Famous Groupies Who Are Completely Unrecognizable Now

Being a groupie in the 1970s was a glamorous but complex way of life. It could bring fame, status, and opportunities to the people who embraced the lifestyle. On the other hand, groupies could have mental health issues or struggle with addiction, and could be at risk of sexual abuse. 

Unfortunately, rock 'n' roll life can take a toll, and much like many musicians of the era, several of the most famous groupies of classic rock have passed away. However, not every person who became known as a notable groupie has died without any fanfare. Some people who made a name for themselves as groupies back in the day are still very much alive, though as you might expect, they've gone on to pursue other things. Here's a look at what some of the most famous groupies are up to these days, and how much they've changed over the years. 

Pamela Des Barres, aka Miss Pamela, was a musician herself, thanks to her Frank Zappa-created band The GTOs. However, she's best known as a prominent groupie who was a part of the 1960s and 1970s rock scene, both in London and in the U.S. She associated with some of the biggest rock names of the era, from Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix to members of Led Zeppelin and The Who drummer Keith Moon, who tragically died in 1978. She even ended up marrying (and later divorcing) a rock star — namely, Michael Des Barres of Silverhead and The Power Station fame. 

Decades after her groupie heyday, Des Barres remains proud of her groupie days. In fact, she's leveraged her experiences in the rock circles into a many-faceted career as a writer and content creator. In 1987, she published a best-selling memoir, "I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie," which detailed her life and times with many of history's biggest rock musicians. She has also written several other books, teaches in women's writing workshops, arranges Los Angeles rock tours based on her memoir ... and, of course, has a podcast where some of her old acquaintances turn up as guests.  

Cherry Vanilla's 2010 memoir, "Lick Me: How I Became Cherry Vanilla," openly describes her as a groupie, so it's clear she doesn't exactly disavow the term. In reality, however, she's always been more of a pop-culture jack-of-all-trades. Born Kathleen Dorritie, she worked as an ad producer and DJ before she relocated from New York to London and started her groupie phase — which in turn led to her first stage acting gig in Andy Warhol's play "Pork," and working as David Bowie's publicist in the mid-1970s.  

Apart from her acting and PR endeavors, Cherry Vanilla became a musician, a poet, and a notable figure in the punk movement. She released two albums and a number of singles in the late 1970s, and true to form, her backing band in London featured future superstars Sting and Stewart Copeland — a particularly curious side note in the lesser-known stories of The Police. Outside the music and acting scenes, Cherry Vanilla has worked in various capacities with a truly eclectic collection of creative greats, from jazz legend Chet Baker to filmmaker Tim Burton.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, or needs help with addiction or mental health issues, contact the relevant resources below:

• The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

• The Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.