Cynthia Plaster Caster: Breaking The Mold

Unveiling the Legends: Dolls of the 60s & 70s

The Dolls Pod season 1 finale is dedicated to a real rock-and-roll legend: artist, “recovering groupie,” and beloved Chicagoan Cynthia Plaster Caster. Cynthia was just as vibrant and fun as she was dedicated to her art. She had a wicked sense of humor, and she lit up every room she was in.

We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to Cynthia’s friends for helping us make this episode happen: Bryan Wendorf, Babette Nov, and our special guest this week, “Plaster Caster” director of photography Jeff Economy. “Cynthia Plaster Caster: Breaking The Mold” is available wherever you listen to your podcasts 🌭 Follow @thedollspod on Instagram to see photos and clips from this episode - and don’t forget to participate in our Q&A!

(Episode starts at 2:19)

Materials used for this episode:“Plaster Caster” (dir. Jessica Villines, 2001)

Bob Bert, “Casting Call: Cynthia Plaster Caster” (BB Gun Issue no. 5, 2001)

David Kamp, “An Oral History of the British Invasion” (Vanity Fair Magazine, 11/2002)

“Casting Call” (Pop Music via the LA Times, 8/18/2002)

Stephanie Goldberg, “A Groupie Legend’s Tribute to Her Casts” (Woman News via the Chicago Tribune, 10/16/2002)

The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University Annual Report (2023)

And very select quotes from Cynthia’s “Done Dick” book proposal, Rig Books, and Breast Cast book

Songs in this episode:

Julian Fulco Perron - “Intermission” (2022)

Paul Revere and the Raiders - “Just Like Me” (1966)

Noel Redding - “She’s So Fine” (1967)

MC5 - “Ramblin Rose” (1969)

Frank Zappa - “Penis Dimension” (from the “200 Motels” soundtrack, 1971)

The GTOs - “Miss Pamela’s First Conversation with the Plaster Casters of Chicago” (1969)

Kiss - “Plaster Caster” (1977)

“Nardwuar the Human Serviette Theme Song”

L7 - “Monster” (1997)