I've got the above left photo taped to my fridge as a constant
reminder to myself: THIS IS WHAT YOUR HAIR COULD BE LIKE. You know,
like, if I applied myself or whatever. (And I hardly ever apply myself
when it comes to hair - it's just so much work!) But even if the
inspiration/aspiration thing hasn't worked out, at least it's nice to
stare at Bebe Buell every time I go to get some more lemon water or a
nectarine. A little while back I read her memoir
Rebel Heart and - despite those many moments that make you go, "Arghh, Bebe,
what were you thinking?!!",
especially when it comes to her depressingly epic romance with Elvis
Costello - it's generally so fun and superjuicy and a dream come true
for my 70s-rock-star-obsessed, boring-hair-having self. The best is she
gives away lots of good secrets about Mick and Bowie and Jimmy Page and
Iggy and Stiv Bators and Todd Rundgren and Elvis and Keith Richards and
so many other boys (and girls too, having been close pals with the likes
of Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde). Here's a few of my favorites:
On David Bowie:
"After hanging out for a couple of weeks, David and I decided that we
might have sex, but then we both burst out laughing and ended up doing
our makeup. He taught me a lot about makeup and fashion. He was the
first man who ever painted my toenails for me. I don't think I was
really his cup of tea sexually."
On Jimmy Page:
"Jimmy was big on astrology and he wanted to do my chart. I gave him the
information, and he stopped calling me abruptly. I think he discovered I
had a Mars-Venus link with Mick or something like that."
On Mick Jagger:
"He took me to the best Japanese restaurant in New York, a
hole-in-the-wall called Mei, which was fashionable among the punk rock
set on the Lower East Side. He gave me a large bottle of Shalimar
perfume. (I still have the bottle, although, being a Chanel girl, I
could never actually wear that floozy juice.)"
"Mick's a genius with skin. He always knew what creams to use, and he
often shared his beauty products with me. He'd say, 'Let me look at
that, Bebe,' and then he'd produce a jar and start massaging the
contents into my skin. He told me how to steam my face, what herbs to
use. No woman on earth knows more about cosmetics than Mick does."
On Chrissie Hynde:
"When Elvis was out of town touring, Chrissie Hynde and I would hang out
together and do girlfriend things - like shopping at Harrods. Chrissie
likes perfume, makeup, and nail polish as much as I do. She stood out
because she looked like a biker chick, but she was soft and feminine,
too, and a great girlfriend."
On Steven Tyler:
"He was grateful to be alive, to be up there, to have this opportunity. I
thought that was absolutely touching. I'm getting really bored with
this 'just rolled out of bed' look. I like my pop stars to dress well
and have some serious attitude. I don't like all this 'Here's my flannel
shirt.' What's wrong with a little eyeliner? I think glamour is part of
what makes rock 'n' roll exciting fun, and if you don't have that, then
go back to your day job. I am absolutely bored stiff by bands that look
like Guided By Voices. They're about as sexy as an old brown shoe."
Bebe & Stiv:
