Feeling nostalgic for the rocker days? Lucky for you, we’re here to transport you back to the rock ‘n’ roll scene where the term groupie first became a thing! Those ecstatic fans who followed bands all over the country, and maybe even world, certainly made their own mark in history. We’ve composed a list of the most famous groupies who were known for their roles in the rockstar lifestyle and certainty their fair share of rocker romances! So, let’s take a look at who inspired those iconic rock lyrics and who made names for themselves beyond the rock world!
Bebe Buell
Naturally, the famous Bebe Buell had to be first. All other groupies can seriously step aside for this ultimate groupie. How was she the ultimate groupie, you ask. Well she hit the pinnacle of her career when she was chosen as the Playmate of the Month for a 1974 issue of Playboy. Let’s not fail to mention, she made a huge decision to uproot from Virginia to pursue her dreams of stardom in New York City. Now, to get to her famous rockstar companions…From 1972 to 1979, she was dating the famous Todd Rundgren. Then, her romantic fling with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, although short-lived, resulted in world famous actress, Liv Tyler!
Bebe Buell
Pamela Anderson
If you don’t recognize this next groupie, you are not forgiven. Seriously, who doesn’t know Pamela Anderson? Well, maybe you did not know she was so well established in the rock scene in addition to her time with Playboy and Baywatch! Her love of rockstars traces back to her three year marriage to Tommy Lee of Motley Crue. Of course, she was also married for a short time to Kid Rock and was dating Bret Michaels at one point. Recently, Pamela has seemed to grow out of the rock scene and focuses on advocating for animal rights with the group PETA. Way to go!
Pamela Anderson
Anita Pallenberg
This so called “It Girl” is none other than Anita Pallenberg. If being called a muse for the Rolling Stones doesn’t make you an iconic groupie, I don’t know what does! Besides her beauty, many admired her for her fabulous style. Surely, she was not just another fan, she actually hung out with and dated band members. Back to the Stones, she was dating Brian Jones for a time before dating bandmate, Keith Richards, who she had three kids with! Despite rumors of an affair with Mick Jagger, Pallenberg has denied these allegations. Sadly, Pallenberg died at 73 years old.
Anita Pallenberg
Tawny Kitaen
The world knew Julie as Tawny Kitaen, famous rock ‘n’ roll groupie. She began to follow bands around LA back in the 70s. Besides starring with legendary actor Tom Hanks in Bachelor Party (1984), you may recognize her from the many music videos she was featured in! If you’ve seen Whitesnake’s videos for either “Still of the Night” or “Here I Go Again,” then you’ve seen her work already. Probably most famous for her marriage to David Coverdale of Whitesnake from 1989 until 1991, she dated other rockers too. If you know RATT, she dated the guitarist, Robbin Crosby from the group. Afterwards, Tawny went on to establish herself as an actress and has done quite well!
Tawny Kitaen
Pamela Des Barres
Remember Almost Famous? Turns out, Pamela Des Barres helped inspire the character! As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Pamela also inspired “Penny Lane” by rock legends the Beatles. Actually, her big break in the rock scene began with her babysitting job for Frank Zappa. He introduced her to many musicians, and she also met plenty of rockers on LA’s sunset strip. Naturally, her closeness to these famous rockers led to numerous affairs. To name some, there were relations with Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page and Keith Moon. Pamela is not just a former groupie though. She also acts, writes and even plays music herself. That’s one talented woman!
Pamela Des Barres
Sable Starr
Next up, the “Queen of the Groupies!” Sable Starr became a sensation with the rockers before she was 18 years old. At the young age of 14, she stepped out onto the groupie scene. So, who was this groupie involved with? Let’s see…there was Alice Cooper, Rod Stewart, Iggy Pop and Mick Jagger, to name a few. Years later, she even revealed her crush on Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. Unfortunately, this iconic groupie passed away from brain cancer back in 2009.
