Is ‘Almost Famous’ Based on a True Story?

Even Kate Hudson’s character, Penny Lane, is based on a real person. Pennie Ann Trumbull, also known as Pennie Lane, was a lead groupie in the 1970s just like the Almost Famous character. She’s a friend of Cameron’s, although we don’t know exactly what their relationship was like in the ’70s. Pennie formed the group the Flying Garter Girls after moving to Los Angeles with a musician from Steppenwolf. In Almost Famous, Penny leads the “Band Aids,” who bring William into their fold.