Why do women get categorized?
By Miss O'Dell. Filed in Uncategorized |
I was one of the first, if not the first, tour manager. I have advocated for women all my life. And I still don’t get it. Women constantly get relegated and invalidated when it comes to just about anything.
I have put up with newspapers, magazines, and even my publisher, picking out the salacious bits from my story. Did I use drugs and have sex? You bet. How many people haven’t. Did I sleep with men who were famous? You bet. They were around. But I didn’t go around talking about it. At least not until I wrote my book – thirty to forty years later. And, quite honestly, if you’ve read my book, you know it was pretty, well, superficially touched upon. Radio interviewers and journalists want the details, but I haven’t given any. Did I run drugs? Please!! I did the job that was expected of me at that time. Would I do it today? No Way!!
So the word ‘groupie’, ‘grooviest groupie’ and now ’super groupie’ have been hung on my head. Is that the only word people have for women who worked in rock and roll. Do they call the guys who did the same job I did groupies? Did they write about all the men/musicians who slept around? Of course not! Was I a fan? Yes. We all were fans. Why else would we have been there.
I think it’s time that we as women, and we as men, must stop degrading women with titles. My greatest example to women I work with is: In high school, if you were a girl who had sex, you were a slut. If you were a guy who had sex, you were a stud. What’s wrong with this picture? And we women contribute to it as much as men. I know I’m guilty of it. It’s ingrained in our psyches. We’re just people who do the best we can to survive in this very complex and crazy life.
After twenty years in the rock and roll world, I quit! I moved back to Tucson, raised a son, held down a job, and got two degrees in college. I am writing about this because I have a voice – and I’m going to use it. I hope the rest of you do the same.
Tuesday, January 19th 2010 at 12:55 am
Chris,
Well said!! I don’t care what anyone says, you were, are, and will always be someone who has my utmost respect. You taught me a lot about the music biz and life. You will always be my big sis and my hero.
Aloha
Rayve
Tuesday, January 19th 2010 at 4:32 am
Great post, Chris! Loving your blog. The “groupie” term really bothers me… you are so right that a male tour manager would NEVER be called a groupie. Looking forward to posting part 1 of my interview with you tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 19th 2010 at 10:22 am
Chris,
I agree with you about how unfair the industry is to women. In my many years in and around the music biz I have always found the women I have worked with and have helped me and my bands far more trust worthy and easier to work with. When they were friends they were real friends you could count on.
I can’t wait to read your book, and hear and read some of the interviews.
And if someone has a problem with your book they should go get Sarah Palin’s book!
Neel
Monday, January 25th 2010 at 4:10 pm
Good for you Chris!
I stumbled upon your website while looking for a photo of a warning sign George had at Friar Park to ward off intruders in multiple languages and it’s just made my day. You’re so right concerning the sexism that exists in society BUT you’re not alone! Hope all is well with you and your family.
Brian
P.S. Miss O’Dell is one of my favorite songs sung by George and I routinely sing that tune all that time to myself or out loud. Who is “Ben”? And what’s the story behind the broken phono?
Brian
Boca Raton, Florida
Wednesday, January 27th 2010 at 10:23 am
As usual, a great post. Just wanted to say that, heh.
Sunday, February 21st 2010 at 8:56 pm
PS,,, I just heard you live on the radio with Marty in Cleveland, Ohio. Fantasticccccc
Sunday, February 21st 2010 at 9:04 pm
The live chat on Beatle Brunch (Joe Johnson) tonight was great. Love your book.
Tuesday, February 23rd 2010 at 9:35 am
I was on the Beatle Brunch Live Chat last Sunday and told you how I thought I saw a ‘10 Rules To Live By’ post on your website. I retraced my steps and the website I had accessed was ‘chrisodell.com’ thinking it would be your website. This is another Chris O’Dell.
Thursday, February 25th 2010 at 2:51 pm
You said this so well! Groupie is a terrible word and I know a lot of people who are true music fans today that would agree 100% with you on this.
Your book was a fantastic read, by the way. I finished it just last night & I have a whole new appreciation and understanding of the world of rock n’ roll back in the 60’s and 70’s. Thanks for sharing your story!
Thursday, March 25th 2010 at 8:32 am
Thank you for the excelent post! It’s excellent quality. I have been visiting your website for a a while already and it’s the first time I comment. Keep up the excelent work and keep on delivering high value!
Saturday, March 27th 2010 at 12:28 pm
Hey everyone, greetings from Denmark. This is a nice site. I’m wondering if you have any advice on staying out of the friend zone with girls? I’m really tired of women telling me they just want to be friends. Maybe I’m being too much of a nice guy?
Saturday, May 15th 2010 at 5:00 pm
were you in palm springs this weekend? THought I met you?
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