Suzi Quatro – The History Of Punk

Without Suzi Quatro there would have been no Joan Jett, no Gaye Advert, no L7 and so on. An influence on a thousand female bass players. The tough ballsy image of a tomboy in a leather catsuit backed up by a band of leather-clad goons coupled with some gloriously raucous tunes with sexual inferences meant she was a hit for a good few years.

Sexy, tough and feminine but always an equal part of the band (in fact the leader), she stood out in an era when women in rock were represented by Olivia Newton John, Lynsey De Paul and the Carpenters. Ironically she stood out in a glam era when men were dressing more feminine! Excellent performer who always seemed to get rave live reviews for the band’s performance and not least for her habit of well… virtually riding the bass!

The guys in my band don’t wear glitter – they’re real men…Black leathers sexy and its got interesting zips….Girls identify with me because I haven’t got big tits. Suzi Quatro…Punk Penthouse fodder, Nick Kent NME, 1975

Ok, contrived songs written by the male ChinniChap stable of band makers (see Mud, Sweet etc) sprinkled with a mixture of covers but hell they were stompingly persuasive teen toons.  I’m surprised the songs got played on the radio as her singing and the playing was so abrasive.  I still play 48 Crash, Devil Gate Drive, Can The Can & Daytona Demon. Excellent stuff. They looked different and sounded different. If she had started in 1977 she would have reigned supreme; instead, she passed her haircut onto Joan Jett who kept it warm for Gaye Advert! 

Suzi Quatro and Runaways Joan Jett & Vicki Blue

Like Joan Jett, she had a genuine feeling for rock’n’roll and we love her for it. She’s still rocking now.

I am flattered to have been the woman to have opened the door for female rockers to be accepted into the mainly male industry. Joan was one of my biggest fans, as was Chrissie Hynde. I always listen to and do my homework on any up-and-coming females. I do take my musicianship seriously! Enough said.  NY Rock.com Interview.

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