Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up

by Pamela Des Barres

Picking up where I'm With the Band left off, the world's most well-known groupie discusses life off the road--marriage to a rock star, motherhood, and of course, plenty of celebrity shenanigans. 35,000 first printing. $35,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Genres: Music, Memoir, Biography, Nonfiction, Rock N Roll, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Pamela Des Barres aka Miss Pamela (born Pamela Ann Miller on September 9, 1948) is a former rock and roll groupie, author, and magazine writer.

Des Barres was born in Reseda, California. Her mother was a housewife and her father worked for Anheuser-Busch and occasionally worked as a gold miner. She idolized the Beatles and Elvis Presley as a child, and fantasized about meeting and dating her favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney.

A high school acquaintaince introduced Pamela to Don Van Vliet, better known as Captain Beefheart, a musician and friend of Frank Zappa. Vliet in turn introduced her to Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, which drew her to the rock music scene on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. She started to spend her time with The Byrds and other bands, and when she graduated from high school in 1966, she took various jobs that would allow her to live near the Sunset Strip and pursue relationships with rock musicians. She famously paired up with Nick St. Nicholas, Mick Jagger, Keith Moon, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page, Chris Hillman, Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Waylon Jennings, Ray Davies, David Gilmour, Frank Zappa and actor Don Johnson.

She was also a member of The GTOs, an all-girl singing group formed by Zappa. The group started out as the Laurel Canyon Ballet Company, and began performing as an opening act for Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. The group's act was performance art, a mix of music and spoken word, since none of its members could sing or play an instrument. They released an album, Permanent Damage in 1969, backed by Zappa and Jeff Beck. The group dissolved a month after the album's release because some of its members were arrested for drug possession.

In the 1970s Des Barres decided to pursue a career as an actress, and acted in a few movies, including Zappa's 200 Motels, commercials, and a year acting on the soap opera Search For Tomorrow in 1974. After a downturn in her acting career she went to work as a nanny for Zappa's children, Dweezil and Moon Unit.

On October 29, 1977, she married Michael Des Barres who had been lead singer for the first band signed to Led Zeppelin's Swan Song label, Detective, Silverhead and, briefly, for Power Station. They have a son, Nicholas Dean Des Barres, born on September 30, 1978. The couple divorced in the summer of 1991, due to Michael Des Barres' alleged infidelities.

Des Barres wrote two books about her experience as a groupie, I'm With The Band (1987) and Take Another Little Piece of My Heart: A Groupie Grows Up (1993), as well as two non-fiction books, Rock Bottom: Dark Moments in Music Babylon and Let's Spend the Night Together: Backstage Secrets of Rock Muses and Supergroupies (Chicago Review Press, 2007). She currently writes articles for online and print publications. (from Wikipedia)"

Reviews

[Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

A groupie may grow up but that doesn't mean all her stories have been told! Des Barres' follow up to her sensational memoir I'm With the Band is still packed with fun memories and an open honesty that many don't have the courage to possess. While this one deals with heavier issues then her previous (Addiction, Adultery, Divorce..) Pamela just radiates positivity and always finds a way to turn a negative into a life lesson, there to help her grow into the amazing women she is. Those who love I'm with the Band should definitely check this one out and those who haven't, what are you waiting for?

For anyone wanting to learn more about Pamela and Michael Des Barres, and their amazing, enduring friendship check out Muses and Stuff, a podcast co-hosted about me which celebrates Muses and Groupies in rock n roll history.

[Henry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Much like her first vapid book, Pam plays fast and loose with facts and dates in this book which completely decimates any shred of credibility she may have ever had. In chapter 3 alone she makes the following statements:

1) She states Robert Plant's son died before Detective's album was released, which was in April 1977. However Karac Plant passed away in July 1977, 3 months after the album release.
2) She states Tony Geary was on General Hospital in 1977 when she had an acting role on the show (which is not listed on her IMDB profile), but he did not join the cast until 1978.
3) She states she went to Vegas to see Elvis in 1977, right after the book by his bodyguards came out (which was definitely 1977.) However Elvis NEVER played Vegas in 1977. His last show there was in 1976.

I could continue on with plentiful more examples from throughout the book. Making false statements renders this book and her other books entirely unbelievable.

[Cake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ultimately the subject mater of this particular instalment of Pamela's life wasn't all that appealing to me - husband, difficult marriage, child - I much preferred the previous book.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been on a "groupie book" kick so I thought I would tune in for the rest of Pamela Des Barres' stories. I enjoyed her loving, spirited nature in her first book and was hoping she didn't lose that the farther away she got from the 60s. She definitely is still all about the love, which is something I appreciate, but I couldn't get into this book because Des Barres got way to obsessed with the cosmic. I love religion, I completely agree with piecing together a belief system that works for you, but for me, cosmic readings that take you back to past lives are just too much. To each their own, but this took over the book for me and I couldn't much appreciate the rest of her stories.
She has lived quite a life and I enjoyed my peek into it. I'm glad she has a good memory for the good times and bad, she accounted for the ups and downs everyone has experienced in life, and I am definitely glad her publisher turned down her attempt at fiction writing.

