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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