Bebe Buell Rock n Roll Rebel Heart

By Cyndi Ford

Some dream about the simple things, and others dream big, While the brave chose to live out their dream. Bebe Buell continues to live a life that most could only dream about, from mom to the beautiful and extremely talented Liv Tyler, grandmother to a precious grandson, and Full-On rock 'n roll queen. Some people are satisfied living on their accomplishments, but Mrs. Buell continues to live in the now, and reach for the future...for this, I totally admire her.

As I chatted with Bebe, on what was a busy afternoon for us both, I felt inspired by the energy that she still has, and her desire to keep moving forward. I must admit that I was nervous, but Bebe was easy to talk to and sweet as sugar, I hope everyone enjoys our conversation as much as I did....


You have gotten to do the things that most girls could only dream about, modelling, music career, mother, grandmother, best selling author and dated all the hottest guys. What are some of the memories that stand out as your proudest moments?

When I think about my youth, I think about the private moments, like falling in love for the first time, giving birth to Liv, my first cover of a magazine. You see, when my Playboy centerfold came out, in 1974, fashion models and rock star's girl friends had never done it. These are things that I look back on, and am thankful for, but I try to live in the now. I take things day by day and don’t look back. I think it’s important to continue to grow. I have had to fight sexism and age-ism- I'm speaking to women of all ages when I say that they need to believe in themselves. As soon as I dated my second rock star, I was automatically linked to that, and had to fight it. But I have been a singer all my life. I began in 6th grade- I was in the chorus- an alto even then. Finally getting some respect feels really good. I've worked hard and have an enormous body of material at this stage of the game.


When did you know you wanted to play in a band, and who were your inspirations?

I envisioned myself as a singer when I was around 10 after watching the Beatles and the Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan show. In my book, Rebel Heart, there is a photo of me on the back cover with a purple hat and a fabulous jacket, that was made by Miss Christine from the GTO’s for Todd Rundgren...when I see that pic, I can see the Jagger in me. Jagger taught me how rock stars were supposed to move, and dress. Mick always dated independent women. He liked for them to have jobs and personal identities, like Marianne Faithfull. My mom sent my High School graduation pic to the Ford modeling agency. This is what got me to NY, and made the rest possible. Modelling got my foot in the door.


There's a great image of you wearing a stunning black dress with a matching Les Paul. Tell us about it, and how long have you been playing?

That's Jim’s guitar, he also has a white one. He's a very talented musician- my partner in crime. I'm left handed, and when we first started dating he bought me a left-handed Rickenbacker...I prefer not to play whilst singing, my mic stand is my instrument, my weapon. When I was a kid, I wanted a tambourine, to be like Mick Jagger. Occasionally, I use a guitar to get the melody of a song, but I have Jim who can play my thoughts and inspiration for me and we can really relate to what the other is feeling. My current obsession is mastering the harmonica. Steven Tyler gave me three of his and I want to wail on those babies!!


You were in NY in the 70‘s and 80's, tell us about a typical night out on the town, who did you hang out with and where did you go?

I was in NYC in the 70‘s more, on and off in the 80‘s, and moved back in 1989. The 70's were a time in NYC that will never happen again. A magical never never land of music and fashion. I also spent a lot of time in London in the 70's. After Liv was born in 1977, I chose to spend more time trying to be a good mom, trying to keep a normal home life for Liv while I was working in the band The B-Sides. I even tried living in LA in the summer of 1978 (the summer I met Elvis Costello there) but didn't like it. Missed NYC too much. During the 80's I hung out with Ric Ocasek of the Cars, Rick Derringer (Ric and Rick were my first producers), and Brian Setzer from the Stray Cats- my musician buddies. In 1985 I met Charles Hall and we formed The Gargoyles. In 1991 while living in NYC I met someone else I stupidly married- I would rather not mention, we've all had our mistakes and regrets in life...and then I met Jim in 1998- my saviour. I'm a hard working musician. I gave it up for a couple years to be a present mom/manager in the 90's but it's obvious the real person I am is a bonafide rock chick. One who has worn many hats but my favorite hat is my ROCK hat! I even managed to release an album in 1994 called 'Retrosexua'l during the peak of my manager years. I could never stray too long from my music. It's in my blood for life. I got back onstage for good in 1998 thanks to my mentor and biggest supporter, Don Hill.


