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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZQUATRO, Suzi(b 3 June '50, Detroit MI) Singer, bassist. Father Art semi-pro jazz musician, encouraged daughters to play; duo Pleasure Seekers with elder sister Patti on guitar played Detroit clubs '64; single 'Never Thought You'd Leave Me' issued on local Hideout label. Not short of bookings playing top 40 covers, but turned to progressive rock '68, renamed Cradle, brought in younger sister Nancy on vocals; spotted '71 by Mickie Most who was touring with Jeff Beck, offered Suzi solo deal (Patti turned up later in Fanny). First single flopped: 'Rolling Stone' co-written by Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate; but live work supporting Slade with Len Tuckey, guitar; Keith Hodge, drums; Alastair McKenzie, keyboards tightened up music, image. Quatro donned leather, screamed'n'hollered with neanderthal band giving muscular support; all that was missing was material, soon supplied by bubble-gum kings Chinn and Chapman: seven top 40 hits incl. chart-toppers 'Can The Can' '73, 'Devil Gate Drive' '74, all nonsense lyrics delivered hysterically over relentless thumping. Rise of punk rendered Suzi, Siouxsie, Poly Styrene, even Blondie suddenly less interesting: Quatro shrewdly changed image, appeared on USA children's TV show Happy Days as Leather Tuscadero, played roles in Minder and Dempsey And Makepeace on TV; songs became more reflective: 'Stumblin' In', a singalong strummer with Smokie's Chris Norman, significantly her only USA hit at no. 4 '79; top 40 hits in UK incl. 'If You Can't Give Me Love' '78. Married to Tuckey, with two children; played Annie Oakley in Andrew Lloyd Webber prod. of Annie Get Your Gun. Compilation The Wild One on Razor and Tie. |