[Eli Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite reading (and loving!) her other two books, I was hesitant about this one since I felt it would be more of a personal memoir and not really contain anything too interesting. After I read it, it just made me love Miss Pamela even more. It is more about her own personal life after "groupiedom" but don't give in to your preconceptions that her life after rocks stars can't be just as interesting. Her voice in this book takes you right into her life, which often included heartbreak and I felt it all. I truly admired Miss Pamela before and I'm glad I I read her story to get to know her better.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Follow up to I'm With the Band. It was an okay read. The marriage drama, new age advice, and problem child interludes bored me. I just wanted to read more of her escapades. At the same time, I appreciated her honesty (she admits she was codependent) and her seemingly genuine appreciation for people and life.

[Rick Barcenas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked "I'm with the Band" so much I had to read this one too. Ms. Des Barres is definitely an interesting gal. Still in love with her?....Maybe a little. Wild Child grows up, has a family etc. A good read.

[Digby]

Ex groupie,a useless mother, a doormat wife and badly written. One wants to scream "why don't you parent your spoiled brat?" 24/7

[Lord Beardsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, Pamela Des Barres is a delight to read. Her positive outlook on life is addictive and inspiring; I also really love the fact that she laughs at her own jokes. She's like the perfect girlfriend with the best stories. I also love how she's really into going to swap meets.

This book details her post-groupie days as a woman trying to find her place in the world, her relationship with her husband and son. Eventually, she finds her confidence and voice that she channels into a successful writing career that propels her to the national spotlight. After her seminal memoir 'I'm With The Band' is released, she experiences incredible slut shaming (being condescended to by Suzanne Somers -- who can seriously go fuck herself for the way she spoke to her on live TV, btw) and being referred to as a bimbo by the turncoat Jimmy Page. Feminist to the fucking core (despite some unfortunate fat shaming issues that I chalk up to the fact that a) she lives in Los Angeles b) THE 80s c) her generation of women being force fed a lot of bullcrap, which I forgive her for because no one's perfect) she always saw her role as a groupie as her getting what she wanted, and being a passionate lover of music, and later on a chronicler of the dynamic times she witnessed.

I was most struck by the relationship with her son Nick, that she describes heartfelt warmth and humanity. Her kid is gifted, and very troubled as a young person, and experiences extreme bullying from his peers for being himself. At one point, he's confronted by a group of kids wanting to know if he's a boy or a girl, to which he blithely answers "Both", and is chased down the street by about 200 kids. That kid RULES. Rock-n-roll!

I love Pamela Des Barres, and everything she has chosen to share.

[Kerstin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to I'm With The Band, the bible of the born-too-late. It's decidedly less exciting than the first book, but well worth the read if you fall in love with Pamela as much as I did.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much like her first book, this is an entertaining, if slightly gossipy, examination of a life lived inside the glamor of LA and rock n’ roll.

[Whitlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a little darker than the first book, but still a good read. I enjoyed her carrying the reader through her journey and growth into womanhood. I love hearing her talk about her pregnancy and first baby, it's very sincere and very sweet. A classic rise and fall love story with some dark twists and painful memories. I feel like she used this book to voice her break up after thoughts to her ex. It was her outlet to get her whole story out there and say 'look at me now, I'm over it' .... Or is she?

[Deangelis4 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, because I love that though the Groupie grows up, she remains a Groupie, still loving music, and writing in her journals, and actually becoming a rock journalist. Because within all the sex and partying, Pamela's such a music lover. And life, in this book, seems to go on through the 80s. But there is A LOT of fun to be had, and this book is funny! But there's marriage and Pamela's son, and real adulting, but in many ways, this book is a fantastic story of an after party that is pretty amazing.
I love this book as much as her famous book, I'm With the Band.

[Baylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I don't think Pamela is the best writer but I enjoy her voice so much. Her life is so interesting. I felt truly inspired while reading this. Her honesty is awesome and her life is incomprehensible. I can't wait to read the rest of her works. I'm an obsessed fan.. or groupie if you will.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read....

As usual this author gives us a glimpse of her glorious life she has created and I marvel at her way that she writes, and am inspired that you can do anything you dream...and even after all of life's speed bumps....I always love reading what Miss Pamela has to tell.....

[Tara Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! I want more books, more stories, more telling from Miss Pamela!! I can't believe I had never heard of her before. She is who I have always wanted to be. Not the spotlight but the friend of the spotlight! Love her writing style, I feel like I know her personally.

[Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a waste of my time. Nothing like the first book. It was about her marriage, not marriage, and son Nick.