Sable Starr
Carmen Electra
Another Baywatch and Playboy veteran, we have the famous Carmen Electra up next! Originally Tara Leigh Patrick, this star has really made a name for herself and also clearly, has a thing for rockers. Of course we knew she had a short marriage to NBA star Dennis Rodman, but she also dated her fair share of rockers. In addition, Prince helped the star release a record of her own. Back to the rockers, she was dating Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee for a time. Then, she married Jane’s Addition’s Dave Navarro. The more you know…
Carmen Electra
Lori Maddox
Wait, remember how we said Sable inspired Almost Famous? Well, so did Lori Maddox who was her best friend. Thus, we have another iconic groupie who was part of the “baby groupies” due to their young ages. Word on the street is that her first intimate acts happened with David Bowie. Of course, nothing is confirmed. Her most famous rocker relationship would be when she was dating Jimmy Page for years. Are you surprised to hear she was the inspiration for the Led Zeppelin song, “Sick Again?” Like other groupies, she also was linked to Mick Jagger. However, with her groupie days behind her, she is a buyer and partner for a boutique in Los Angeles.
Lori Maddox
Nancy Spungen
Tragically, Nancy Spungen’s life ended at 20 years old from a stabbing in her hotel room. Many were concerned because she self medicated for her schizophrenia with drugs. At one point, she even resorted to prostituting herself for money. As far as rockers go, she hung around Aerosmith, The New York Dolls and The Ramones. She famously dated Sid Vicious from the Sex Pistols and even moved all the way to London to be fully immersed in the punk rock world. We only wish her time as a groupie resulted in a better outcome. Taken too soon, RIP Nancy.
Nancy Spungen
Marianne Faithfull
We have Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog to thank for discovering Marianna Faithfull. This British singer made it to the spotlight for her own music and relations with rockers. Probably the most iconic would be her years dating Mick Jagger. In addition, she got involved with other rockers and even other Rolling Stones bandmates. Again, it was not just hanging out as a groupie that rocketed her to fame, she also had a successful singing career.
Marianne Faithfull
Erin Everly
Have you ever wondered whose face could make Axl Rose break down and cry if he stared too long? Who has hair that reminds him of a warm, safe place? That woman would be the famous Erin Everly! That’s right, Erin is the inspiration for “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” Check the music video, she starred in it too! Not to mention, she was married to Axl Rose for a year.
Erin Everly
Pattie Boyd
Again, this iconic groupie has had quite the career of her own. She’s a world famous model and photographer who has made Vogue’s cover in the past. Her famous photos of musicians like Eric Clapton and George Harrison spread across the globe. Well, we would be remiss not to mention she also had relationships with those two rockers. In fact, she was Harrison’s first wife. They stayed married for eleven years, ending the marriage in 1977. Then, she became Clapton’s muse for his iconic song, “Layla.” Her and Clapton were married until 1989.
Pattie Boyd
Bianca Jagger
It’s no secret who this famous groupie was involved with. Yup, Mick Jagger. Bianca made a name for herself among rockers back in the elite Studio 54. Many knew her for her elegance and grace. Of course, her marriage to Mick Jagger propelled her to even higher levels of fame. They had one daughter, Jane, together. Even though she has since separate from her former rockstar husband, she maintained a presence in the rock scene. Additionally, she spends time advocating for human rights. She even chairs an organization she founded called the Bianca Jagger Rights Foundation.
Bianca Jagger
Courtney Love
How could we have an iconic groupie list without the famous Courtney Love. Of course, we all know about her marriage to Kurt Cobain of Nirvana. However, Love delved into the rocker scene well before her relationship with the late Cobain. She dated many rockers like Billy Corgan from The Smashing Pumpkins and even REM’s Michael Stipe. Let’s not forget that Courtney is also a musician who still sings!
Courtney Love
Chris O’Dell
Working as an assistant for Apple Labels, Chris O’Dell found herself acquainted with the Beatles since that’s where their account was managed. There, O’Dell first got her introduction to the groupie lifestyle. But wait, does she have a song? Of course! Obviously, “O’Dell” was written by George Harrison with her inspiration. After spending time with the Beatles, she still kept in contact with Ringo Starr and Harrison, but spent more time with Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones. Obviously, there were just too many rockstars to go around!
