AMPED™ FEATURED ALBUM OF THE WEEK: SUZI QUATRO/THE DEVIL IN ME

Here in the United States, Detroit, Michigan-born Suzi Quatro is best remembered for her stint as Leather Tuscadero on the television sitcom Happy Days and the 1978 hit single “Stumblin’ In” (a duet with Chris Norman, lead vocalist for British band Smokie). However, Quatro is much more than just a blip on the pop culture roadmap – she is one of the most influential female artists in Rock ‘n’ Roll history. From her days as a member of one of the first all-girl Garage Rock bands – The Pleasure Seekers – in 1964 to her series of successful UK hit singles during the Glam era of the early-to-mid-1970s, Quatro’s influence is immeasurable. Joan Jett, The Runaways, Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads), Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders), and Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go’s) all cite her as a huge influence. Through talent and perseverance, Suzi Quatro not only carved out a nice career for herself, she also opened the gates for thousands – if not millions – of female musicians to walk through. And it all started 56 years ago…

Suzi Quatro’s career began in Detroit, Michigan in 1964 when she joined her sister Patti’s Garage Rock band The Pleasure Seekers. Suzi moved to England in 1971 and began working with producer Mickie Most, who helped her craft a series of Glam Rock hit singles that shook the UK charts: “Can the Can”, “48 Crash”, “Devil Gate Drive”, “The Wild One”, and “If You Can’t Give Me Love”.  While her singles and albums didn’t gain a lot of attention in the U.S., her appearances as bass-playing rocker Leather Tuscadero on Happy Days raised her profile in the States and the single “Stumblin’ In” and albums such asIF YOU KNEW SUZI (1978) and SUZI… AND OTHER FOUR LETTER WORDS (1979) were hits. New Wave and Punk came along and, buy the early 1980s, dominated the charts. Although her original audience remained loyal to her, it took quite a while for Quatro (and her contemporaries) to regain commercial momentum. These days, her influence is readily acknowledged by many artists that arrived in her wake and the words ‘legend’ and ‘icon’ are often used to describe her musical career. And thank goodness, she’s still out there rocking…

Suzi Quatro’s 2021 release THE DEVIL IN ME is her first studio album in two years and reveals an artist that is well-aware of what her audience wants and needs – and she delivers on all fronts. This is not a watered-down version of Suzi Quatro – this is an album by a veteran artist who still has a lot of Rock ‘n’ Roll vim and vigor running through her veins. With a batch of Blues-based rockers, hard rock riffs, catchy hooks, and a few ballads tossed into the mix for good measure. THE DEVIL IN ME is classic Quatro but still sounds fresh and exciting. Many artists who have been in the business for over five decades operate on cruise control, but Quatro sounds like she’s had a tune-up and is revving her engines and ready to race again. Tracks like “Hey Queenie”, “Get Outta Jail”, “I Sold My Soul Today”, “Motor City Riders”, and the title track are some of the rockin’ highlights. Even when slows down the pace on “My Heart and Soul”, “Love’s Gone Bad”, and “In The Dark”, or adds a funky groove to “Do Ya Dance”, she still retains that Quatro magic. Don’t call this a comeback album, call it a ‘Come to your senses, I’ve been here all along’ album.   

SUZI QUATRO

THE DEVIL IN ME

Available NOW!