELA DES BARRES EVERYONE.

The evening took place at the Eighth Room in the heart of Music City. The room was alive with flower children and lovers of all things groovy. Pamela read passages from her first book, making the audience “ooh” and “ahh” with every turning page. A couple of my favorite moments from the night include when she explained how on probably the luckiest day of anyone’s life, she wandered into a Laurel Canyon home, “did a backbend for the Lizard King” and ended up being his lover shortly after. Another is when she recalled a Rolling Stones concert she went to with the band, looked at Mick performing on the stage, and thought to herself, “I get to fuck that guy tonight”. ICON.

I’d like to say that I could relate more to these moments from her life, but there are a few that made me feel like I’ve somehow been given this extremely rare backstage pass for instances I have only dreamed about. Manifestation is a real thing. The power you give your dreams and desires determines how successful you will be in your journey. I feel like I’ve been manifesting what I want out of life from an early age, and that's truly given me an advantage. Sometimes it’s almost like I’m delusional, that I'm on a totally different path than everyone else my age, and for a split second I let that control how I feel about myself. I believe that it is rare to find someone that is a true free spirit. My best friend Grace is one and has given me the greatest gift with her friendship. I can be myself around her and absolutely love her. The GTOs seemed to have that same thing. I’m lucky enough to have such a great group of friends that put the biggest smile on my face.

While telling about the shirt she had handmade for Gram Parsons, Pamela’s assistant Nichole brought out the piece to display for the audience. It was a beautiful purple button down with the letters “GP” embroidered onto the front. Another item of clothing that was shown was the blue velvet mini dress she had worn during Jimi Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” music video. Of course she had spent time with the band and even ended up dating bassist Noel Redding. Even though Hendrix had tried to put the moves on her, she was just too intimidated by his powerful presence, she had recalled.

Starting the occasion off was DJ Amy Darling, spinning some tunes (including my Captain Beefheart record!). Longtime friend of Miss P and local Nashvillian, Todd Snider got up on the stage to perform a couple of songs on his acoustic guitar. It was such a joy seeing her revel in the music, spinning around the stage with such excitement.

Pamela Des Barres and Todd Snider
June 26th, 2024
The Eighth Room, Nashville, TN
By Hannah Laney / @outtasightphotos_

At the end of the night I got to spend a little time with Pamela as she signed some copies of her books for me. Her energy is so genuine and comforting. As my friend Emily and I were talking to her, she looked at me and said, “you look so great”, and I knew she really meant it. Her impact on the music world means just as much if not more than all of those rockstars. No wonder they all loved having her around, she’s a complete rockstar herself! Attending one of her writing workshops in 2019 was such a wonderful experience. I recommend going if you have the chance, it’s so worth it!

Thank you Miss Pamela for sharing your stories, energy, and overall being with the world. You are a true national treasure! We love you dearly.

I’m With the Band: An Intimate Evening with Pamela Des Barres

Grace Bowers and Friends Benefit Show 2024

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