First Woman to front and play bass guitar in a Rock n’ Roll Band
January 2015, at home in Essex
b.1950, Detroit
Musician / singer Suzi Quatro was the first female bass player to become a major rock star and front a rock band, breaking down notable barriers to women’s participation in rock music. She began her career aged 14, in a band with her sisters, going on to have her first European number one and releasing her first album in 1973 at the age of 23. A self-taught bassist, Suzi has since sold over 55 million records worldwide. She has lived in England for 50 years. At the age of 68, she is now an actress, author and presenter but still writes, performs and tours.