I was so heartbroken to learn yesterday that Sable Starr (aka Sabel Starr, aka Sable Shields) has left the building. At only 51 years of age she passed away in her Nevada home, defeated by cancer. Like Ron Asheton, Dave Dee, and Lux Interior, she's ditched '09 for the great big rock show in the sky.
A Johnny Thunders/Sable/Iggy Pop sandwich. Yum! Photo by Bob Gruen.
Sable was among the most infamous of second wave rock groupies, who followed (and fooled around with) artists such as Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and the New York Dolls. With gal pals Queenie and Lori Ligntning often in tow she hit the Hollywood club scene; becoming a fixture at infamous hot spots such as the 'Riot House', Rodney's English Disco, and the Rainbow. A known rival of Pamela des Barres, she was also a regular feature in the short lived groupie-centric Star Magazine. This led to her catching the eye of a certain Johnny Thunders, who eventually became her boyfriend.
Sable raised hell, rocked out, partied like a rockstar, partied with rockstars, and saw the world; all before the age of 21. But then, while many of her cohorts carried on throughout the 80's and 90's, Sable vanished into obscurity.
Rumors of her fate ranged from the very best to the very worst, and only her closest friends (who've honored her privacy all these years) know the full story. What is known is that she eventually had a son, attended card dealing school, and worked at a casino in Nevada. Whatever the case may be, I hope she was given a good hand in life.
R.I.P. Sable. I always hoped I'd meet you. Maybe someday in another life I will : ).
xoxo, SarahJayne
A Johnny Thunders/Sable/Iggy Pop sandwich. Yum! Photo by Bob Gruen.
Sable was among the most infamous of second wave rock groupies, who followed (and fooled around with) artists such as Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, and the New York Dolls. With gal pals Queenie and Lori Ligntning often in tow she hit the Hollywood club scene; becoming a fixture at infamous hot spots such as the 'Riot House', Rodney's English Disco, and the Rainbow. A known rival of Pamela des Barres, she was also a regular feature in the short lived groupie-centric Star Magazine. This led to her catching the eye of a certain Johnny Thunders, who eventually became her boyfriend.
Sable raised hell, rocked out, partied like a rockstar, partied with rockstars, and saw the world; all before the age of 21. But then, while many of her cohorts carried on throughout the 80's and 90's, Sable vanished into obscurity.
Rumors of her fate ranged from the very best to the very worst, and only her closest friends (who've honored her privacy all these years) know the full story. What is known is that she eventually had a son, attended card dealing school, and worked at a casino in Nevada. Whatever the case may be, I hope she was given a good hand in life.
R.I.P. Sable. I always hoped I'd meet you. Maybe someday in another life I will : ).
xoxo, SarahJayne
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