Episode 17: Sarah Priscus with Pamela Des Barres
Episode 17 Promo
Sarah Priscus
Sarah Priscus, Photo by Peter Wiercioch
Sarah Priscus is a 2021 graduate of the University of Ottawa, where she studied English and Theatre. She has written for ‘Electric Literature’, ‘Literary Hub’, and her short stories have been nominated for or won the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Best Small Fictions, and the Wigleaf Top 50.
‘Groupies’, published by William Morrow and Company in 2022, is her debut novel.
Pamela Des Barres
Pamela Des Barres, Photo by Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
Pamela Des Barres is Queen of All Rock and Roll Groupies. In the 1960s and ‘70s, Miss Pamela owned the Sunset Strip and was a rock and roll muse to damn near every musician worth his salt during that time—from Mick Jagger to Keith Moon to Jimmy Page and on and on.
And . . . she was in her own all-girl band—the experimental Frank Zappa-produced group the GTOs, whose record ‘Permanent Damage’ is now considered a cult classic.
Pamela is also an actress. You may have seen her in the Sylvester Stallone film ‘Paradise Alley’ and Frank Zappa’s 1971 surrealistic musical, ‘200 Motels’, starring some drummer named Ringo Starr.
She’s probably best known for her hugely popular 1987 memoir, ‘I’m With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie’, which details her experiences in the Los Angeles rock music scene of the ‘60s and ‘70s. She’s published several more books since ‘I’m With the Band’, including ‘Take Another Little Piece of My Heart’, ‘Let’s Spend the Night Together’, ‘Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon’, and ‘Let It Bleed: How to Write a Rockin’ Memoir’.
For nearly 20 years now, Pamela has been leading women’s creative writing classes all across the country. She’s even branched out into the world of podcasting, hosting Miss Pamela’s Pajama Party on Pantheon Podcast Network, which is home to Rock is Lit, as well. You can also catch up with her on one of her intimate guided tours through 1960s Hollywood as she revisits the sites from ‘I’m With the Band’.
About This Episode
EPISODE NOTES:
Hello, Lit Listeners. I hope you’re all geared up to party with the bands in this episode’s rock novel, because you’ve got a backstage pass and VIP access. Sarah Priscus is here to talk about her new novel, ‘Groupies’, a story that shines a light on the grungy yet glittery world of 1970s Los Angeles rock 'n roll and the women—the groupies—who unapologetically love too much in a world that doesn’t love them back.
Later, who else is better qualified to give real-world context to this very topic than the fabulous Super Groupie, member of Frank Zappa’s GTOs, and talented writer and podcaster, Pamela Des Barres? That’s right, Miss Pamela herself joins me during the last segment of the show, so break out your groovy boas and hot pants and drop some far-out vinyl on the turn table. You’re all with the band tonight.
Watch my full uncut YouTube video interview with Miss Pamela here.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
Sarah and I talk about
What she and Suzi Quatro have in common
Sarah’s experience writing and publishing her debut novel
Overview of plot and characters of ‘Groupies’
The setting of ‘Groupies’: Los Angeles in the late 1970s
The early seasons of SNL as part of Sarah’s research into the era/other research Sarah did for the novel, including watching ‘Almost Famous’ again
Sarah’s long love affair with Pamela Des Barres’ seminal memoir ‘I’m With the Band’
Led Zeppelin references in the novel and our shared love of the band
Groupie definitions and rules, as presented in the novel ‘Groupies’
Feminism and groupie culture in the 1970s/the Baby Groupie issue
Instant gratification and the 1970s and Polaroid cameras, which the character Faun uses
Pamela and I talk about
How and when she first got into the L.A. music scene
Who christened each of the GTOs “Miss”
The kazillion rock icons she’s known, including Frank Zappa, The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Led Zeppelin, The Stones, Love, Three Dog Night, Gene Simmons, Keith Moon
The GTOs’ album ‘Permanent Damage’, which Frank Zappa produced
The L.A. scene in the ‘60s and ‘70s
Baby Groupies of the 1970s
The first time Pamela heard the word “groupie” and her definition of the word
‘I’m With the Band’ and some of the ridiculous comments people—especially early interviewers—have made
Pamela’s ex-husband Michael Des Barres’ thoughts on ‘I’m With the Band’
How Gram Parsons turned her onto Country music
MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:
1970’s Retro Background Music (Royalty Free)
“Our Last Summer” by ABBA
“Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel
“It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll” by The Rolling Stones
Clip of early SNL opening
“Life in the Fast Lane” by The Eagles
“Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin
“I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy
“We Shall Go Forth” by Margie Adam
“Hey Ya!” by OutKast
“Famous Groupies” by Paul McCartney
“I’m In Love With The Ooo-Ooo Man” by The GTOs
“Shock Treatment” by The GTOs, featuring Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart
“Sixteen and Savaged” by Silverhead
“Christine’s Tune” by The Flying Burrito Brothers
“Mystery Roach” by Frank Zappa and The Mothers
LINKS:
Sarah Priscus’s website: https://sarahpriscus.com/
Sarah on Twitter, @sarahpriscus
Sarah on Instagram, @sarah.priscus
Pamela Des Barres’ website: https://www.pameladesbarresofficial.com/
Pamela on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, @PamelaDesBarres
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, @ChristyHallberg
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, @christyhallberg
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSnRmlL5moSQYi6EjSvqag
Pamela Des Barres and Christy Alexander Hallberg
Wyatt, the Rock is Lit mascot, admiring Sarah Priscus’ novel ‘Groupies’
