Permanent Damage: Memoirs of an Outrageous Girl

Mercy Fontenot, a Zelig who grew up in the San Francisco Haight Ashbury scene, was friends with Charles Manson, attended the first Acid Test, and was in Jimi Hendrix's movie Rainbow Bridge. She predicted the Altamont disaster and left San Francisco in 1967. Her work in the GTOs launched her into Rolling Stone in 1969. Her adventures included jumping out of a cake at Alice Cooper's record release party and meeting Al Green. She married and divorced Shuggie Otis, transitioned to punk rock, and worked with the Rockats and Gears. Her memoir, Permanent Damage, captures the 1960s and 1970s music scene and the fallout of that era.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Rare Bird Books

Mercy Fontenot, a Zelig who emerged from the vibrant San Francisco Haight-Ashbury scene, had a remarkable life filled with encounters with iconic figures such as Charles Manson, participation in the first Acid Test, and friendship with Jimi Hendrix. She even made an appearance in Hendrix's film, Rainbow Bridge. Fontenot's prophetic abilities were evident when she predicted the Altamont disaster while reading tarot cards at a party. In 1967, she bid farewell to San Francisco as the Haight lost its enchantment and ventured to the sun-kissed climes of Los Angeles.

Her musical journey took off with the all-female band GTOs, produced by Frank Zappa, which garnered her attention in 1969 when she was featured in Rolling Stone. Fontenot's adventures were extraordinary, including a daring stunt at Alice Cooper's record release party, where she jumped out of a cake while under the influence of PCP. Her travels took her to Memphis, where she crossed paths with Al Green and secured a job with the Bar-Kays. Throughout her journey, Fontenot experienced marriage, divorce, and a transition to punk rock, collaborating with bands like the Rockats and Gears.

Permanent Damage, penned shortly before Fontenot's passing in 2020, offers a captivating glimpse into the world of 1960s and 1970s music through the eyes of this remarkable woman. The book not only delves into the music scene but also explores the aftermath of that era, including Fontenot's experiences with homelessness and her eventual recovery. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the indomitable spirit of those who lived through that transformative time. Whether you were a part of the scene or simply wish you had been, Permanent Damage is a must-read that will transport you back to the era of rock 'n' roll and beyond.

Weight: 368g
Dimension: 148 x 224 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781644281826