The ultimate fly-on-the wall memoir packed with revelations, intimate insights, and history-making moments from the tour manager, friend, lover, and confidante to some of the most revered rock icons of the 60's, 70's and 80's. Chris O’Dell wasn’t famous. She wasn’t even almost famous. But she was there. From witnessing music history in the recording studio with The Beatles to working for The Rolling Stones during their infamous 1972 American tour, Chris O'Dell has seen and worked for the most influential musicians in rock history during some of their most intimate and awe-inspiring moments. She was in the studio when the Beatles recorded The White Album , Abbey Road , and Let It Be , and she sang in the Hey Jude chorus. She lived with George Harrison and Pattie Boyd and unwittingly got involved in Pattie’s famous love story with Eric Clapton. She’s the subject of Leon Russell’s Pisces Apple Lady. She’s “the woman down the hall” in Joni Mitchell’s song Coyote, the “mystery woman” pictured on the Stones album Exile on Main Street , and the Miss O’Dell of George Harrison’s song. The remarkable, intimate story of an ordinary woman who lived the dream of millions—to be part of rock royalty’s inner circle—Miss O’Dell is a backstage pass to some of the most momentous events in rock history. “If there were such a thing as a female Forrest Gump of rock ‘n’ roll, Chris O’Dell would be it.” -- High Times "One of the most rollicking and enjoyable classic rock memoirs of recent years…don’t mistakenly file this book under Groupie Lit." -- Houston Press “Nick Carraway to classic rock’s Gatsbys…brisk and excellent.” -- The New York Times Book Review From 1968 to 1984, Chris O'Dell worked in the music world as an assistant and tour manager for the most influential musicians of that era. She has appeared on television, radio, and print media relating to her stories of her years with The Beatles and The Stones. She appears in a number of books written about the various groups she worked for including I, Me, Mine by George Harrison; Rolling Thunder Logbook by Sam Shepard; Wonderful Tonight by Patti Boyd; and Clapton by Eric Clapton. Currently, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Counselor. Katherine Ketcham is the coauthor of thirteen books, including the New York Times bestseller Broken: My Story of Addiction and Redemption by William Moyers, the bestselling classics Under the Influence with James Milam, and The Spirituality of Imperfection with Ernest Kurtz. More than 1.4 million copies of her books are in print, and her books have been translated into 13 languages. She has three adult children and lives in Walla Walla, Washington with her husband. Miss O’Dell 1 Derek Taylor February–March 1968 I was sprawled out on the sofa in my Hollywood apartment, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, watching a game show on the black-and-white, thirteen-inch TV, smoking a joint, and getting really annoyed. My date was almost two hours late. I was alone in the apartment because my roommates, both high school friends from Tucson, were out partying. Where the hell was he? When the phone finally rang around 10:00 p.m., I didn’t try to hide the fact that I was upset. “Chris! It’s Allan.” He sounded a little out of breath, and from the background noise I guessed he was in a restaurant somewhere. “Allan, where have you been?” I said. “You said you’d be here two hours ago.” “I know, I’m sorry, but look, I’m at the La Brea Inn with some friends and there’s someone here you have to meet.” Allan was talking fast. “His name is Derek Taylor, he used to work for the Beatles, he’s doing publicity for A&M Records, and, Chris, you just have to come down here and meet him.” “I don’t want to go out. I thought you were coming over here.” I was still annoyed with Allan, and I didn’t believe that this guy Derek knew the Beatles. The Beatles! Who knew anyone who worked for the Beatles? He was probably just one of those people hanging out on the periphery who once met someone who once knew someone who claimed they were once best friends with someone who worked for the Beatles. “Chris, you’ll really like him.” Allan sounded pretty excited, actually. He was almost pleading with me. “Just jump in your car and come over. Come on!” I was torn—should I go or stay? I remember staring at the lamp on the side table, almost as if I thought it might tell me what to do. Allan seemed sincere about wanting me to join him, and whoever Derek was, he had certainly impressed Allan. I’d never seen him act this way about anyone before. Oh, what the heck, whatever happened, it would be better than sitting in my apartment all alone feeling sorry for myself. “Okay,” I said. “I’ll be there in half an hour or so.” “Hurry. I’ll be watching for you,” he said. I changed into my yellow-striped bell-bottom jeans and white top with puffy sleeves (Cher in her “Sonny and” days was my fashion idol