I'm with the Band

Confessions of a Groupie

By: Pamela Des Barres, Dave Navarro

Narrated by: Pamela Des Barres

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The stylish, exuberant, and remarkably sweet confession of one of the most famous groupies of the 1960s and 70s is back in this new edition that includes an afterword on the author's last 15 years of adventures.

As soon as she graduated from high school, Pamela Des Barres headed for the Sunset Strip, where she knocked on rock stars' backstage doors and immersed herself in the drugs, danger, and ecstasy of the freewheeling 1960s. Over the next 10 years, she had affairs with Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, Waylon Jennings, Chris Hillman, Noel Redding, and Jim Morrison, among others. She traveled with Led Zeppelin; lived in sin with Don Johnson; turned down a date with Elvis Presley; and was close friends with Robert Plant, Gram Parsons, Ray Davies, and Frank Zappa. As a member of the GTO's, a girl group masterminded by Frank Zappa, she was in the thick of the most revolutionary renaissance in the history of modern popular music.

Warm, witty, and sexy, this kiss-and-tell-all stands out as the perfect chronicle of one of rock 'n' roll's most thrilling eras.

©1987 Pamela Des Barres (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Sunny, uninhibited prose." (Slate.com)

"She charms me every time she refuses to regret. And she regrets nothing." (Los Angeles Times)

Sad

I really wanted to like this. Unfortunately this book reminded me of a nutty, washed up Aunt that took too much acid in the 70s and rambles on and on about her glory days. I kind of felt bad for her as she appears to be obsessed with famous men that never really respected her as a person. I thought there would be some juicy details about her relationships with rock stars, but it’s basically just her obsessively ranting about her love for these men who think she’s a daft groupie. I wish this was good, sadly it wasn't.

Do not buy! Do not buy! Do not buy!

I have over 200 titles in my library and I can say hands down this is the most annoying narration I've encountered. 3 hours in and absolutely had to turn it off.

The story is moderately interesting but the breathless, whiny, tone deaf, giggling, idiotic narration is horrific. I should have read the other reviews- don't waste your money, it really is that bad...

Like you're sitting in her living room

Where does I'm with the Band rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Of all the Autobiography's this is the top. The only one that might be better is Rob Lowe's.

What other book might you compare I'm with the Band to and why?

The book by John Taylor or Heart - both rock and roll memoirs. Nancy & Ann Wilsons was good, but Pamela Des Barres is way more engaging. John Taylor's was good, but I felt like he was telling me a story that I had already heard through the stuff I read thoughout the years. John Taylor's and Heart's audio books sounded like they read from their books. It got boring at times... Pamela let's me into a world I briefly encountered, and lets me live vicariously through her - knowing about the pains of having my heart broken, falling madly in love, having a crush, adoring the people who are so creative is makes your head explode and having the moment (in her case lots of moments) to be in the presence of them.

What does Pamela Des Barres bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The way she narrates it. It's like you're sitting in her living room with her while she is sharing you her stories - like your big sister or Aunt does. She isn't reading, she is telling you stories. It could be word for word for her book, but she doesnt make you feel like she's reading from her book. Plus she breaks away and tells some small elaboration of a piece of a story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yeah! but I personally like listening to them in chunks... easier to digest.

A Charming Account of R&R Heroes From Groupie

The expectation of a book authored by a groupie is that it would be a salacious tell-all about sexual encounters with musicians. There is plenty of that in the book but the author is unfailingly positive and generous in her description of her amours.

There are three things that make this book a standout.

First, Pamela Des Barres can write. Although her book is based on her diaries, the book is wonderfully descriptive and witty in her unique style.

Secondly, Pamela Des Barres can narrate. This is her story and listening to the book is like having Pamela Des Barres tell her life story directly to you. Her voice modulates particularly when quoting someone and she otherwise personalizes the story for the listener.

Thirdly, Pamela Des Barres is very upbeat and happy.

Disappointed

I was totally excited about this book, but only 20 mins in and I start to daydream. I made it several chapters before giving up. Reading this book is TORTUROUS.

