It is quite a few years since I last saw the human dynamo that is Suzi Quatro. I first saw her on one of her early visits to Sunderland Locarno in 1972. I then saw her many times at the same venue as she kept returning while she was at the top of the charts with great rocking hit records “Can the Can” and “Devil Gate Drive”. She was a class act then and remains so to this day. I have seen her once or twice over the years since then. I think the last time was supporting Status Quo at an outdoor summer concert near Middlesbrough. This time the lady is 73 years old, still rocking and this is 50 years since she was Number 1 in the charts. Fantastic.
The Glasshouse website proclaimed Suzi thus: “Influential. Unstoppable. Timeless rock legend. A Suzi Quatro concert is a high-octane rock extravaganza; commanding the stage with her signature leather jumpsuit and rockstar attitude. Backed by her band, she rips through beloved retro hits as well as new material with her raspy vocals and searing bass lines. Quatro’s lively performance and rapport with fans create an electrifying experience celebrating one of music’s pioneering female rebels.” Well, I can’t argue with that.
I arrived in little late after a hospital visit to see my mam who is not so well at the moment. This meant I missed some of the first set. Suzi had no support act and performed two sets with a short interval. Sadly, I missed her singing “Stumblin’ In” which is one of my favourite songs. Never mind I saw her close the first set with a lovely quiet song on which she accompanied herself on piano and a great cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World”. During the interval a double Jack Daniels went down just nice and relaxed me ready for the second half of the show.
Suzi returned complete with leather catsuit and performed a rocky set of her own hits and some great covers. She explained that she has recently released an EP on which she has covered some of her favourite songs. Up on the screen behind her was a picture of Suzi in the early 1970s just as I remember. Fantastic. So we got “Can the Can”, “Devil Gate Drive”, “If You Can’t Give Me Love” and returning to covers, a great version of Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” and the final encore was a beautiful rendition of Eagles “Desperado”. Suzi can still rock out with the best of them. Everyone was up on their feet and enjoying one of the best female rock stars I have ever seen.
Many thanks to Joanne for the photos and Chris for navigating the site for me.
Setlist: Set One: The Wild One; I May Be Too Young; Daytona Demon; Tear Me Apart; Shine a Light; Stumblin’ In; No Soul/No Control; The Devil In Me; 48 Crash; Slow Down; Rockin’ in the Free World; Can I Be Your Girl?.
Set Two: Motor City Riders; I Sold My Soul Today; Bad Moon Rising; She’s in Love With You; Overload; Too Big; Glycerine Queen; Can the Can; Devil Gate Drive.
Encore: If You Can’t Give Me Love; Sweet Little Rock & Roller; Desperado.
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Posted by ciarant1step on December 19, 2023 at 4:49 pm
Great memories of Suzi Quatro down the years. Hard to believe she’s 73, but looks like age is no problem for her. Nice photos that give a good sense of the gig too.
Posted by vintagerock on December 19, 2023 at 8:17 pm
Thanks Ciaran. She is still rocking and pure magic. Happy days Peter