Suzi Quatro 'Unzipped'

Some of you might recall that I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Suzi Quatro twice last summer, firstly at a gig she played at a strange festival in Wimbledon and then at a book signing/talk to promote her autobiography on Charing Cross Road. The Wild One was in full rock swagger mode both times and it was a thrill to see her and meet her, even briefly. Leather was, of course, involved both times.

That's where the title of her autobiog comes from, unzipping her leather catsuit to reveal the real Quatro beneath. 'Unzipped' is Suzi's autobiography and I finally got round to reading it yesterday in one (long) sitting. It's a good read, telling the tale of Suzi from Detroit to New York to London to achieve fame and fortune, touring with SLADE and Thin Lizzie in 1972 (the tour I didn't see), having No. 1 hits and touring around the world, joining the Fonze in 'Happy Days', taking to the stage to escape her marriage and even writing a musical (o yes, dear reader) to re-marrying, perpetual touring, becoming a grandmother and making a 'come-back' album, the great 'Back To The Drive'.

The book is an enjoyable read, a good page-turner wanting to see what happens next. Suzi writes in two voices - 'little Susie from Detroit' and 'Suzi Quatro' and, occasionally, the two of them discuss a particular episode. Ever self-effacing and striving for honesty, for every 'good' thing or adventure there's a 'bad' one and she admits her faults and failings, both as a rock star and a mother. It's an enjoyable book and she wrote it herself (no ghost writer).

Suzi will probably never get the full credit she deserves because she made it in the 'glam' era and was part of the Chinichap stable but she changed music for women and provided a different role model. One of the best things she ever did was to team up with Andy Scott, another Chinichap survivor (from Sweet), and deliver the excellent 'Back To The Drive' album. C'mon Suzi, we need more...