Suzi Quatro has a special spot in her heart for Newcastle. Just like her hometown of Detroit, Newcastle’s history is steeped in industry, which she says breeds a certain struggle within the people who live there.
“There’s a certain energy in Detroit. You can’t explain it, but it exists in all industrial cities” she tells me over the phone.
Our interview was the last of a long list Suzi had been making her way through, and when the call finally comes it’s late at night in her part of the world, and I can tell she’s keen to get to bed. Howeve,r that doesn’t dampen her charm, friendliness or wit and she quickly puts this nervous interviewer at ease.
To celebrate 50 years of performing, Suzi Quatro is heading to Australia for one final tour. Her 29th is “down under”.
“I have been touring in Australia regularly since 1974, and have actually lost count of how many times I have been there, but I think this tour will be number 29. It is my second home and I love it dearly. This year I celebrated my 50th year in the business and it just felt like the right time to take my final bow. It’s a daunting prospect and one I am preparing seriously for”.
I want to know what she thinks about the evolution of women in rock and roll. Does she think the “rock and roll boys club” has changed over the years?
“It has and it hasn’t,” she says.
“What I did I’m still doing, but I don’t see people taking up the banner. Don’t get me wrong there are some great artists coming through and I hear great stuff on the radio, but there are not many Suzi’s coming through. And it’s not easy, you’ve got to have the strength of a thousand elephants. I mean the bass weighs more than I do. I’m a woman, a mother, a wife and a rocker. It’s kind of like a juggling act. Men don’t have to juggle. You guys have convinced people that you can only do one thing at a time”.
During our chat about the evolution of rock n’ roll, Suzi also mentioned the onset of reality TV shows.
“Reality TV has changed things. I mean I loved it when I did Australian Idol a few years back, but I’m not sure how good those shows have been for the industry”
“I also think a lot of girls have left themselves with nowhere to go. When you’re standing up there practically naked, what do you do next? I’ve performed in my leather jumpsuit for years, but I’m covered,” she quips.
I then turn the conversation to bass guitars and what equipment she’ll be bringing on tour
“I’ll be bringing my Fender P and a 5-string. I’m playing through my Orange equipment and I’m also playing drums and piano in the show”
And it’s all fingerwork? I ask.
“All fingers,” she tells me.
“I don’t know why, but I like the sound of skin on the strings. I think people who pick the bass are frustrated guitar players. Even when I play guitar I play with fingers. I guess with my background in percussion, I’m just not used to a pick”
Does she think being a bass player has influenced the melodies she writes?
“No. I think the songwriting is based more on my piano knowledge. When I want to write a straightforward rock song I will go to the guitar and do the song on that. It’s natural. If I want too write a more complicated song I play piano. But I’ve written songs on a number of different instruments including the drums.”
I then ask Suzi if she minds answering some questions submitted by our community (you guys) and of course, in true style and charm, she obliges.
What’s 48 Crash about?
“It’s about male menopause. You understand?”
What does she think about the notion of rock music being dead?
“Rock and roll is not dead. There’s some good bands coming along. It’s changed, but the music is still there. Rock and roll will never die”
Does she still wear her leather jumpsuit?
“I do and I’m bringing it on the tour. I know it will still be quite hot, but I did the Red Hot Summer tour in my jumpsuit. I get through anything”
Having had such a successful career and fulfilling life, what pearl of wisdom would she tell her younger self?
“I would say – believe in your dream, and it will come true”
Suzi Quatro in Newcastle
Suzi Quatro plays The Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, February 18.
