Background:

Bebe Buell is an American singer and model. She was the Playboy Playmate of the Month for November 1974 issue. Buell has recorded with bands The B-Sides and the Gargoyles and as solo artist. Among her solo efforts are “Cover Girls” (1981), “Free To Rock” (2000), “Air Kisses For The Masses” (2009) and “Hard Love” (2011). Buell served as lead vocalist on the Bebe Buell Band, whose members also included husband Jim Wallerstein on guitar.

Buell, however, is perhaps best known for her relationship with a number of rock musicians, an interest she began to develop when as a teen model. She dated Barry Cowsill of The Cowsills and David Cassidy, and later, from 1972 to 1978, she lived with rock star Todd Rundgren. During and after her open relationship with Rundgren, Buell also became close with many other famous musicians, including Iggy Pop, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, David Bowie and Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. Her brief fling with Tyler resulted in the birth of her only daughter, actress/model Liv Tyler, in 1977.  In 1978, Buell embarked on a stormy affair with the married Elvis Costello. She also dated Stiv Bators, Rod Stewart and John Taylor. In 1992, Buell eventually married musician Coyote Shivers of Sharkskin and The Conspiracy), but the marriage ended in divorce in 1999 following a year long split. She married for the second time in 2002, to musician Jim Wallerstein. They remain together until now.

Buell's autobiography, “ Rebel Heart: An American Rock and Roll Journey,” which she wrote with  help from Victor Bockris, was published in 2001. It was a New York Times best seller. The paperback was issued in 2002. She is now working on a second book.


The Beeb

Childhood and Family:

Bebe Buell was born Beverle Lorence Buell on July 14, 1953, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Her mother, Dorothea Johnson, founded the Protocol School of Washington, and Harold Lloyd Buell.    

On July 1, 1977, Bebe gave birth to her daughter, Liv Tyler (born Liv Rundgren), fathered by  lead singer of Aerosmith, Steve Tyler. Due to Tyler's highly addiction to drugs, Bebe let her daughter to believe that then companion Todd Rundgren was Liv's father until later in her life.

In June 1992, Bebe, whose nickname is The Beeb, married Canadian musician and actor Coyote Shivers (born September 24, 1965), but they later divorced in 1999. In 2001, she was engaged to musician Jim Wallerstein of Das Damen and Vacationland fame. The couple married on August 25, 2002.   

On December 14, 2004, Bebe became a grandmother when daughter Liv welcomed a son, Milo William Langdon, with husband British musician Royston Langdon of the band Spacehog.


Hard Love

Career:

Bebe Buell started her modeling career when she was 17 years old. Her mother sent her photos to the Ford Modeling Agency, and got notice that the agency was interested within three days. She then left Portsmouth, Virginia for New York City to model professionally.

Buell attracted the attention of public when she was chosen to become Playboy Playmate of the Month for November 1974, making her one of the first top line fashion models to pose for the racy magazine. Her contract with Ford was not renewed after her appearance in “Playboy.”  

In 1981, Buell released a four song EP called “Cover Girls” through Rhino Records.  Produced by Rick Derringer and Ric Ocasek, with The Cars serving as her band on two tracks, the record was not a commercial success. In 1984, her then boyfriend John Taylor (of Duran Duran fame) gathered some famous friends to start the rock band  Power Station in order to provide backing for Buell's musical efforts. Buell also was in a band called The B-Sides from 1980 until the band disbanded in 1985. The B-Sides released a three song EP in 1984 called “Picture Disc,” produced by Todd Rundgren.

Buell formed another band, The Gargoyles, in 1985. The band had a cassette EP
called “ Bebe Buell and the Gargoyles” in 1988 as well as two 45 releases named “Jacuzzi Jungle”/”Thirteen Wrong Turns” (1987) and “Gargoyle”/”Bored Baby” (1993). A few big record companies were displaying interest, but Buell decided to retire from performing for several years when the paternity of her daughter Liv became publicly known in 1991. In the 1990s, she managed her daughter's career for a short time. She also represented actress  Charis Michelsen.

After her daughter left home in 1997, Buell resumed her music career and recorded a solo effort with producer Don Fleming. The resultant, “Free To Rock,” was launched in 2000. She also performed around New York with the Bebe Buell Band, with David Matos on guitar and vocals, Tommy USA on bass guitar, and Gregg Carey on drums. She also formed a new band for a few shows, with Boston musicians The Rudds and The Neighborhoods' drummer Johnny Lynch.  

In May 2009, Buell released a solo single called “ Air Kisses for the Masses,” produced by produced by Twinomatick. She performed a series of live shows in the New York City area to promote the single.  

As of June 2009, the lineup for The Bebe Buell Band was Bebe Buell on vocals, husband Jim Wallerstein on guitar, Pete Marshall on bass, David Matos on lead guitar, Aya on keyboards, Lindsey Anderson on guitar and Bobbie Rae on drums.

In September 2011, Buell released “Hard Love,” an 11 track album produced by husband James Wallerstein and Stephen DeAcutis. The aggressive rock album contained original songs alongside covers of Gang of Four's “I Love A Man In Uniform” and “Baby Baby” by the English punk rock band The Vibrators.


Awards:

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