Chris O’Dell
Tura Satana
This groupie caught known other than the king, Elvis Preseley’s eye! Yeah so if you want to be technical, many trace the beginnings of the groupie atmosphere to the iconic Tura. Elvis apparently saw her dancing in Chicago when he first became interested. Thus, began a short romance. Allegedly, she refused his marriage proposal but kept the ring. Now, that’s iconic in itself! Perhaps, you recognize her from her acting roles in movies such as Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!(1965) or even the sci-fi horror The Astro-Zombies(1968). Sadly, this Japanese American actress passed away in 2011.
Tura Satana
Cleo Odzer
What began as a writing gig for a small paper in Greenwich Village in the late 60s, led to her groupie fame! Let’s backtrack. So, as Cleo reported on musical acts, she ended up meeting Keith Emerson from the band Emerson, Lake & Palmer in a club. Thus, began their romance, which even led to engagement. According to Odzer, after Keith Emerson spotted an article with her that called her a “Super Groupie,” he ended the engagement. The label groupie did not affect Odzer so negatively though. She recorded her own album titled The Groupies with friends, detailing all of their adventures with rockers. After her time as a super groupie, she went to India, which is where she died in 2001.
Cleo Odzer
Donna D’Errico
We are not quite done with Baywatch actresses. Here, we have Donna D’Errico who also made Playmate of the Month back in 1995. If we have to pick one famous relationship, it would be when she dated Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx. Actually, the two were married for close to a decade. Together, they had one daughter. Oh, and today, she continues to pursue acting.
Donna D’Errico
Brandi Brandt
It’s only natural that Brandi Brandt come next. Before Donna, Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx was married to this former Playmate for seven years. Together, they had three children and divorced in 1996. It was Bandi’s mother who inspired her love for rock. Brandi’s mom drummed for the band American Girls. Since her time as a Playmate in 1987, she has gone on to act and model in various projects. Most notably, she starred in Aerosmith’s “Love in an Elevator.”
Brandi Brandt
Bobbie Brown
Just to be clear, there is no relationship to the makeup founder Bobbi Brown. Now, Bobbie Brown was a former Miss Louisiana Teen from 1987. Often called Bobbie Lane-Brown, she’s also acted in small TV roles, as well as music videos. She’s the famous actress in “Cherry Pie” by the band Warrant. Of course, she’s also featured on their album cover. Fun fact, it was during the shoot for “Cherry Pie” that she met her former husband, Jani Lane. After that marriage, she spent some time engaged to Tommy Lee. If you recall, he married Pamela Anderson after that failed engagement. Now, Bobbie is happily dating Joshue Bissell from Joy Island, who she has been with since 2014.
Bobbie Brown
Connie Hamzy
“Sweet Connie” or Connie Hamzy hails from Arkansas. If you are familiar, she inspired the Grank Funk Railroad “We’re an All American Band” lyrics, “Sweet, sweet Connie, doin’ her act. She had the whole show, and that’s a natural fact.” Allegedly, she had a relationship with famous rockers Keith Moon, Alice Cooper and John Bonham. But, if you are dying to hear more, read her autobiography and hear it for yourself! Appropriately, it’s called Rock Groupie: The Intimate Adventures of “Sweet Connie” from Little Rock.
Connie Hamzy
Kendra Jade
Another groupie who took a big leap, Kendra left her home in Massachusetts to move to California while in her 20s. She spent years enjoying the groupie lifestyle, working as an actress, model and adult film star. Perhaps, you’ve seen her on TV shows, or the The Howard Stern Radio Show. Now, she settled down with Canadian rocktar Lukas Rossi. Back in 2007, they married and have since adopted a child. This former groupie now fights for animal rights and even runs her own rescue! How sweet!
Kendra Jade
Josie Stevens
Our next former groupie has really made a name for herself in the industry. Not only did she model for video game characters and Playboy, but she is a renowned makeup artist. Back in 2008, Josie married Steve Stevens of Billy Idol. Of course, she has continued to help her husband with his stage makeup. That’s not all though. She started her own clothing line that big time icons like Paris Hilton and Nicki Minaj sport. Let’s not forget the married couple’s appearance on the reality show, Married to Rock.
Josie Stevens
Heather Locklear
Duh, we all know Heather Locklear for her award winning performances in films. From Melrose Place, Dynasty to Spin City, her talent has not gone unnoticed. However, did you know about her inclination for rockers? From 1986 to 1993, she was married to Tommy Lee from Motley Crue. Afterwards she spent some years married to Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi, but they got divorced back in 2007.
Heather Locklear
Audrey Hamilton
Maybe Audrey Hamilton stands apart because she chose not to pursue an acting or modeling career post groupie fame. However, she surely made the 70s memorable. She famously dated Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. Things shifted after his son passed, but the two dated until then in 1977. After that famous relationship, Hamilton went on to date Ace Frehley from Kiss. They allegedly have a child together, but no one knows for sure.
Audrey Hamilton
Kathleen Dorritie
Things got started for Kathleen Dorritie back when she began as Bowie’s publicist and landed a role in Andy Warhol’s play Pork. Maybe you know her rocker name, Cherry Vanilla. Her close friendship with superstar Andy Warhol shows that her influences expanded beyond just the traditional rock world. One star she spent a lot of time with was John Lennon.
Kathleen Dorritie
Cathy Smith
Unfortunately, this groupie’s most famous tale does not have a happy ending. Many have heard her name in relation to John Belushi and his tragic death. However, before that horrible event, she spent a good deal of time with The Band and inspired a lyric in their song “The Weight.” Her lyrical influence did not stop there. “Sundown” by Canadian Gordon Lightfoot was written about their rocky relationship. Not to mention, she also sang backup. According to her, Richard Manuel from The Band proposed to her, but she turned him down.
Cathy Smith
Cynthia Albritton
Up next, we have a groupie who went above and beyond. No, this is not another ecstatic fan who just want to brag about romances with rockers. Actually, Cynthia thought creating special art was the best gift for her favorite rockers. So now she has become famous for these plaster casts of private parts of musicians. Even Frank Zappa applauded her skills and aided her move to LA so she could continue her artistic journey. If you were wondering, the famous Jimi Hendrix was her very first mold! What a brave soul.
Cynthia Albritton
Roxana Shirazi
This groupie’s first taste for the spotlight and rock lifestyle can be traced to her work as a belly dancer. Roxana’s family escaped the revolution in Iran and fled to London. It was in London where she formed relations with bands like Black Cherry and even Guns N’ Roses. Just like other former groupies, Roxana wrote a tell-all memoir about these rockstar romances.
Roxana Shirazi
Pleather
Obviously, Pleather is something special, as he’s the only non female on the list. Yes, there are male groupies too! If you want to know the ultimate male groupie, look no further. Despite having mysterious motives, Pleather maintained notoriety throughout the 80s and 90s in LA. From following L7, The Bangles and the famous Courtney Love, Pleather truly made a name for himself. When Des Barres interviewed him, he spoke about his time with Courtney Love.
Pleather
Uschi Obermaier
Back when this international model was living in West Berlin, she caught the attention of rocker Jimi Hendrix. Quickly, the two fell in love. Naturally, the left-wing commune the model lived in really blended well with the rockstar lifestyle. There’s even a cameo of Obermaier and Hendrix kissing in front of a West Berlin hotel in the movie Last Experience. Unlike famous people who keep their love lives private, Uschi was very public about her love life. In fact, this played a part in the sexual revolution. Allegedly, she had affairs with both Keith Richards and Mick Jagger during their 1975 tour.
