|
Questions With Suzi Quatro
|
Suzi Q still rocks. She's been a poster girl for all things rock & roll for
almost four decades. Since 1973, she’s thrashed
out million-selling hits like “Can the Can,” “48
Crash,” and “Devil Gate Drive.” Her ’70s glamrock
albums If You Knew Suzi and Suzi … And
Other Four Letter Words are classics in the genre.
Blasting through the ’80s, Quatro continued churning
out rock gems like Rock Hard, Main Attraction, and Oh, Suzi Q. She’s
a lifer, working with Midas-touch producer Mike Chapman for her whole
career, and selling an astounding 50 million albums and singles.
Moonlighting from her life as a legendary bass goddess, Quatro acted the
role of Leather Tuscadero in the TV series Happy Days, played the lead role
in the London production of Annie Get Your Gun, and has hosted several
BBC radio shows. Quatro’s detours into country gospel on new EP, Singing
With Angels, a tribute to Elvis Presley. You can visit Suzi Q at suziquatro.com.
What is your idea of a perfect gig?
Headlining a big summertime festival on my birthday, June 3rd, going on no
later than 10 PM, just as the stage lights can really be seen. Nice big dressing room
with a bucket of champagne. In my fantasy gig, the other acts are Tom Petty & the
Heartbreakers and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Which of your instruments would you refuse to sell, and why?
There are two. The Fender Precision that my dad gave me—sunburst, with a
stripe up the back and a gold scratch plate—is the absolute business. And my BC
Rich Bich—custom made, neck up the fretboard. It’s on the cover of Rock Hard.
If you could transform yourself into any other musician for just a day, who would it be?
James Jamerson, the bass player on all the great ’60s Motown tracks.
What is your third all-time favorite album, and why?
Jackson Browne’s Running on Empty absolutely captures the feel of the road.
If I have to name No. 1 and 2, I would say Tapestry by Carol King for the sheer
magic of the songs, and Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde. Don’t get me started
on him!
If you never had picked up a bass in your life, what would your day job be?
I’ve never been anything other than an entertainer. Maybe I’d have to go heavily
into acting. I’ve also always had a huge interest in being a criminal lawyer, or
a psychiatrist.
When was the music business nasty to you?
It was never nasty. I always had the right attitude: work, don’t do it
for the money, stay true to yourself, and wait for your chance—then
be smart enough to open the door.
Who are your heroes?
Many … many. Elvis, Otis Redding, Billie Holiday. And, believe
it or not, the one person I wish I had met is Jesus. Just to touch his
robe—my God, what a feeling.
What was your most recent big mistake?
Making a family member too important by
explaining things in detail when I was in the right.
When you’re right, you’re right, end of story. Either
they get it, or they don’t.
What is your goal for the coming year?
Same as Mike Chapman’s—to get this fabulous
new album into the charts and tour everywhere I
haven’t been for a while, including the States.
|