When you first started in music, you mixed in some good company and had bands such as The Cars as your backing band. Who are some of the others you have had the opportunity to play with?

Brian Setzer, Todd Rundgren, Rick Derringer, Cyndi Lauper, Alice Cooper, Hall and Oates, of course the Ramones. Patti Smith and I used to sing to Stooges and MC5 records, ha! We would sing like animals into our hair brushes. When I first saw her she was a poet, then it evolved into spoken word plus guitar with Lenny Kaye. Little by little they added more musicians, and Patti singing of course. Singing is more about emotion to me, and I would love to do a duet with Marianne Faithful, Debbie Harry or Patti. I've also been part of cool local scenes in Boston and Portland, Maine- I found myself in those pockets throughout my career.


You always look fantastic, what are your favorite products, and do you have any tips for us girls?

It’s genetic, my dad just turned 92 and my mom 82, everyone in my family still has a youthful appearance. I also suggest lots of rest, and drinking plenty of water. I don’t eat meat- try not to put dead animals into your body...I'm not overboard with it, but I appreciate it when my friends don’t do it in front of me. I also love good face creams like La Mer. I use one jar a year, just a dime size, in your hand, warm it with your two fingers and then pat on your face. Exfoliate, I love Korean spas...they're affordable and the Koreans have extensive knowledge of many healthy things like saunas-either mud or pyramid, and steaming your skin. I like to go from hot to cold and back and forth. It also helps to try not to live in the past, everyone makes mistakes. We all need to learn to move on. A clean head makes for a healthy body.



Speaking of fashion, you have impeccable taste, who are your favorite designers, and where do you shop?

I shop at a lot of places. Vintage stores, Soho in NYC, the lower East & West sides, H&M, Marshall’s, TJ Max, Chanel, Alexander McQueen (RIP, he was a genius)- he did the skull ring on cover of Hard Love. I also adore thrift shops. I'm lucky sometimes and designers give me things such as Givenchy, because of Liv, they give me bags and scarves. I feel very blessed when that happens. I collect top hats. But I don’t just shop for designer wear- price tag is not the point. I buy to have clothes for stage. I appreciate something unique. My favorite designer is Valentino, his brilliance makes me weep. I like Betsy Johnson, she makes cool clothes that are not slutty, but cute and affordable. Target and H&M also make it affordable for girls to shop. I really like Michael Schmidt, he did the chain link dress for Cher, the bubble outfit for Lady Gaga that she wore on her Rolling Stone cover. He makes amazing jewellery too. When I go traditional it is Calvin Klein, I have numerous suits by him. As my mom says, we are gonna wear black until they come up with a color blacker, hahaha.


You have had quite a year, being in the studio and releasing your latest album, 'Hard Love', tell us how that is going?

Its been a journey. In 2009 I released the album 'Sugar', in 2011 'Hard Love'. The reviews are good- especially good for 'HARD LOVE'. I’ve been doing lots of shows on Sirius radio, Dial Global, E-News , NY live...trying to get it out there the best I can. I would love to have some of my songs used in a sound tack. They would work well with that type of climate, gotta think outside the box. “Mother of Rock & Roll" is an anthem, and describes who I am in a nutshell. I'm not a young chickie, I'm a rock chick. I have a vitality that should be inspiring to people. It could be an anthem for all women.

[Röckson here], tell me Bebe, that gorgeous acoustic you're holding there with the 'Dio' name carved into it....what's the story?