[Elizabeth Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rock n roll

I have deep affection for the world of Pamela Des Barres. While this is not as focused as I'm With the Band, it's still juicy and fun and a piece of pop history.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly amusing, but her first book was a lot better!

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read and didn't mind Pamela Des Barres's first book, I'm With The Band , enough that I figured I'm move on to her follow-up.

I should have stopped at the first one.

As I made my way through this audiobook (narrated by the author), the only part that didn't seem to irritate me was the heartbreaking story of her father's passing. Pamela cries and chokes up as she narrates it, and you'd have to be a monster to not hear the pain of her loss, all these years later.

But.

The problem is, there's the entire rest of the book. While Des Barres is somewhat entertaining in a flighty, dopey kind of way, I found the biggest reveal about this book was that...unfortunately...the woman is just not that bright.

Yes, she went off script and did what she wanted with her life, which is admirable, and she managed to get into music (with her GTOs), acting, and now an author, she's done most of that with very little talent, and more off her notoriety than anything.

And then there's the majority of this book's story, her ridiculous marriage to Michael Des Barres who she constantly props up as an incredibly talented, amazing artist, but all I saw was a guy that could only step in last minute when the real talent walked away from a project. Probably his two highest-profile moments were playing the lead singer of the fictional band Scum of the Earth on WKRP in Cincinnati, and the fill-in touring vocalist for Power Station, the Duran Duran side project that Robert Palmer walked away from. Michael Des Barres was basically a spoiled child with a royal title and five dollars in his pocket.

Can he sing? Sure. But he's such an @ssh0le through most of this book, I just didn't care.

And then there's the incredible mismanagement of how both of them parented their only child. All I could do is cringe as Miss Pamela relayed the story of one horrible therapist or school placement after another.

Overall, this is just a cringey, awful book of two people who have a little more luck than they deserve, a lot less intelligence than they really required, very little talent, and how they muddled through for fifteen-odd years.

It's just a slow motion rock 'n' roll trainwreck.

[Billie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't want to think about how many years ago it actually was when I read Pamela's first book. I was a BABY. I'd like to think we've both grown up a lot since then.

I didn't love this. I didn't love her writing style. She's blunt and forward - and I like that. She's honest and bold. She tries, even at her worst, to be at her best and look on the good sides of things.

She's raised a son; divorced a husband; had a boyfriend half her age. She rocks life. Period.

With that said, I'm bothered immensely by one point. She's told her readers HUNDREDS of stories. She's named names in three books. She didn't hesitate. But in THIS book she chooses to refer to one paramour as "HIM". It made me crazy. Someone so major and intense that even MS. PAMELA wouldn't come clean?

She said she has another book in her. I'm doubtful I'll pick it up.

[Jeannie]

I had to go back in time to read the review I wrote on her first book "I'm With The Band" and I must admit I like this book much more than I did that one, even though I did enjoy it too. I loved all the rock N roll names she threw around but more than that I was happy to see that she had grown throughout her experiences and was in a much better place. Happily married (at the beginning of the book), she has a child, a boy, and all is great in her little world until it isn't. I just couldn't stop reading, I had to find out how it all turned out and I am a bit amazed at how solid an outlook she has on life after all that she's been through. I'm inspired, she's a special person, one of a kind. This book is well worth the read!

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss P is an excellent storyteller, he life is so full of wild antics and heartfelt mistakes and lots of love. This book is especially poignant bc she does a lot of growing up once she gets married, becomes a mom, and loses her beloved Daddy. she has to deal with a lot of harsh realities and she gains a ton of self-respect and insight that only comes with living life. This book was so sobering compared to how intoxicating I'm With The Band is.

[Biggus · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved her first book, because it was about the times, the mood, and the stars. When the focus changes from Miss P's stories about the times, to her personal life later on, it just isn't anywhere near as interesting :(
I realised not all that far in, this wasn't going to hold my interest at all. Pity :(

[Joe Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A satisfying follow-up to Miss Pamela's groundbreaking "I'm With the Band". This one follows her tumultuous marriage to rocker Michael Des Barres, as well as her active social life of the late '80s. Maybe a little less scandalous than her debut, but still quite insightful. "A Groupie Grows Up" is quite the appropriate subtitle.

[Amy Cohen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pamela's writing style and flashes to her old diary entries made this book cumbersome to get through. I really was not all that interested in her book. She name-drops a lot, and her corny reliance on psychics made it too far out for me!

[Adrihanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good book. It was entertaining and very interesting. You could really tell their wasn’t any bad blood. I always really love and enjoy her books and this one is no different. I would recommend to people who like celebrity gossip.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should've known this lovely lady was a virgo. A lovely tale of a muse finding her own music, and getting lost and found in the noise.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#150 of 160 books pledged to read during 2019

[S.t. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her first book was the first “mature” book I ever read and ignited a passion for reading. Her gift for writing has matured, and this book is even more charming.