Suzi Quatro: I'm tough because I walked through the fire and survived

Suzi Quatro
Suzi Quatro (Image credit: Richard Ecclestone/Redferns - Getty)

Suzi Quatro says Liam Firmager’s documentary about her life and career is “everything I wanted it to be.”

Suzi Q received its North American premiere last night, with the event taking place online due to the ongoing lockdown. And speaking with Cleveland.com, Quatro has revealed what it’s been like looking back over her career, picked out highlights from the film and also revealed her future plans.

Quatro says: “It's great. The movie is everything I wanted it to be. There's maybe nothing I didn't know, but it cemented some things. The movie is exposing. I saw that I'm very, very determined.

“Everybody's always told me that and I never quite noticed it, but boy, am I determined! And I'm tough because I walked through the fire and I survived. But I'm very soft, too. I'm not afraid to hurt. 

“So, I'm a real dichotomy of things. I hope people will think they know me. I'd like to be understood.”

Suzi Q also features interviews with a range artists including Joan Jett, Cherie Currie and Debbie Harry, who talk about the pioneering Detroit-born vocalist, bassist and songwriter, who became the first female rocker to break into the mainstream in the 70s.

Asked how their contributions to the film made her feel, Quatro says: “It’s humbling. When people say nice things it makes you cry because you go, “Oh my god, they think that?' I didn’t know how much I meant to everybody. 

“That surprised me. I knew I was the first one and a lot of women came after and they’ve thanked me for it, but I didn’t know how these girls held me in their hearts. I somehow, without meaning to, gave them permission to be who they are.”

Quatro says she’s been working on various projects during the lockdown, revealing she’s demoed 14 new songs and has an illustrated book of lyrics at the publishers.

She adds: “And because Suzi Q is getting such rave reviews, I’m going to do a biopic about my life. 

“We’re just finishing up the script. I’ve got people in mind to play the lead. I don’t want to say anything yet, but the money’s in place and the movie will be made, and it’s on my bucket list. 

"So, I’m busy. I’m not gonna sit around picking my nose. That’s not who I am.”

Suzi Q will be officially released on Video On Demand and DVD tomorrow (July 3).

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.