‘Really dumb’: US rock legend Suzi Quatro speaks out on Hall of Fame snub

The first female rock star to rocket to the top of the charts — the leather-clad Suzi Quatro — has spoken after she was snubbed again by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Suzi Quatro’s 50-year love affair with rock fans has also made her countless friends, many of them Australians. Picture: Bob Barker

Suzi Quatro is over it. The 73-year-old rock pioneer was snubbed again by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last week when they announced the artists nominated for induction in 2024.

Quatro was the first female rock star to rocket to the top of the charts, the leather-clad singer worshipped by women and men, who inspired Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry.

And they all agree this legend deserves her due after 50 years of making music and owning stages.

Every year for at least the last decade, her fans and champions have rallied for her inclusion in the Hall of Fame which continues to overlook worthy female candidates.

This year’s nominees list includes Cher, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Sade and Sinead O’Connor alongside Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Ozzy Osbourne, Lenny Kravitz and Oasis.

As she prepares to return to Australia, a country that has rocked out with her since Can The Can went No.1 in 1973, Quatro says the ongoing snub is “really dumb”.

Godmother of rock Suzi Quatro. Picture: Supplied

“It is actually funny to me now,” she said, laughing, nursing a glass of white wine in a music room at her English manor house after a long day at work.

“And I think I’m in more salubrious company not being in it. I say it’s really dumb, it just doesn’t make sense, you know? I mean, I was the first one, so duh. Either they do it or they don’t. I just don’t care.”

Quatro has enjoyed enduring success on the charts and at the box office in the UK and Australia compared to the American rock market.

Yet she enjoyed a top 5 hit in the US with Stumblin’ In in 1978 and sparked American household fame via her scene-stealing recurring role as Leather Tuscadero in Happy Days.

Leather Tuscadero (Suzi Quatro) and the Fonz (Henry Winkler) in Happy Days. Picture: Supplied

Her 50-year love affair with rock fans has also made her countless friends, many of them Australians.

On her to-do list during her imminent Australian visit to headline the Red Hot Summer tour is to cross paths with her Happy Days co-star Henry Winkler at the tail end of his comedic speaking shows here.

The Fonz reunited with another member of the Happy Days family, director Ron Howard who is working on his new film Eden in Australia, at his Sydney Town Hall show on February 6.

“I invited Ron to a show and we miss each other by two days. If Henry can come, he will. We are (all) good friends,” she said.

There will be lots of hang-out time with her namesake friend Suze DeMarchi as her band Baby Animals is on the Red Hot Summer line-up.

Suzi Quatro and Suze DeMarchi from The Baby Animals. Picture: Instagram

“I know everyone on the tour and we’ve worked together a lot, except Cheap Trick, can’t wait to meet them and watch them,” she said,

“Dave (Gleeson from Screaming Jets) comes up and does Stumblin’ In with me. I’ve known The Angels since the early ’70s, and Suze DeMarchi is a friend of mine, she’s stayed at the house.”

Quatro respects the rock order of things. Her tour mates, which also include Jon Stevens and Chocolate Starfish, may be popping up for a guest spot here and there but the Devil Gate Drive queen won’t be appearing on stage before her headlining set.

“I don’t mind doing (guest spots), but the headliner is the headliner and I have a responsibility (to the fans),” she said.

“I’ve got to save every ounce of energy. I don’t go out in the daytime on gig day. I save everything. When you get me on stage, you get my all.”

A young Suzi Quatro. Picture: Supplied

After 60 years of playing live – she officially joined her sisters’ band the Pleasure Sisters in 1964 but played in her father’s band as a child – Quatro has a regimented pre-show ritual.

He operatic-style vocal warm-up begins at 3.30pm and takes 30 minutes. She packs her clothes and make-up and heads to the venue for the 4.30pm soundcheck.

On arrival, the disciplined entertainer goes directly to her dressing room and lays out her clothes in order of wearing from underwear to jacket and repeats the routine with her make-up.

Two Fisherman’s Friend lozenges are placed on her dressing tale and a white towel hung on the back of the chair “because I get soaking wet”.

After soundcheck, she has a light dinner with her band and crew and then goes through the setlist to plan out the show.

She also takes a sneaky pre-show peak from behind the curtain to soak up the “vibe” of the milling, buzzing audience.

“And then the lights go down, the cheer goes up, the intro tape starts, and (I have) the same thought every time. I hope they like me tonight.”

For all Red Hot Summer tour dates and tickets https://www.redhotsummertour.com.au/