The Complex History of Groupies
Photo Credit: Baron Wolman (Courtesy of Dazed Digital)
“I was floating around in the Garden of Eden, thrilled to be a human being at the Human-Be-In, knowing the world could be saved if we loved one another. I was draped in flowers, bestowed upon me by my brothers and sisters. I was laughing, loving, breathing Princess of Peace...”
–Pamela Des Barres
In February 1969, Rolling Stone magazine introduced a new term to the general music-loving public: Groupie. The widely accepted definition of the word is “A fan who follows a rock group around on tours,” however, time has led to the revelation of just how nuanced the title can be. When we think of groupies, we tend to imagine the breezy, carefree hippie trends seen towards the latter half of the 1960s. Festivals, florals, a deep love of music, and of the musicians creating it. This image isn’t entirely inaccurate; in fact, that was how groupie culture began. As described once by Frank Zappa, “Groupies are very influential on the record market because they know so many people.” These people, often young women, were revered by their idols, at least for a time. Many artists acknowledged the honor of having such devout fans and, at times, forming relationships with them.
Truthfully, there didn’t seem to be overt discontent regarding the relationships between rock stars and their fans during the period. Rock and roll was still young, and so was the community surrounding it. Years before, fans would neglect their own needs for the chance to get up close to their favorite artists – think “Beatlemania” – but they now had opportunities to join the circus themselves. A new age of music was blossoming at lightning speed, as was the culture alongside it. Being a groupie seemed to be the only way that women could join the male-centered world they admired. So the question that remains is: Where did the groupies go? Well, things got taboo—and fast.
By the 70s, rock was still thriving. It was evolving into an atmosphere filled with rising tensions, experimental living, and a lot more drugs. Gone seemed the days of art for art’s sake and free love. It became a time of excess, riches, and all-consuming fame. Groupies remained through this cultural shift, though their existence in the music world began to warp into something much darker. The stereotype surrounding the term largely starts here – that groupies were hedonistic and hungry for a taste of fame. Although previously, the women surrounding these artists served as muses and inspiration, they soon began to be treated as accessories to the bands. Cooking, cleaning, errands–typically unpaid. Intimate relationships that were often abusive or non-consensual. As the genre’s stars climbed to fame, the once-respected women around them were pushed deeper into the dangerous side of sex, drugs, and, of course, rock and roll.
Photo credit: Al Bowman (The Sun)
The controversial bond between groupies and musicians continued into the 1980s, as hair bands emerged as the new it-thing. Songs were still being written about these “girls with the band,” though they were far more erotic, centered on objectification and the alpha-male world. It wasn’t until the 90s that the extravagant and lush rockstar lifestyle became out of style. The genre became more raw, toned down, and intimate in a new (or perhaps old) way. The music world began to acknowledge that the groupie had become something demeaning and, quite frankly, threatening towards women in the industry. So groupies faded away, and it became clear that artists and their fans would have a more parasocial kind of dynamic- unless you knew the right people.
In the 21st century, being a die-hard fan is more one-sided than ever. With the rise in technology, the behavior that once manifested in racing after tour buses or hanging by the stage door has transferred to fan accounts and online discussion boards. Besides that, many famous musicians have often expressed feeling overwhelmed by the attention they receive. Singer Chappell Roan stated in a TikTok that “it’s weird how people think that you know a person because you see them online and you listen to the art they make … I’m allowed to say no to creepy behavior, okay?” Many of her peers have shared the same sentiments since then, asking fans to keep their distance unless there is an official meet-and-greet.
Photo Credit: Dreamworks Pictures
Though the practice of being a groupie seems long gone, some of its trends still echo in today’s culture. The “rockstar’s girlfriend” aesthetic sneaks into social media feeds, and the 2000 film “Almost Famous” still holds strong. The world can appreciate what once was, while acknowledging the faults that permeated it. While most fans may never get to experience travelling around with their favorite artists or partying at Studio 54 with the greats, history shows us that it’s likely for the best. While no person, famous or otherwise, should be treated as though they are god-like or unreachable, healthy distance and mutual respect between musicians and listeners have been proven to be safer and more ethical for all involved.
