Bebe Buell is one of the coolest rocker chicks of all time, been in playboy, the inspiration for Cameron Crowe's Penny Lane from the movie Almost Famous, has a movie star daughter, Liv Tyler, and is now releasing her 1st album in 10 years which even includes a cover of a Johnny Thunders track. We got to catch up with Bebe Buell and got to talk with her about everything from her new album to John Lennon.

JD: First album in 10 years how does it feel?

BB: Natural and wonderful. I had a lot of stuff to get off my chest and this was a perfect release. Plus it was time to get my butt back in the studio. It is such a big part of who I am, that the happiness it brings me is the reward. It keeps me sane and feeling complete.

JD: Tell me about your band this time around?

BB: For the recording of the album it is only Jimmy Walls and Bobbie Rae playing everything- they wrote all the music. They are also my producers (Twinomatick).Guest lead guitar on AIR KISSES FOR THE MASSES features David Minehan from Boston's The Neighborhoods. He is another brilliant entertainer. I have three guitar players in the live show- besides Jimmy Walls there is David Matos on lead who I have played with for over 12 years and Lindsey Anderson aka Kitty Kowalski on as I call it "cool guitar. My bass player is Pete Marshall who has played with Iggy Pop and Glen Danzig (Samhain). My drummer is Bobbie Rae who is also my producer with Jimmy Walls, my husband of ten years. Bobbie has been in some legendary line ups such as Utah Saints and Spear Of Destiny. I LOVE my band- it has an amazing chemistry when we play together. It just gels.

JD: What was the inspiration for this album and its songs?

BB: A variety of emotions- my friends who have passed away like Joey Ramone and Dean Johnson, my dog, the environment. It is also a way for me to have a say in some of the myths and folklore running around about me. My response. A way for me to have my peace. The album is filled with love- there is no bitterness in letting stuff out. Letting things go that have clung to your pain. Music is a healing force. For me anyway. It is also honest. It is hard to twist the truth in a song because it just comes out RAW!

BB: The brilliant Nerdy Duo did the animation. Jimmy and Bobbie were the conceptual creators along with the Nerdy Duo. Go view it on You Tube- there is also a complete credit list there so you can see who did what.I'm just the voice and the spirit of the "Beberella" character.

JD: You just played a couple of shows during CMJ including Bob Gruen's birthday party .. I heard it was a great show.. Do you really enjoy playing live and are there more shows coming?

BB: Playing live is the best part. The next NYC area show is at Hiro Ballroom on Jan. 13, 2010. I would just recommend for whoever wants to rock to come down and see for yourself. It is something that you have to experience- you will see how much it means to me. I LIVE for it- I LIVE for the LIVE!  Bob Gruen's birthday was an absolute highlight in my career onstage. My first performance was Halloween 1980! My second one was The Ritz NYC to a full house opening for Rick Derringer. Baptism by fire!

JD: What else do you have going on?

BB: I'm doing a line of t-shirts with Worn Free which will be debuting that night- Jan. 13th. at the Hiro show.
Also coordinating a tour of Europe and the US. I am always rooting for the animals too- I'm a HUGE animal lover and supporter.

JD: I am sure you get asked this all the time but whats it like being the basis for one of the coolest and most infamous rock chicks of all time Penny Lane?

BB: It is an honor to have been a portion of Cameron's fictional character. It isn't just me- it is also a real girl he knew named Pennie Trumble from the NW. I did spend some time touring with Cameron when he was doing a story on Todd Rundgren for Rolling Stone in 1973. We were the babies- the youngest in the clan.

JD: You've seen plenty of Rock shows .. Which is the best concert performance all time you've witnessed?

BB: I could never pick just one- there have been several. Bowie at Radio City Music Hall 1973, The Raspberries at Carnegie Hall same era, Iggy Pop upstairs at Max's Kansas City, The Flaming Groovies at The Whiskey in LA, Echo and The Bunnymen at The Whiskey, Elvis Costello at Hollywood High in the summer of 1978- I could go on and on...

JD: How is the family? You seem to be putting together quite a talented lineage.

BB: My daughter is glorious and wonderful. My grandson will be five in Dec. 2009 and my canine kids are what keeps me happy. I adore my family. Extended or otherwise.

 
JD: Any idea what the newest member of your family will turn out to be?

BB: He's a bit too young to know for sure but he is certainly bright enough to be in science or the arts.

JD:  Who are some of the biggest musical influences in your music? I know I saw a Johnny Thunders cover in the new album.

BB: It was Johnny's idea for me to do "Untouchable"- he said it for years. Then he passed away. I thought it was time for me to honor his request. I've done the song live for years- now its recorded. I covered another JT tune on my album "Retrosexual" from 1994- "Little Bit 'O Whore". You can still get that on Amazon MP3 too. That album was on a French label called SkyDog.

JD:  What's next for Bebe Buell? Another spread in Playboy? Touring, videos, acting, another album?

BB: I'm not sure there will be anymore Playboy spreads but there will be lots of new music and performing live. I have some other directions I'm exploring too- I have to keep some things a secret. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

JD: Can you tell me a really great rock story ?

BB: Some of the most cherished and wonderful rock moments have not been published. I think my favorite one involves the birthday hang with Mick Jagger and John Lennon with May Pang. Getting to sit and talk to Lennon for so long about UFOs and God was something I will never forget. I just wish I had kissed him when he tried to sneak a peck, HA!

JD: Whats on rotation on Bebe Buell's Ipod?

BB: The Living Things, Lady GaGa, my album SUGAR, Dave Matthews new one, Rolling Stones~ Let It Bleed, Tom Petty, Patti Smith, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, Chester French (they have a song called "Bebe Buell"), The Dead Weather, The White Stripes, U2, Kings Of Leon, The Kills, The Killers and The Boss.

See more at www.bebebuell.org