Uschi Obermaier
Mystery Woman
Mysteriously, this photo circulated of Elvis and an anonymous groupie. It took close to 60 years before the world learned who this iconic groupie was! Barbara Gray has since come forward. She has left her rock scene days behind her and is married to a real estate manager. Back when this iconic photo was captured, she had been invited to a Richmond concert of Elvis’. Let’s back up…so a dare led her to call this rocker’s hotel, which turned into an hour phone call and ended with an invitation to his concert. And, well, one thing led to another!
Mystery Woman
Judy and Karen
This famous duo was known as much as fashionistas as they were for being groupies! Judy Wong and Karen Seltenrich made history for their celebrated fashion trends in the rock world. Actually, Wong owned her own California clothing store. judy and Karen became huge names in the fashion and rock industries. Not to mention, Karen was featured as the cover for a 1969 Rolling Stone issue. Probably most known for their creation for The Cockettes, we cannot emphasize enough the influence these two had on rock trends.
Judy And Karen
Winona Ryder
Currently, celebrated for her role in Netflix’s Stranger Things, there’s more to this famous actress than you realize! She’s had an interest in rockers for some time. She dated Dave Grohl of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters, Jack White from The White Stripes and Conor Oberst from Bright Eyes. Yeah, she definitely has a type! Let’s not fail to mention her connection to a Green Day member. However, she keeps her romantic life private.
Winona Ryder
Sanchez Twins
Only a few of these groupies can claim they were in the elite group and the Sanchez twins are two of them! Even the photographer for Rolling Stones noted how unique Laura and Lynn are, “These ladies were different from all the girls I knew – all the women I knew – and Jann [Rolling Stone editor] agreed it was a good idea; it ultimately became so interesting and extensive that it became an entire issue.”
Sanchez Twins
The GTOs
Of course, we have to talk about The GTOs, the groupies who formed a band! They weren’t just in it for the rockstars, drugs or fame, but they genuinely loved the music. Frank Zappa helped formed the seven girl group. One member said the band was “a really outrageous, loud group of girls who just wanted to turn heads and have fun.” Sadly, they only stayed together for just over two years and released one album.
The GTOs
Pamela Manning
Manning traveled around with Guns N’ Roses. However, she wasn’t just a groupie following the band. No, Pamela Manning actually got paid to be a dancer on stage with the band. Oh, she also danced in some of their music videos. She has explained in interviews that she feels being called a groupie hurt her career. Actually, she said the band members would follow her around and jokingly asked her if they were the groupies.
Pamela Manning
Nico
Although she made a name for herself as a groupie first, this star was able to become a rockstar herself. She sang for the debut album for the band The Velvet Underground & Nico after Andy Warhol insisted. The German-born star had relationships with Jim Morrison, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and Jackson Browne. Sadly, she died from a heart attack at age 49 in 1988.
Nico
Rachel Hunter
New Zealand supermodel Rachel Hunter was married to British rocker Rod Stewart for 16 years. They had two kids together. Before Stewart, she dated Kip Winger from the band Winger. Oh and she’s dated Robbie Williams. Apparently, her divorce from Stewart left him “emotionally broken.” When they married, she was just 21 years old and he was 45. Now, he’s married to the model Penny Lancaster.
Rachel Hunter
Cher
Before she became the Goddess of Pop, she spent time on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip in the clubs getting to know managers, agents, performers and anyone else worth knowing. Then in 1962, she met Sonny Bono. First, she worked for him as a housekeeper until they got close and she sang backup for him. Alas, she started making her own music and became a star!
Cher
Trixie Merkin
First things first, her real name is not Trixie Merkin. Anyway, she was famously photographer for the Rolling Stone issue of rockstar groupies. While she didn’t identify as a groupie, she was also well known for her skills as a bass guitarist. Of course, she also famously came to Wolman’s photoshoop topless. She dropped out of Stanford and pursued a career in music, performing in the bands Monkey Siren and Mister Sister.
