Runway RunAway author, Lorelei Shellist will be joined this Saturday, June 20 at Davis Kidd Booksellers in the Mall at Green Hills by DEF LEPPARD's Phil Collen, fresh off a show-stopping CMT Music Awards performance with country sensationTaylor Swift. Initially it may seem odd that Collen would be appearing at a book signing. Odd until you take into consideration that Runway RunAway's author is the renown fashion model and former fiance of Collen's late band mate, Steve Clark.
I had an opportunity to speak with Lorelei about the book and was impressed with her candor. I can only image the difficulty of retelling the events that would lead to Clark's alcohol abuse and eventual death. "There were memories that were oh-so great and then there were the ones that were extremely challenging, not only to remember, but to write and share for all to see," admitted Lorelei. "I knew that if I were to write my story, I had to be completely honest and authentic, otherwise, why bother?"
Based on the book's full title, Runway RunAway: A Backstage Pass to Fashion, Romance & Rock 'n Roll, readers might initially compare it to the countless sleep-and-tell model-meets-rocker bios out there. It's a far cry from the likes of Pamela Des Barres' I'm With The Band, the trashy, bedpost-notch-gathering tale of an 80s super groupie. "I have read Des Barres book, and I was quite entertained by her candidly honest stories of her adventures. Running with rock stars seemed to be a sort of hobby for her, perhaps more of a conquest and more about quantity than quality," revealed Lorelei.
In her book, Shellist provides a rare glimpse beyond the glitz and glamour of fashion and rock and quickly reveals a common thread--whether you're a fashion model living a dream life in London with your rocker boyfriend, or just an average girl from the streets of LA--everyone is searching for the same ultimate goal, to find true and lasting love. Lorelei mirrored that feeling when she said, "I was always looking for the one, and I am a die-hard romantic. I believed in happily ever after, and so, I gave my heart completely."
While reading the book, I wondered if Collen and the other members of DEF LEPPARD accepted Lorelei from the beginning. "The band had their own relationships and issues to deal with. For the most part, they minded their own business," she recalled. "Phil was Steve's best friend and we were always together so when Steve's disease began to spiral out of control, Phil was usually around to witness his erratic behavior, even when I wasn't."
Steve Clark and
Lorelei ShellistOf Collen's continued friendship, Lorelei offered, "Phil has always supported me in my dreams from my writings to my own music. After Steve died I began songwriting as a way to heal myself and Phil bought me a beautiful 12 string Guild to play and record my songs with. It was the most generous gift I have ever received from a friend". She then thoughtfully added, "His participation at my book signing in Nashville will probably top that. He is giving me his full support and his precious time just at the kickoff of yet another tour. I value our friendship probably more than even he knows".
The book tells of Lorelei's beginnings as a young runaway and her determination to make it in the world of high fashion. Determination that lead her from LA to New York and eventually to Paris and London, where she meet and fell in love with Clark. Along the way, she worked with a veritable who's who in the world of fashion, from Karl Lagerfeld, Yves St. Laurent and Christian Lacroix to Bob Mackie, Geoffrey Beene and Giorgio Armani. All the while, Steve and his band mates were creating what would arguably become the definitive 80s rock band. Shellist's insight is without question, honest and revealing. "I was with Steve through the writing and touring of Hysteria. The record took four years to make and 2 years to tour and the last year of Steve's life was spent in and out of treatment centers following the tour," disclosed Lorelei. "In that time-frame the focus was always on the success of the Hysteria record sales, filling the seats in the arenas and surviving a fast paced lifestyle," she continued.
In addition to more than 100 never before seen personal photos, handwritten journal entries there are recollections of conversations with the likes of Don Henley, Darryl Hall and John Oates, Mutt Lang and, in one of the lighter moments of the book, a chance encounter with Cher, while in designer Bob Mackie's Hollywood boutique. Lorelei was shopping for something to wear to the MTV Awards, when she heard Cher in the next fitting room. Cher offered her assistance, and this bit of advice, "'You want to look sexy, but don't overdo it. You don't want to show too much cleavage, that's what everyone in Hollywood does', Cher warned." This, from the woman who wore a belly revealing beaded Mackie gown with feather headdress to the Oscars.
Its recollections like that mixed with painful memories of their volatile relationship that keep the reader engaged. Lorelei's book is the sometimes painful, but always realistic look at a seemingly perfect life and how one woman chose to rise above the bad to continue on and learn from the past. "I hope my readers are touched and moved to look into themselves. I have learned that we are here to parent ourselves. Our parents did the best they could. Now it is up to us to pick up where they left off, at whatever age stage that was and do our best to nurture and heal ourselves. No blame, no shame," implored the author.
In the years since the death of her beloved Steve, Lorelei is now a family counselor and life coach based in California. She ventured into her current field in the 90s, while living in Nashville. Of her time in Music City, Lorelei fondly revealed, " I loved it and I was blessed through many deep friendships. The people I am friends with here are diverse and multi-talented. However I am a mermaid, an ocean girl - I need to be by the water."
Lorelei Shellist today
When asked about her switch from model to counselor, Lorelei recalled, "I began my career in counseling and life coaching while volunteering at the Oasis Center with the At-Risk Teens," she said proudly. "I developed a workshop called Dreams With Wings. Using my own life experience as a runaway teen who followed and achieved her dreams as an inspiration to them. I was very clear about what I wanted and I believe that is the key to success."
She credits her success to the following, "Clarity and action steps. I realized my process as I was writing my book simultaneously," she confessed. "Once I discovered that my life was my purpose, I knew I had to share my skills and tools with others. I have since received my Master's in Spiritual Psychology, taking my counseling and coaching career to a much deeper level."
In addition to an extensive promotional tour that will take her to Ohio, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Florida, Lorelei sees working with Siren Star, the small indie publisher of her book as another great opportunity, "I will continue to promote Runway RunAway through independent bookstores around the country. Siren Star is a grass roots publishing company and we are creating new ways to market the book. I think it is an opportune time to do things differently. I see the major "corporate" bookstores are thinning out. The ones who ate up the little guys. Well, the little guys are back! With the help of my readers around the country we are putting together a great team," she said proudly. "If anyone has connections with indie book stores, head shops, coffee houses or boutiques that would like to host me...I'm there," she added, only half-joking.
A final note on what she hopes the reader will take from her book reiterates a simple, yet important life lesson, "Never judge a book by its cover. That goes for people too. Take the time to look inside, the book, yourself/and or others." When the book tour ends, Lorelei will return to her home on the coast, where, as she boldly said, "My intention is to continue to inspire and motivate others through speaking, counseling, coaching and loving." This simply stated, but highly focused and sincere mission is exactly why readers of her book will discover that Lorelei Shellist is a Runway Runaway success!
Model-turned-counselor-turned-author, Lorelei Shellist and DEF LEPPARD's Phil Collen will be at Davis Kidd Booksellers in The Mall at Green Hills tomorrow, Saturday, June 20 beginning at 2:00pm
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