Runway RunAway

A Backstage Pass to Fashion, Romance & Rock 'n' Roll

By: Lorelei Shellist

Narrated by: Lorelei Shellist

Length: 12 hrs

Publisher's summary

From the streets of Los Angeles, as a teenage runaway waitressing at The House of Pies, to the catwalks of Paris, working as a model/muse to Chanel, YSL, and Christian LaCroix, Lorelei Shellist has led a life full of gritty and glamorous extremes. This is her story, a memoir that, on the surface, may seem all glitz and glam, but whose beauty runs deep - an every woman's quest for strength, hope, happiness, understanding and inner-peace.

Rebellious, headstrong, independent and on her own at 15, Lorelei dreamed of being a model. She made that happen through determination and serendipity; a chance meeting with a '70s Southern California rock star opened the A-list Hollywood doors to a wondrous world, as well as a full-blown romance. Pounding the pavement in L.A. and New York taught her the hard knocks of being a working-class model. Fortitude and sheer will jetted her off to Europe, and there she met the doomed love her life, fiancé Steve Clark of Def Leppard. Theirs was a relationship mired in dizzying highs and bottomless lows, as she watched Steve drink and drug himself to death, and caught herself in the wake of his spiraling cycle of addiction and depression, unable to help.

Ultimately fleeing and finding the strength to save herself, Lorelei now shares the candid and blatant truth of how she survived the greatest loss in her life, as well as the aftermath and her determination to not only survive, but to heal herself and help to heal others.

©2008 Lorelei Shellist (P)2009 Lorelei Shellist

I enjoyed this book so much it was very touching

Where does Runway RunAway rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was great quality and I liked that the author read the book.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Runway RunAway?

I truly enjoyed this book and learning how she got into the modeling industry. It was nice to read that she was so independent at such an early age and made something of herself in the modeling industry. Good for her! :) It was specially touching to know what she went through with Steve Clark. I have been a huge Def Leppard fan since I was 12 years old and it was nice to know that Steve had something that loved him and stood by his side all the way. I wish the could have had an opportunity to live happily ever after. They both deserved it. Great book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Her love story with Steve Clark.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It was very touching. But there were some funny moments as well.

Required reading for rock 'n' roll fans!

Rarely have I enjoyed an autobiography as much as I did this one. What a life Lorelei Shellist has led. I got this as an Audible listen, and honestly half of the entertainment was listening to her incredible, velvety, mesmerizing voice. She did an outstanding job with the narration. From her beginnings growing up in California, breaking into modeling, dating rock stars such as Don Henley, to family drama and heartbreak, her years in Paris and overseas in Asia -- wow. What a tale. If you love rock 'n' roll history, definitely check this out!

loving Steamy Steve Clark

My name is mary noel or as Steve called me
Mary Christmas
I'll never tell

Thank you for a wonderful tale

What made the experience of listening to Runway RunAway the most enjoyable?

What I found most enjoyable was hearing about Lorelei's climb to success and, of course, her relationship with one of my guitar heroes, Steve Clark.

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character has to be Steve but the insight Lorelei gives into their lives is what truly makes the latter part of the book the most compelling and enjoyable.

What aspect of Lorelei Shellist’s performance would you have changed?

The fact that it was her telling her own story made it seem that much more real. My first complaint (and it could be hardware related on my part) was the skips and breaks that popped in occasionally. My second was the mix of the between chapter music. It overwhelmed the chapter titles often making them hard to understand.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was nearly in tears by the end of the book. I've loved Steve Clark's and Def Leppard's music since I was in jr. high back in the 80's. To hear how he spiraled so out of control was heart-wrenching. Even worse was hearing how much damage he did to those that loved him, especially "Martha". It's a shame, a real shame, he never saw how much he had and how much he deserved it.

Any additional comments?

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lorelei, for sharing such a wonderful tale. Not only were the stories with Steve compelling, but your life before Steve had me almost equally enthralled. I loved the book and feel forever grateful for you sharing it with me.