This just out from Bebe (August 2001) from St. Martin's Press:
Warm, wise, outrageously funny--and simply outrageous--Rebel Heart is Bebe Buell's no-holds-barred account of her life at the center of the rock scene in the '70s and 80's, when rock stars were royalty.
A supermodel before the term was coined, Bebe worked with the best of them (Scavullo, Avedon), met everyone (from Warhol to Dali), and captivated a generation of rock's greatest talents. Her relationships ranged from wunderkind Todd Rundgren to Aerosmith's Steven Tyler (father of her daughter Liv), from Mick Jagger to wordsmith Elvis Costello. Not to mention the fun she had with everyone from Rod Stewart to Ron Wood, Jimmy Page to Jack Nicholson.
In Rebel Heart, Bebe drops readers back into the heyday of the scene and reveals the true details of a vanished world that continues to fascinate today. Her spirit informed some of the greatest songs of her time and the life she lived was, above all, fun. Illustrated throughout with over a hundred photographs--many of them rare snaps from Bebe's personal collection--REBEL HEART will deepen even the most ardent fan's understanding of rock 'n' roll.
Bebe Buell performs with her band across the country; she lives in New York City and in Maine. This is her first book.
Victor Bockris is the author of Uptight: The Story of the Velvet Underground and What's Welsh for Zen: The Autobiography of John Cale. He lives in New York City.
11/05/02
Bebe Buell can call herself whatever she likes a muse, a rock "n" roll legend, a punker, a singer but, mainly from reading her book "Rebel Heart" one thing stands out she is a delusional groupie. For her to actually think she was the inspiration for so many songs was laughable. If I didn't despise her and her arrogance so much I would feel sorry for her. The only truly great thing she ever did was give birth to the beautiful and truly talented Live Tyler. I recommend the book if you want a good laugh. At least Pamela Des Barres knew what she was and she was a class act compared to Bebe.
01/01/03
It is the New Year and I could not help but notice this stupid mention of "Rebel Heart". It looks like the same propaganda I see in other places, written by the same person. Get a
life! I just read the Todd autobiography by Billy James-it came out on Dec. 23rd, 2002- and Bebe is very favorably mentioned in there. If this other "opinion" of her and her book were so accurate, then why did TR spend close to six years with her? I also think that Mr. Rundgren is very favorably viewed by Ms. Buell in her bio. The photos are great, too. I just think that this other comment is more an attack on her personally than a review or comment about a book. In my copy of her book, there are quotes from Cameron Crowe, Stephen Davis, Newsweek, The NYTimes, to mention a few. Both Crowe and Davis call her a "muse". I also don't agree that she has no class. She does and she has been a very good mother to her daughter. Liv Tyler didn't just turn out that way by accident. I believe Liv not some bitter idiot's post from 11/05/02.
Seems agenda ridden since her book has been out for ages now. I think both Todd and Bebe have way too much class to be so petty and immature, really. Also, there is no comparison between Bebe and Pamela Des Barres. Thats sillier than the rest of your mean comments. And an inspiration for songs? She was! I don't think that Todd wrote "Can We Still Be Friends" about the kitchen sink. Your review is an exaggeration at
best and a jealous bashing at worst. Grow up!
01/26/03
You know what? I like this book by Todd's ex and mother of Liv Tyler. I like it alot and I wish people would just read it before they say BS or blab their stupid opinions. Bebe Buell blabs? Hey, it is her life story. Not everyone gets the chance to be asked to write about their life. There are lots of girls who have hung out with rockstars and famous
people that don't get asked to write books. What sets Bebe apart? Lots of things.
She was never one of "those" kind of girls. She had a career and a life outside of
her boyfriend's images. Todd was in HER Playboy spread in 1974. I STILL have the
issue. Trendsetter? You bet ya! He had to have really loved her to care for her during her pregnancy with Liv. Also, Todd is on tour right now with Liv's fiance Royston Langdon as his opening act on some dates. This is a clue that there is a good connection with this family. I also read Todd's Billy James biography and there isn't a mean thing in there about Bebe. She even gets credited with helping to bring Todd out of his reclusive shell and introducing him to some cool bands that he went on to
produce. Billy James personally thanks Bebe in his acknowledgements. I get tired of all the catty remarks about this woman. She is a beautiful lady and very interesting.
Her book was so fun to read for me. You felt like you were right there. The very
first person she thanks is Todd. The very first! I liked her observations about Todd. He is human and so is she. Not perfect or God, but HUMAN. The photos are priceless. There is this great one of her and Todd on a tractor. Bebe Buell never once calls HERSELF a "muse" or "legend". Others do, though. I think I'll take the word of Cameron Crowe
and Stephen "Hammer of the God's" Davis over some jealous maniac. I will say too that Bebe Buell is a very good singer. I was surprised when I saw her perform. She was a powerful presence and a memorable voice. I recommend this book and the Billy James book on Todd. They are both very good and the photos are great. Peace out and cheers!
