One pictures them anxiously waiting outside dressing rooms backstage, by the bus or limousine just waiting for a chance to see and ideally spend time with the members of their favorite bands or musical groups.
Groupies take the idea of fandom and elevate it to another level. One in which their daily routines, and therefore their lives, revolve around a musician or group of musicians. As often is the case, certain groupies find whatever means necessary to separate themselves from their competitors. The result being that these groupies rise to the top becoming the figureheads for groupies at large, and garnering fame or infamy which can stretch outside the realm of this niche community and spill over into the arena of pop-culture.
Let’s take a look into some these “elite” groupies.
Pamela Anderson
Pamela has led a life littered with private romantic relationships that have become public gossip extravaganzas. The former Baywatch beauty has been involved with a litany of celebrities and a handful of bad-boy musicians including a pair of not-so-private sex-tapes with 1980’s rock royalty Poison front-man Bret Michaels and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. While the turbulent on again/off again relationship and marriage with Lee has drawn its fair share of critics, Anderson’s more recent marriage to rapper turned rocker Kid Rock solidifies her at the pantheon of celebrity groupies.
Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra had followed Anderson’s lead in many respects; from appearing on Baywatch to Playboy Magazine, and of course dating Tommy Lee. Carmen Electra’s sexual exploits have included the mysterious/masterful musician Prince as well as rock guitarist Dave Navarro. Her marriage to Navarro spawned an ill-fated and equally ill-named reality TV show “Til Death Do Us Part Carmen & Dave”. Needless to say the marriage didn’t last much longer than the show.
Groupies are often characterized as individuals whom just want to be close to someone that’s famous. However this pair of examples demonstrates that sometimes celebrities just want members of the band, too.
References
- http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2010/06/11/famous-groupies-and-who-theyve-conquered/
