Margaret Cho on I'm With the Band

Quick Answer:

In this exclusive interview, comedian Margaret Cho discusses Pamela Des Barres' groundbreaking 1987 rock memoir I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie and its profound influence on her artistic development. Cho analyzes how the book reframed groupie culture, altered her perception of fame, and helped shape her own stand-up writing and performance style.

Key Insights

• Vulnerability as Empowerment: Des Barres' candid writing proved that documenting personal experiences unapologetically strips away societal judgment.

• The Spiritual Nature of Performance: While comedy engages the life of the mind, live music functions as a visceral, transcendental experience that unites an audience.

• Disciplined Intentionality: Professional creative success requires daily commitment, represented by Cho's ritual of writing jokes immediately upon waking.
  
  
  

What happens when an introverted teenager grows up inside a San Francisco bookstore? Then, she discovers an unfiltered account of 1960s rock excess.

For comedian Margaret Cho, Pamela Des Barres’ memoir became a creative guide. It taught her to live boldly and use vulnerability as a source of power.

Their eventual real-world friendship and editorial collaboration helped mold Cho into one of comedy's most fearless voices.

Introduction

When Margaret Cho sat down for this interview, she brought decades of experience in comedy, performance art, and rock culture.

Cho is known for her groundbreaking stand-up career. She also grew up surrounded by books at her family's San Francisco bookstore, Paperback Traffic.

There, she spent countless hours reading and observing people. Those early experiences helped shape her voice as a performer and writer.

Among the countless volumes she encountered, Pamela Des Barres' 1987 memoir I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie left an indelible mark on her teenage years. Years later, Des Barres would become a personal friend and editor to Cho, helping her refine her voice. In this conversation, Cho breaks down the cultural legacy of the text, the spiritual nature of music versus comedy, and the personal discipline behind her artistic success.

About the Book

Published in 1987,  I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie by Pamela Des Barres is an autobiographical chronicle detailing the 1960s and 1970s rock and roll scene. As a member of the Frank Zappa-produced group GTOs, Des Barres witnessed rock history firsthand. She also wrote about relationships with Mick Jagger, Jim Morrison, Jimmy Page, and Keith Moon.

However, the memoir is more than a tell-all. It also serves as a record of a changing cultural era.

Through personal diary entries, Des Barres captures the rise of global rock culture. She also highlights the women who moved within its inner circles.

Growing Up at Paperback Traffic

Cho’s early life was anchored in her parents' San Francisco bookstore, Paperback Traffic, which they purchased in 1978 in the Polk District. As an introverted nine-year-old child of progressive Korean immigrants, Cho spent her days organizing specialty periodicals and reading Philip K. Dick and John Waters.

Cho's Early Environment:

[Family Bookstore: Paperback Traffic] ──> [Polk District Cultural Hub] ──> [Tragic Impact of the AIDS Crisis] ──> [Shift to Theater & Comedy]

The bookstore served as a community hub for local artists, writers like Armistead Maupin, and early supporters of Harvey Milk. However, the onset of the AIDS epidemic in the late 1970s and 1980s severely impacted the neighborhood, decimating the local clientele and fundamentally shaping Cho's early understanding of community and loss.

Finding Her Voice Through Theater and Rock

Despite her naturally shy demeanor, Cho enrolled in a specialized theater high school, where she learned to project a performative extroversion on stage. This capability ultimately served as her gateway into stand-up comedy.

Developing Performative Extroversion:

[Naturally Introverted Personality] ──> [Specialized Theater School] ──> [Performative Extroversion] ──> [Stand-Up Stage Presence]

Simultaneously, Cho developed a passion for live music, frequenting goth clubs like Bournemouth's "The Third Side" in England and sneaking backstage at local concerts like Fishbone and Chris Isaak. For Cho, observing live performances provided a unique lens on fame, proxy power, and stage presence.

Pamela Des Barres: From Memoir to Mentorship

Cho first read I'm With the Band as a teenager, initially drawn to its frank depictions of celebrity culture and romantic longing. As an adult, Cho revisited the text, realizing that Des Barres was not merely a bystander, but a formidable artist and writer in her own right.

Evolution of Cho's Relationship with the Text:

[Teenage Reader of I'm With the Band] ──> [Appreciation of Unapologetic Voice] ──> [Direct Mentorship & Editing by Des Barres]

Des Barres later became Cho’s mentor and editor. She encouraged Cho to stop censoring herself and express her ideas without fear.

Cho also learned an important lesson from her. A strong passion for life and art can support a lasting creative career.

Daily Rituals and the Life of the Mind

To maintain her comedic focus, Cho relies on a strict daily regimen. Every morning upon waking, her first action is to write a new joke to anchor her focus on her artistic purpose.

Cho's Morning Regimen:

[Waking Up Early] ──> [Write a Daily Joke] ──> [Spiritual Reading & Meditation] ──> [Daily Tasks & Pet Care]

This morning discipline is followed by spiritual reading, a full hour of silent meditation or box breathing, and caring for her pets. Through these deliberate daily practices, Cho balances the intense demands of touring with a grounded personal life.

For further reflection on how literature shapes identity and personal growth, explore our discussion with  Jordy on I Let You Go and Finding Empathy Through Fiction.

Reflection & Call to Action

Margaret Cho's perspective highlights how literature can push us to embrace our true selves without hesitation. When we share our authentic stories, we inspire others to move past fear and claim their own creative authority. To listen to the complete audio discussion, check out our official podcast episode page or browse additional literary discussions on the Books That Changed My Life main blog.

If you are ready to stop watching from the sidelines and claim your own ultimate authority, take charge of your personal legacy with the exclusive I AM LEADER Presentation Book Set. This limited-edition training system provides the exact structural blueprints needed to defend your autonomy and unlock your maximum leadership potential.

About the Guest

Margaret Cho is an acclaimed stand-up comedian, actor, author, and musician. Raised in San Francisco, she rose to prominence with her groundbreaking stand-up comedy specials and television roles. An advocate for social justice, Cho continues to tour globally with her comedy shows, including her recent "Choligarchy" tour, and appears in major film projects such as Greg Araki's I Want Your Sex.

FAQ Section

Q: Which book did Margaret Cho discuss as a major influence on her life? 
A: Cho discussed Pamela Des Barres' 1987 rock memoir, I'm With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie.

Q: What was the name of Margaret Cho's parents' bookstore in San Francisco?
A: Her parents owned Paperback Traffic, a specialty bookstore located in the Polk District of San Francisco.

Q: What is Margaret Cho's specific morning ritual for comedy writing?
A: Cho writes a new joke every morning as soon as she wakes up to remind herself of her professional purpose before meditating.

Q: What role did Pamela Des Barres play in Margaret Cho's writing career?
A: Des Barres served as an editor and mentor for Cho, encouraging her to write candidly and without fear of external judgment.

Final Thoughts

Authentic artistic expression requires discarding the need for external permission. As Margaret Cho's reflections on I'm With the Band illustrate, leaning into raw honesty and pursuing what you love creates a lasting legacy. By honoring our inner drives and staying committed to daily practice, we convert personal passion into an enduring force for art.