It is a custom made one just for him....it has his name carved onto the front. If you look carefully, around the soundhole, it says his full name Ronnie James Dio. The guitar hangs in his former man-cave in his house in Encino. It was where he would go to fool around in his home studio or use the computer, etc... I was honored to pose with it. I also felt the incredible energy it emitted. RIP, Ronnie. The house, btw, is now occupied by his widow, Wendy Dio. A lot of the new photos of me gracing my new album 'HARD LOVE' and on the cover of SOUNDCHECK taken by Alan Mercer were done at this property.

You recently had the album launch party at the Hiro Ballroom in NYC, how did that go, and tell us about the Don Hill Tribute show you played this week?

Third time we've sold Hiro out because I've got wonderful loyal fans, I love to look in the audience and see my babies out there, the young girls, letting me be their mommy, yet rock their faces off...kids just want music to be good. Then it's up to artist like me to figure out how to get our music out there. Only a handful of musicians like me, stays true to their vision. The Heart sisters are rockers, but even they had to slow their stuff down, to grab the commercial audience

For the Don Hill show everyone did 2 songs each, there was a great line-up of some of the finest musicians, David Johansen of the New York Dolls, Richard Butler of the Psychedelic Furs, Jayne County, The Toilet Boys- to name a few...and me.
My next few shows will be at a place called The Cutting Room- it used to be at a different location in NYC. The new Cutting Room, is located on 32nd Street. I'm very excited about this venue. After losing some of the premier rooms, such as CBGB’s and Don’s place, having a rock club with a great stage is fantastic. We're going to be playing a residency that begins on Feb. 1. Then Feb. 8th and 29th Hopefully when all the agents see this show, it will open the door for touring. I hope to get a sponsor, as this would help pay for the expense of touring. I have done the tours where you are travelling in a van, in and out, not how I want to do things this time. I have some amazing musicians touring with me, and they deserve the best. NYC is my home, so I hope to have a great turn out for the shows. The Goddess Mary Raffaele will open all the shows. She did a fabulous job and got a standing ovation when she opened for me at the Hiro Ballroom.. The Indecent will be on two of the shows, too. A great band of kids, teenage triplets, that totally amaze me.

Don Hill, Bebe and Nitebob

Seeing as this interview hits the Internet on Christmas Day, where will you be spending the holidays, and do you have any traditions?

This holiday I will be in NYC with those closest to me. And we'll travel up to Maine for a few days too to see my family. As far as my traditions, I love the holidays but especially Halloween and Christmas. We always have a tree, and love my village scenes I have collected and create. I'm old fashioned, and love to share the holidays with those I love.

Well, I wanna say a massive thanks to you Bebe for taking the time out of your schedule to call me, it's fantastic to know that you're still out there, rockin' and rollin' with your wonderful band, and we hope to see you on tour sometime very soon, in the US and over in Europe too. On that note, what are your plans for 2012?

There is talk of more TV appearances, and hopefully the Jimmy Fallon show. New Years Eve itself, I will be watching Patti Smith. She always plays two nights in NYC. It's a New Years tradition, and I'm looking forward to seeing her. We hope to keep forging ahead with 'Hard Love'. Focusing on touring the US and abroad. I would love to do a few short tours focusing on regional areas, and work my way around the country. Then, jet off to the UK, and do a tour there as well. I adore London and can't wait to play for my UK fans- all over the entire country. I want to hit Paris, Germany, Spain, etc... I just want to spend the rest of my days being a gypsy and rocking with my band- the best band I've ever had. The line-up now is Jimmy Walls (Das Damen) on guitar, Pete Marshall (Iggy Pop) also on guitar, Enzo Penizzotto (Joan Jett) on bass, Zac Lasher on keys, back-up vocals are provided by the wonderful Louisa Bradshaw aka "Mysteria", and Sarah Tomek on drums. Sarah and Zac, are in their late 20's and have added so much energy and zip to the band. We're a mix of all ages and tastes so it is certainly entertaining!

Photo Credits : Alan Mercer

Bebe's website

Bebe on Facebook

Cyndi