Synopsis of Pop Music

"Our love is alive,
And so it begins..."

To many, Suzi Quatro is the original female rocker. This bass-playing glam superstar became an international sensation thanks to a string of dynamic, catchy hard-rock singles in the mid-70’s. This music made her an early inspiration to future female rockers like Joan Jett, while Quatro's appearances on the television show Happy Days made her a cult figure in the U.S.

Suzi was no overnight sensation—she had been working as a professional musician since her early teens. She went to England in the early 70’s to pursue a recording career and teamed up with songwriters Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, who had penned pop metal hits for Sweet. To complement the hard-rocking music that would follow, Quatro donned a leather jumpsuit to create a tough visual image. In 1973, the leather-clad rock chick hit paydirt with “Can The Can,” a hard-rocking ditty about fighting for your man that went to #1 in England, Japan, Australia and most of Europe.

Suzi followed this success with a string of international hits like “48 Crash,” “Devil Gate Drive,” and “The Wild One.” All these songs balanced a raucous guitar attack and Suzi’s gutsy, rugged vocals with strong pop hooks and tight songwriting. Meanwhile, she began to build a fanbase in the U.S. by touring with rockers like Alice Cooper. Ironically, she achieved her biggest American fame in 1977 with an acting role on Happy Days. She became a household name to kids everywhere after playing Leather Tuscadero, the tough-talking, leather-wearing musician that won Fonzie’s heart.

In 1978, Suzi Quatro cemented her new American success with a hit single, “Stumblin’ In.” This soft rock duet with Chris Norman became a #1 hit and pointed towards a change in style for Suzi. On future albums like If You Knew Suzi, she balanced her traditional hard rock stylings with tough-yet-tender ballads like “The Race Is On” that fit her gritty style. She continued to record in this style into the early 80’s.

Suzi Quatro took a break from music in the mid-80’s to concentrate on her acting career, finding major success playing the lead in a hit London revival of the musical Annie Get Your Gun. Quatro returned to touring and recording in the early 90’s and is still very popular in Europe and Japan. She remains an example to girl rockers everywhere for pioneering the idea that a girl could rock just as hard as the boys.

Artist Release History

1973 - Suzi Quatro
1974 - Quatro
1975 - Your Mama Won't Like Me
1977 - Aggro Phobia
1978 - If You Knew Suzi
1979 - Suzi & Other 4 Letter Words
1980 - Rock Hard
1983 - Man Attraction
1991 - Live & Kickin'

Pop Sub Categories

rock
pop

Essential Music Albums

The Wild One: Classic Quatro (Razor & Tie)

Band Members

Suzi Quatro vocals, bass

Other Pop Music Links