Bebe Buell: My heart, soul- MY GUTS!
Punk Globe: Your album "Sugar" has
been described as an autobiography album, was it hard to release an album
that is so personal?
Bebe Buell: Nope- I had a lot of
stuff to get off my chest. It is filled with love and truth. Letting
things go in a song lyric can be very freeing and healing. |
Punk Globe: The song "Black Angel"
is a tribute song for your late friend, Joey Ramone. Can you tell us how
this song relates to your friendship with Joey?
Bebe Buell: It refers to a picture
frame he gave me one time as a gift- sort of as a "gag" gift but it ended
up being one of my favorite things. The frame has an angel on it- the
angel is black. I keep a photo of he and I in my black angel frame. The
lyric starts "Walking down the street that bares your name, my house is
next to your grave, your photos in my black angel frame.", etc... People
have started to sing along with me when I do it live and it can be very
powerful. I get a little chocked up at times.
Punk Globe: On "Sugar" you cover
Johnny Thunders song "Untouchable", what made you decide to cover this
song on the album? |
Bebe Buell: "Untouchable" is a song
that Johnny himself used to tell me I should cover. He would say in his
unique voice- "Bebe, this song would be perfect for you- you can change
the gender." I did it live for years but decided to finally record it in
his honor. |
Punk Globe: What level on
involvement did Dean Johnson have in the song "Air Kisses For the Masses"?
|
Bebe Buell: Dean wrote the lyrics-
he was a lyrical genius of sorts. His band The Velvet Mafia recorded that
song several years ago. It is a song that needed to be brought back
because it is so topical lyrically. We have a new animated video coming in
early Nov. made by the Nerdy Duo of AIR KISSES FOR THE MASSES. People
really respond to our version of it. It is yet another tribute to someone
I lost and miss. Dean's passing was a shock and unexpected. |
Bebe Buell: Playing it live with The
Velvet Mafia for Dean's memorial. That sealed it for me- I knew I wanted
to sing those lyrics! With the permission and blessing of the Velvet
Mafia, I made it mine.
Punk Globe: What was it like working
with David Minehan?
Bebe Buell: I adore Sir Minehan and
have known him since the early 80's- he and his wife Judy are dear
friends. They have two gorgeous, talented daughters too- look out world!!
Working with David is a dream come true. |
Punk Globe: What kind of response is
the album "Sugar" receiving? |
Bebe Buell: So far so good- it is
only just out- ask me in six months from now. But if the live shows are
any indication, then I would say the response is DELICIOUS!! |
Punk Globe: You arrived on the scene
in the 70's as a model, singer, songwriter, performer and pop culture
heroine. Tell us what was it like back then compared to now in the music
industry? |
Bebe Buell: It would take ages to
answer this in a "looking back" format so I'll just sum it up by saying
that it is technology that has changed the world- not just the music
business. I am thrilled to have been a part of the music of the 70's and
to have been a kid in the 60's- seeing The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show
was life changing for me- for a lot of us who were little during a
cultural revolution. I watched mothers burn their bras on TV- men burn
their draft cards... It was incredible to have seen all that music and
art- it made me who I am NOW. I live in the now. |
Punk Globe: You have befriended
many well known people over the years, the likes of Jack Nicholson, Warren
Beatty, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Jimmy Page and Joey Ramone. Have these
people inspired you in your life and in this album?
Bebe Buell: I am inspired by what I
have learned from every single person I am close to. |
Punk Globe: Has your beautiful and
talented daughter Liv Tyler who you had with Steven Tyler, also been an
inspiration on this album? |
Bebe Buell: Liv is part of my soul
so I would say yes. |
Punk Globe: You have raised a very
confident daughter, as a mother how difficult is it to raise a child
strong enough to follow their dreams and to prepare them for the
rejections and heartaches along the way? What is your secret? |
Bebe Buell: I just try to keep our
feet on the ground and never take anything for granted. The secret to any
happiness is love and family so I value that. I tried to instill that love
in Liv. She is a really good person- that elated me! |
Punk Globe: Your book Rebel Heart:
An American Rock and Roll Journey, an autobiography written with Victor
Bockris which was released in 2002 enjoyed immense success and was a New
York Times best seller, now the album "Sugar" is an autobiography album,
would people have a better understanding of the album "Sugar" by reading
your book?
Bebe Buell: No. The book was a very
different process. These lyrics on SUGAR came from some of the places that
I felt there were holes in the book. SUGAR fills in the cracks.
Punk Globe: Where can Punk Globe
Readers buy your album "Sugar"? And what websites can fans access?
|
Bebe Buell: The site is www.bebebuell.org and you can download
SUGAR at either iTunes or Amazon MP3. There are direct links at www.bebebuell.org The My Space music
page is http://www.myspace.com/bebe buellband To hear the four tracks I recorded ten years ago with producer Don Fleming, go to www.instant mayhem.com/virtual.htm |
Bebe Buell: This is what keeps me
doing this- what drives me... the live shows are the best part for me. I
love being onstage for many different reasons. The connection is worth it.
Music is a connector- I like making people happy. I like to ROCK the pain
away, HA!
Punk Globe: Do you have any plans,
for tours outside of America?
Bebe Buell: Absolutely- we are in
the process of doing all the planning now- this is going to be a very
elaborate project. |
Punk Globe: Your mother was
responsible for sending pictures of you to a modeling agency which started
your modeling career in 1972 when you were only 17. These days there is
much controversy about parents putting pressure on their children to be
famous. Did you experience any of that kind of pressure from your mother
or was this what you wanted at the time? |
Bebe Buell: She certainly wasn't a
stage mother. She was a former model herself so knew what to do. I am
eternally grateful to her for getting me to NYC- exactly where I wanted to
be. |
Punk Globe: You managed and helped
Liv to launch her career, in your opinion, is there cause for alarm about
parents putting too much pressure on their children to be famous if their
teenage child wants it too? How and where do you draw the line as a
parent?
Bebe Buell: Every case is different-
no two stories are the same. Liv had a very interesting story to go with
her talent. She also had my years of experience to keep her from making
any foolish youthful mistakes. Liv worked hard and listened. What got her
where she is though is her talent- I only opened the doors. I only laid
down some good foundations for her.
Punk Globe: If you had the
opportunity of using a time machine and going back to a place in your life
what is the one thing you would change? |
Bebe Buell: That I don't have more
children. My dogs are my kids now. |
Bebe Buell: Never give up on a dream
or a gut feeling. There are no rules- only your desires. LIVE THEM! Be
kind to animals- they are our spirit guides and companions.
Punk Globe: Thank you so much Bebe
for your time and Punk Globe wishes you all the best with your new album
SUGAR! |