" This is Me"
Suzi Quatro March 2006 on her new release "Back To The Drive"

In 1973 Suzi Quatro released her first smash hit, "Can The Can," the first of more than 16 top ten hits and the more than 45 million albums she would sell worldwide. It would be two more years before The Runaways formed in 1975, and a full nine years before the Go-Go's careened to the top of the U.S. charts with Beauty and The Beat. Suzi Quatro was one of the first females out there breaking down doors, fronting her own band while playing her own instrument and setting new standards for the music industry and for the now-legendary bands that would follow in her footsteps.

And it would not just be in the music industry where Suzi made her mark, in 1978 America fell in love with her portrayal of the leather clad rocker, Leather Tuscadero, on Happy Days. In the 80's she starred in her first musical, as Annie Oakley in "Annie Get Your Gun" and followed that up by writing her own musical, Tallulah Who? In the 90's Suzi conquered the airwaves and now she has released her first studio album in 15 years, fittingly tagged, "Back To The Drive." Packed with raw emotion, energy and a diverse mix of driving music fueled by powerful guitar rhythms delivered by Len Tuckey, Suzi has delivered yet another amazing masterpiece. With Mark Chapman, daughter Laura and ex husband Len Tuckey, Steve Grant and Andy Scott, Suzi gives you a first hand look into what drives Suzi Kay Quatro and as typical Suzi she does it her way, on her terms, with her music. We were deeply honored to get a chance to ask Suzi a few questions about " Back To The Drive" and her amazing career.

Suzi Quatro Interview

TCZ: Tell us a little bit about your early music training and the different instruments you play.

Suzi: I come from a musicial family, five children, my father plays various instruments and my mother sings. I actually play classical piano and percussion, I've been trained in both and I am self taught on the bass.

TCZ: You've mentioned numerous times that Elvis Presley was a strong influence on you and has continued to be through out your career. Last year you were able to pay tribute to him with a very special recording of "Singing With the Angels", that you recorded with his original backing vocal group "The Jordanaires". Can you tell us about that experience?

Suzi: Yes, Elvis is my absolute inspiration. I saw him on television when I was 8 years old and wanted to be him from that moment on. He invited me to Graceland in 1974 after hearing my version of "All Shook Up," and I declined. I was not ready, I believe in destiny and I don't think that was my path. Instead my path was to write him my tribute "Singing With The Angels," which became the hit of my Austrailian Tour in Feburary 2005. I than contacted James Burton and The Jordanaires who immediately came on board and last May we recorded "Singing With The Angels" in Nashville. A chilling memory, Fantastic!! It will be released soon.

TCZ: Your new album released in the UK is titled "Back To The Drive." Can you tell us what influenced that title and whether there is a relation to what many consider your signature song, "Devil Gate Drive."

Suzi: I have been collecting this album's worth of songs for 15 years, it just happened this way. My life changed in '91, I went through a divorce, losing my mother and various other members in my close family to death.I started writing differently, totally from the heart. Throwing out image boundaries, rules, trends and everything else. So when I finally came out to record this album I asked Mike Chapman to write me my invitation for my dinner party and he did... "Back To The Drive."

TCZ: If you could pick one song off "Back to The Drive" that represents you and your music most today, which song would that be and why?

Suzi: It would have to be two different songs, " I Don't Go Gentle," which is Suzi the rocker and the one who was influenced by Presley and " Free The Butterfly," which is where I am at spiritually.

TCZ: Tell us about track 5, "I'll Walk Through The Fire With You," off your new album "Back To The Drive."

Suzi: My daughter Laura and I have always had a difficult relationship, loving yes, but difficult. She has a fantastic voice and was doing back up vocals on the album and we had a little argument. So when we got home she went to bed and I said to one of my other song writing partners, Sheila Roden, " God, doesn't she realize I would ,Walk Through The Fire with her." We woke her up, got the pen, paper and guitars, went outside and finished it up! It was only right she sang some lines on the album to.

TCZ: Did you play any other instruments on this release besides the Bass?

Suzi: No, just the bass and I also did backing vocals and obviously my lead vocals. Although I have played drums and piano on other albums.

TCZ: In a recent interview on BBC, while referring to your new album, "Back To The Drive," you said that "This is me, I'm comfortable." Can you expand on that and tell us what is different about this album and how that increased your comfort level with this release?

Suzi: "Back to The Drive" is a very personal thing to me. It represents all of me, not just the leather clad rocker. This is the person I am now. Yes, I have a tough side, but I also have a very soft side. We are both one finally. It took a long time to reunite Suzi Quatro with Suzi Kay Quatro from Detroit.

TCZ: During your long and successful career you have sold over 45 million records world wide. But even more impressive is the 16 top ten hits you have charted. Out of those 16 hits, which one surprised you the most with its success and why?

Suzi: Every hit I had felt like a hit when it was recorded. You get a feeling so none of them surprsied me, delighter me yes, but not surprised.

TCZ: The documentary on your life and career, "Naked Under Leather," produced by Sacred Dogs Entertainment, is due out later this year - correct? Can you tell us a little about it and the footage of your sisters with your first two bands?

Suzi: The film which started out as a rock documentary has turned into something quite different. It is a movie about families, about jealousies, about the price you pay for stardom. Vicky was able to get a lot that I didn't realize she was getting. Apparantly its all in my eyes. I am looking forward to seeing the first cut soon.

TCZ: With the release of this film you've now tackled virtually every medium in the industry. What are your goals for the future? Are there any projects or causes you would like to devote more time to?

Suzi: I would still dearly love to play a leading role in a movie. Its the only thing I have not done, but it will come, I feel it in my bones.

TCZ: Despite the fact the majority of your career has been spent outside the USA, you still have a strong following of American fans who have eagerly awaited a tour in the USA. Today with all the new technology - streaming radio programs, downloads and even podcasting, do you think these new media outlets can be employed to help bring your music back to the USA?

Suzi: I think all of the internet stuff has definitely helped to keep me alive in America. I answer numerous emails from the states for my radio show and everyone wants to know when I am coming back... soon I hope.

TCZ: You have always said the biggest obstacle you faced in the American music industry was promotion, not your gender. But have you ever felt your gender was an obstacle in obtaining the commerical promotion and access to media outlets here in America?

Suzi: I think my being female helped out in most instances. I am different. The only problem in America was Mickie Most who had a fear that I would move back there, so consequently didn't really push me record wise. We toured a lot but didn't have blanket support from the right kind of record company as we did everywhere else in the world.

TCZ: Looking back over your extraordinary career, can you pick one moment that will always stand out for you as an epitome of what you strived to achieve in your career?

Suzi: Having my first number one, selling 75,000 copies in one day in the UK alone. Than doing my first sold out German concert, 5,000 people there to see only me. What a thrill! Still feeling that same thrill today, it never leaves you.

TCZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring female artist today?

Suzi: Any girl who wants to join in this business, this is not a game. This is not cute. This is serious. You must play your instrument properly, as good as any guy, even better. You have to be prepared to put the work in, there are no short cuts and you must be totally devoted. I got in this business for a lifetime, not a day.

TCZ: Is there any message you would like to send to your American fans?

Suzi: To my American fans, get me back there, I need to play my home country again. I miss all of you terribly. Maybe a start would be to start a campaign for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. God knows, I deserve it. I didn't have a female role model, I was the first. I kicked down the doors, this should be acknowledged.

Interview by GWGS © The Cover Zone March 2006