Trixie Merkin
Madonna
Madonna, Queen of Pop, certainly stands out from the rest of the groupies. However, she does seem to date many musicians. Of course, we have to note she got her start singing backup and dancing for Patrick Hernandez. Anyway, some of her past musician partners include, Lenny Kravitz, Tupac Shakur and Stephen Bray. Madonna and Tupac broke up in 1994, but a year after, he claimed he ended things because she was white.
Madonna
Lacy
Not many know much about Lacy. All that people know of her are those incredible photos of her featured in Rolling Stone. She just sat down and lit a joint while reading the magazine. This photo was for a Christmas card sent to subscribers. Apparently, photographer Wolman fell in love with her and admitted he couldn’t stop shooting her. His photos of her inspired women to embrace their sexuality. Even those who knew Lucy back in the 60’s don’t know what she’s up to now.
Lacy
Morgana Welch
Like many other groupies at the time, Morgana Welch first came onto the scene by hanging at the Sunset clubs when she was very young. Apparently, she was the ringleader of the groupies known as “The LA Queens.” She was also a favorite of the band Led Zeppelin. Afterwards, Welch even wrote about her time with the rock bands called, Laurel Canyon: The Inside Story of Rock-and-Roll’s Legendary Neighborhood. The last people heard, she became a web consultant in Arizona.
Morgana Welch
Annette Walter-Lax
Annette Walter-Lax was especially close to Keith Moon, drummer in The Who. Actually, she was with the star when he passed away. Apparently, he requested she make him dinner but she refused and told him where to go. Then he died of a drug overdose shortly after. Annette was completely distraught over his death because she was deeply in love with Moon. She even heard he might propose to her later that day. Eventually, she found love with actor Gareth Hunt. They had a son but got divorced.
Annette Walter-Lax
Julia Holcomb
When Steven Tyler was 27, he began dating 17 year old Julia Holcomb. They first met at an Aerosmith concert when Julia was just 16 years old. They dated for three years but then broke up after their unplanned pregnancy resulted in an abortion. Also Steven Tyler mentioned her as Diane Hall in his book, Walk This Way, in order to respect her privacy.
Julia Holcomb
Mandy Smith
Bill Wyman from the Rolling Stones started dating Mandy Smith when the girl was only 13 years old! They met at a British club. In 1989, they got married when Mandy was 18. After two years, they separated. Years later, Smith spoke with the Daily Mail and said, “It’s not about being physically mature. It’s emotional maturity that matters. I don’t think most 16-year-olds are ready. I think the age of consent should be raised to 18 at a minimum, and some girls aren’t even ready then.”
Mandy Smith
Kate Hudson
Many say that Kate Hudson has a thing for musicians. I mean she was married to Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. The two had a son together. Oh and let’s not forget after that when she was dating Muse’s Matt Bellamy. The two also had a son together, but ended their engagement in 2014. However, they remain on good terms.
Kate Hudson
Evan Rachel Wood
Back in 2007, Evan Rachel Wood (now the star of Westworld) began dating rocker Marilyn Manson. They got engaged, but then broke up in 2010. At the time they started dating, she was 18 and Marilyn was 36 years old. They met while he was still married to the burlesque star, Dita Von Teese. Oh and Wood starred in his video for “Heart-Shaped Glasses.” She later said, “I was craving danger and excitement. I looked at my mother one day and said, ‘Mom, I’m gonna get on this tour bus for eight months and see the world and have a crazy journey and find myself, and if people aren’t OK with that, I’m sorry, but I can’t live my life for other people.”
Evan Rachel Wood
Denise Richards
Denise Richards had an on and off again relationship with Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi. Just after Richie Sambora got divorced from Heather Locklear and Richards broke up with Charlie Sheen, the two got together. Apparently, Locklear did not take it so well that her longtime friend was with her ex. However, they have since reconciled.
Denise Richards
Patti Hansen
Back in 1983, Keith Richards married Patti Hansen, a model and actress from New York. Now, they have two daughters and have been together ever since! Richards also has three children with his former girlfriend, actress Anita Pallenberg.
Patti Hansen