As Of Now, I Have Stopped Listening....

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A better story with better narration. I know this is Ms. Des Barre's life story, but with such an over the top voice and such poor material, I finally have stepped away from the book and will come back to it if I get desperate. I have always heard about this book and wanted to hear the history, but a person can only take so much.

Would you ever listen to anything by Pamela Des Barres and Dave Navarro again?

Probably not.

What didn’t you like about Pamela Des Barres’s performance?

I do like when an author is able to give emphasis where they want, but her voice is so flighty that most of it is hard to take. Sounds like someone trying to be extremely over the top.

What character would you cut from I'm with the Band?

See Above....

This lady sounds very pathetic

Like: intimate stories with rock legends
Dislike: her annoying voice, acting like a teenager, really bad attempts to sing.
Can't think of anyone I could recommend this book

Sweet Pam

Would you listen to I'm with the Band again? Why?

Yes. I did listen some parts once, twice.. It's delicious.

What other book might you compare I'm with the Band to and why?

I compare with Marianne Faithfull's biography, but Pam is happier, a sunny woman.

What does Pamela Des Barres bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's a wonderful reader! She's a really actress, a nice actress.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, I did. I laugh sometimes and I cried at the end.

Any additional comments?

Please, readers/ listeners, Open your minds!

excellent!

A must for any music fan. Amazing stories from the glory days of rock music.

Best narrated-by-author-memoir ever!

Would you consider the audio edition of I'm with the Band to be better than the print version?

That would disparage either the book or the reader.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author is the only real characterization -- it's a memoir after all.

What does Pamela Des Barres bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Pamela Des Barres has a lovely voice, and her reading is utterly honest, open, sincere and emotional. Also, worth mentioning, she adds current-day asides to the narration that are always fun, funny and true. (As when she describes waiting by the phone before "turning to the audience" and telling us how lucky we are when her generation didn't have cellphones or the internet or even answering machines.)

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of laughs and sympathy.

Any additional comments?

Will download anything she reads.

Touching, exuberant, a real blast from the past!

What other book might you compare I'm with the Band to, and why?

The audio style is less like reading a book, more like having a friend on the phone. Most of the book is diary excerpts and she acts them out with breathless teenage excitement. The style might not be to everyone's taste, but bear with it because once you get used to it, it really adds to the naive wonderment of a teenager entering the world of rock and roll. You get to be right there with her and you begin to recall your teenage self.

What does Pamela Des Barres bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

What does really work with this conversational style is that Pamela add asides, clarifications and other thoughts and memories that you would get from the book alone. She also adds a lot of texture, fleshing out the many characters we meet along the way.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It gives a great feel for what it was like to live in Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s. Obviously there are many famous names mentioned, but her recollections of them vary considerably - some passionate, some friendly, some a pointed dislike. Some of her reflections are touching and on occasion achingly sad, the section about Keith Moon especially. She saw them in a way that the public never did and appreciated them as the men behind the fame.

Any additional comments?

This would appeal to anyone who can remember what it was like to be excited by songs and the bands that played them.

Ultimate kiss and tell story

This is very well read and Miss Pamela's asides in the recording booth are absolutely hilarious, adding touches that weren't in either the original or the updated editions. There are some very poignant moments too such as when she reflects that a lot of time has passed since the last paperback version went out and a lot more people aren't around anymore. If you're into the music of that time, particularly the '67-'75 L.A. scene then you've gotta love this!

The divine Miss Pamela

I've read the book several times but it's even better to hear Miss Pamela tell us in person. It's like a fabulous, gossipy sleepover where one of the girls has all the best tales. In the foreword Dave Navarro says for the women to curtail their jealousy and hated. Hatred? For Pamela Miller of Reseda, California? Is he mad? The thing that comes across is her vulnerability and sweetness,; oh and her humour and intelligence. This book is as far from salacious sleaze as possible. It just leaves you wanting moremoremore. Here's to you, doll. Thank you for sharing

I'll Save You the Effort. . . .

What absolute utter drivel. Such a self-righteous, talentless, annoying, immature individual. No revelations revealed here.