CAREER

60 Years of Suzi Quatro

In the 1970s, it was uncommon for a woman to play electric guitar in a popular music context (Sport, 2007). Suzi Quatro stood out in this regard, becoming one of the few women at the time to break into the male-dominated world of rock as both a frontwoman and an instrumentalist.

While she was leading the charge, other women making their mark in the music scene included Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, Joni Mitchell, Joan Jett, Patti Smith, Grace Slick, Donna Summer, Carole King, and Tina Turner, among others.

Can the Can

Her first single with producer Mickie Most, “Rolling Stone” reached number one on the charts in Portugal.

She was then introduced to her Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, her production and songwriting team, to cater to her image.

Quatro became internationally known when releasing “Can the Can” in 1973. The hit presented her as a tough rocker woman and with intention, challenged the social conventions of femininity. The song went number one in May 1973, and went on to sell two and a half million copies worldwide. Her most mainstream success was within Europe.

Making History

Chart Toppers

Her string of hit singles includes “48 Crash,” “Daytona Demon,” “Devil Gate Drive,” and “Your Momma Won’t Like Me.”

From 1973 to 1980, Suzi Quatro dominated the British charts for an impressive 101 weeks, selling over 55 million records to date.

Rock Legacy

She scored a million-seller in the U.S. with “Stumblin’ In,” a duet with Chris Norman, solidifying her legacy in rock history.

Into the 80s

Building on the momentum of her self-titled debut album Suzi Quatro (1973) and its follow-up Quatro (1974), she toured extensively in England and Japan, gaining international recognition. In 1974, she made her way to the U.S., bringer her iconic performances to a new audience (Oglesbee, 1999).

Rock Hard

In 1980, she released Rock Hard which went platinum in Australia. “Rock Hard”, the single, reached number 11 in Australia.

Rocking Without A Label

Chapman’s Dreamland Records shut down in 1981, Quatro was left without a record deal. Despite this, she kept on recording music and performing live.

While her visibility on the charts declined, she was more interested in performing and releasing what she wanted to release. She stayed active throughout the 80s, putting out several artists including members of the Kinks.

Evolving

She performed often during the 90s which was followed by her comeback with Back to the Drive (2006) that showcased her rock roots reaching international chart success. In 2011, she came out with In the Spotlight, which included original material and standout covers like Goldfrapp’s "Strict Machine."

Milestones

2014 marked her 50th year in the music industry with the release of the retrospective Girl from Detroit and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Detroit Music Awards in 2013. She remained active into the 2020s, continuing to perform and record.

She has now spent six decades in the music industry, marked by countless achievements and enduring influence on rock history.

Over the course of her career, Quatro maintained a strong sense of artistic independence and achieved global sales of more than 50 million records.

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