Monday 30 January 2012

Sister's Act by James Nuttall ©

The Pleasure Seekers sign their first record deal
When asked who the first woman of rock was most people will reply with Janis Joplin. Few will realize that long before Piece of My Heart hit the airwaves, there was a band of sisters on the road playing rock and roll to every venue in the US they could find.

In 1964, teenage sisters Patti and Suzi Quatro formed The Pleasure Seekers with their friends Diane Baker, Nan and her sister Mary Lou Ball. Within a year they had recorded a single, What a Way to Die, and toured all over the United States. Patti and Suzi's big sister, Arlene, was later conscripted into the group with her husband managing them. The Pleasure Seekers  shared the bill the likes of Bob Seger, MC5, Iggy Pop, Grand Funk Railroad, Pink Floyd and Chuck Berry, and played songs from groups like The Four Tops, Elvis Presley and the early Rolling Stones.
Patti and Nancy visit Suzi in England in 1971


However, by 1968 the music scene had given way to thumping guitar licks and psychedelic rock. After a poorly received gig at a big festival, the Pleasure Seekers decided it was time for a change in musical direction. 

In 1969, after a few line-up changes, Pleasure Seekers became Cradle: a heavy, jamming rock band. Youngest Quatro sister, Nancy, was brought in to sing for the band. This band was again well received on the new music scene. The long solos and meaningful compositions went down a storm with their intoxicated, tie dye t-shirt audience. 
Now the Quatro sisters are receiving the much-deserved respect from their native Detroit they have been waiting for. On 27 April they will be inducted into Detroit's version of the Grammys at the Filmore Theater. 
Additionally to this, Suzi will be inducted for her solo work.  The sisters will also be performing three songs, and Suzi will   perform songs from her solo career. 

Nancy, Suzi and Patti, who I interviewed a few months back, have given me the exclusive interview below about the reunion. 


Nancy and Suzi at soundcheck

What was the highlight for you, either during the Pleasure Seekers or Cradle? A specific gig/song?


Nancy: A big highlight for me in Cradle was when Mountain recognized that we were talented musicians, not talented for girls......just talented. It was very hard to get respect as females in a male world and they were a huge band at the time so in a sense, I finally felt validated by our peers. 

How does it feel to be getting such a prestigious award nearly 50 years after you girls began the Pleasure Seekers?


Patti: It feels amazing and heart warming. When you pioneer for women being able to rock their music in a world that put up every roadblock, it is great to see things changing in that regard and know that we inspired young women. And having this award in Detroit Rock City.....doesn't get much higher in music than that kick ass music Mecca.....we are thrilled!!! 
Patti Quatro: lead guitar

Nancy: It feels incredible and it is such an hounor. I'm especially glad that they are honouring Suzi as she is such a success story out of Detroit.

This is the first time you will be performing together in public in over 20 years. How does that feel?


Patti: Actually the sisters have gotten together for special projects, but yes, first time for the bands. It's going to be one hell of a party night on stage and after too. We all get along brilliantly, and can't wait to hit the stage.
Nancy: (It's) Amazing to be performing again. There is a sister bond that is there no matter what and it's like going back to our roots and a time when life was much simpler. 


What material can we expect to hear you play? Have you decided which songs yet?


Patti: Patience!!!!! We are not revealing that till the night of.
Cradle's New Year Eve gig CD from 1970
Nancy: We have decided on the song selection. Suzi will perform 3 and PS/Cradle will also do 3. 

Will there be a lot of rehearsing before hand?


Patti: Everyone will learn their parts from the CD's, a no brainer. Everyone still plays, so it should go smoothly and we will rehearse as a band in Detroit couple days before.  

Nancy: We will not have a lot of rehearsal time........gulp but I'm sure it's like riding a bike. You don't forget. 

In 2014 it will be 50 years since you started your first band. Can we expect to see another reunion, or maybe even a tour to celebrate this?


Patti: We've had numerous offers for gigs from Europe, to Russia to Far East and Oz. People would love to see it happen.....never say never!!!!  
Nancy: One never knows if there will be another reunion. No plans as of yet but, never say never. 
You spoke of special guest performers for the reunion... can you disclose who they are?
Patti:  In a word.....no.....lol....many are being considered. 

Is there any chance at all of a new Cradle/PS album in the future?

Nancy: Probably not much chance of another Cradle/PS album in the future.
Patti: We'll see. I'll be looking at all other taped material I have in archives.



Live 1979
In 1971 bass player Suzi was signed to a record deal with RAK by legendary producer Mickie Most. She moved to England and after two years of waiting for success, her second single, Can the Can, went to number one in the UK, Australia, Japan and all over mainland Europe. To date it has sold 2.5 million copies. Her biggest hit in her native US was the 1978 duet, Stumblin' In, with Chris Norman, the lead singer from Smokie. Suzi's entire recording career has scored 16 hit singles and she has sold over 50 million records worldwide. She was a direct influence on Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, Joan Jett, Pat Benatar and Melissa Etheridge, among others.  And if that doesn't make her cool enough, in 1974 she turned down an invitation to Graceland to meet Elvis, her hero, when he commented that her cover of All Shook Up was the best since his own. That's not to mention that she also famously broke Alice Coopers nose. (Albeit accidentally!)


As well as her recurring role in Happy Days, Quatro has also had parts in Minder, Absolutely Fabulous, Midsomer Murders, starred on the West-End stage and even had her own chat show. 

 Last year saw her release her thirteenth studio album, In the Spotlight, which was largely positively received. 

 I got also got the chance to ask Suzi her thoughts on how it felt to be inducted as a solo performer. 
How does it feel to be recognized in your homeland for your solo work as well as your earlier bands?
GREAT... ALWAYS GOOD TO HONOR YOUR ROOTS.. DETROIT IS A HARD ACT MUSIC WISE TO FOLLOW...WONDERFUL TO NOD TO THE PAST AND TO THE PRESENT... COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

The last time you toured the US was in 1981. Do you think that this will be the instigator to get you back playing in America? 
Quatro headlining the 'girls night out' at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2010
I GODDAMN HOPE SO.. BEEN AWAY FAR TOO LONG.. NOT BY ANY GRAND PLAN.. JUST HAPPENED..U.S.A. RECORD BROKE UP.. THEN STARTED HAVING KIDS AND DOING T.V. ACTING AND THEATER.....BY THE TIME I WAS TOURING AGAIN I WAS GOING EVERYWHERE BUT AMERICA.. BUT, DO WANT TO COME BACK BIG TIME... I MISS MY HOME COUNTRY.


Friend Debbie Harry of Blondie and protege Joan Jett stop by at Suzi Quatro's recording session 
You've released a new CD, In the Spotlight, which has been well received by the critics. Will you be doing any other events to promote this in the States while you're there?
I AM PUTTING FEELERS OUT.. I AM THERE BEFORE THE CEREMONY DOING SOME DOCUMENTARIES FOR MY BBC RADIO 2 WORK, 16 YEARS NOW.. HOPEFULLY THE RECORD COMPANY WILL ARRANGE SOME PROMOTION.. RE CRITICS.. NEVER HAD SUCH WONDERFUL REVIEWS.. NOT GOOD BUT RAVES.. HOW NICE IS THAT !!!


Do you plan to take your family in England with you?
I DON'T KNOW YET.. TRYING TO PLAN IT NOW.. CERTAINLY SOME KEY PEOPLE WILL BE THERE.


Quatro, 1978
Quatro in 1975, on tour with Alice Cooper

Playing the iconic Leather Tuscadero in Happy Days
Will you be giving the Detroit audience anything out of the ordinary for your solo performance?
 I WILL BE DOING ONE OF MY NUMBER ONE'S, OF COURSE STUMBLIN IN, WOULD GET LYNCHED IF I DIDNT AND A SONG FROM MY LAST STUDIO ALBUM... SHOULD SATISFY EVERYONE.



Will you be using your British band?
NO, I AM GOING TO USE GOOD OLD HOME BOYS FROM DETROIT.


For many years you have said that you longed to play the States again, Detroit in particular, how does it feel now that you are?
I CAN'T WAIT, REALLY HAPPY.. I AM A DETROIT GIRL THROUGH AND THROUGH.


Suzi's latest album, In the Spotlight
Have you any solo/Pleasure Seekers/Cradle material you'd particularly like to perform?
LOTS OF SOLO STUFF.. I USUALLY DO A TWO HOUR SHOW WHEN I AM ON MY OWN.. COVERING MY ENTIRE LIVE AND RECORDING SOLO CAREER FROM 1973 UP TO THE PRESENT DAY... A WIDE CATALOGUE TO CHOOSE FROM... RE PLEASURE SEEKERS.. THAT IS A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.. WILL BE LOTS OF FUN.



Suzi and I in 2011



My thanks to Suzi, Nancy and Patti for answering these questions, and the very best of luck to them for the reunion.









Suzi's new album, In the Spotlight,  can be purchased at: 


 The Pleasure Seekers and Cradle albums can be purchased at:

Follow Quatro sisters at: 
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pleasureseekers

Suzi can be followed at: 




























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Thursday 12 January 2012

2011: As told by an observer. By James Nuttall


Flicking back through the pages of 2011’s NME issues, you’d swear that boy bands were going to reclaim music. This aside, its apparent that women have given the guys a run for their money in music this year, and as ever the oldies are still occupying the front covers.

The Vaccines, or as they are better known “the band of 2011”, failed to take off with the momentum many critics prophesised. Opening for the Arctic Monkeys managed to impress NME but did little for others. In fact as the year draws to a close Howler, the Vaccines opening act, appears to be getting more attention with their upcoming debut.

The Arctics themselves have entered into a ‘win some, lose some’ with their fans. The new album, Suck it and See, certainly took on a different flavour to their previous releases, and the title suggests that Turner and his pals are testing the water with a more mature sound. Despite the overflow of positive reviews some fans are less than thrilled with this compared to their previous work, whilst others have just started to turn on to the Arctics thanks to their different sound.

To talk about 2011 even generally, it would be ludicrous to not mention Adele. An album that hits the number one spot in 25 different countries, that isn’t hip-hop, shows that there is hope for music today. It’s also great to see another Brit in the big leagues who is there solely by being able to write and sing. Wearing long black dresses, Adele shows her audience nothing more than pure talent as weaves the story of how she set fire to the rain.

Florence and the Machine have delivered another critically acclaimed epic. Hitting number one in seven countries Ceremonials has set Florence Welch to be the arena filler in 2012.

Another breakthrough for womankind was Beyonce being the first ever female to headline Glastonbury. Since there’s no festival next year, we can only hope that another woman will hold one of the top spots in 2013… who else is taking bets on Adele or Florence?

Thankfully, it has been a year primarily ruled by the British music scene. Unsurprisingly, Rihanna has released more of the same: another album of droning pop and collaborating with Calvin Harris on a decidedly average single. The only thing she’s done in 2011 worth mentioning was to be told to “cover up” by an Irish farmer when she was filming another soft-porn music video in his field.

It’s also seen a lot of the classic rockers making a return to the radio.

Stevie Nicks released her first solo album in 10 years, In Your Dreams, and also played her third UK show in 30 years as a solo performer, supporting Rod Stewart at Hard Rock Calling. Actually coming over the water made the album peak at number 14 in the UK charts. A big step forward considering 2001’s Trouble in Shangri-La stalled at number 43. It’s a nod back to her two nights at Wembley in 1989, which helped propel The Other Side of the Mirror to number three.

Her ex-boyfriend and Fleetwood Mac sparring partner, Lindsey Buckingham’s Seeds we Sow may not have hit the top 20, but has received positive critical reviews. His musical creativity and unflappable guitar parts made many critics bow to his skill. It’s also pushed back a Mac reunion for another year. This was another landmark as Buckingham was booked to do his first ever UK solo tour. However, the articles calling him youthful and energetic were soon writing retractions when this tour was cancelled due to a band member throwing their back out.

This suggests it’s time we started getting more excited about the up-comers again, rather than waiting for the dinosaurs of rock to deliver time after time. That’s said without even mentioning Metallica’s disastrous collaboration with Lou Reed.


The biggest news on the British music scene this year is arguably the Stone Roses reunion. Many sceptics are already trashing it as the Roses just trying to make some cash and foreseeing a disappointment. Others are on the edge of their seats for the return of the revolutionary Manchester band. Time will tell.
                                                        
If the Stone Roses aren’t your thing, you can absorb the storm another Mancunian has been making this year. Noel Gallaghers Flying Birds album has convinced pretty much everyone that here is a bona fide solo performer. More so than Beady Eyes debut, which the critics seem to have turned on since Liam’s big brother stepped in; I can’t see them having Christmas dinner together this year.  

Of course, one cannot forget to mention the musical talents that passed this year. Gerry Rafferty, the composer of smash-hit Baker Street, finally lost his battle with alcoholism in January. A bad year for bassists as the Shadows lost Jet Harris and former Weezer bass player Mickey Welsh died from a suspected overdose.

The most publicised and surprising, yet tragically expected death was of course Amy Winehouse. Within hours the jokes were being sent via text to everyone: most of them pulling puns about her hit Rehab. Three days after a guest appearance at a show in Camden, she was found dead in her home. Winehouse is another great to join the 27
club, along with the likes of Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison.

 She went out with a bang at least. December saw her album Loneliness: Hidden Treasures entering the British charts at number one. That’s a not-back to her predecessor, Janis Joplin. Her album Pearl went to number one stateside after her death in 1970.

All in all 2011 has been a rollercoaster of a year for music. Deaths, reunions and breakthrough solo albums from the greats have made it one interesting ride. Somewhere on the space-time continuum we will surely encounter another year of turbulent relationships and exciting releases from other artists. Hopefully it will be in the not too distant future.



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