This Is Your Life: Suzi Quatro

Suzi QUATRO (1950-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - Suzi Quatro, singer-songwriter, musician and actress, was surprised by Michael Aspel - with the help of singer Alvin Stardust - at the finale of her show, 70s Glitz Blitz Hits, at the London Palladium.

Suzi, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, toured the US in rock bands with her sisters from the age of 14 before being spotted by British record producer Mickie Most, who offered her a solo record deal. After accepting the deal, she moved to the UK, where she scored a string of hit singles, including two number ones, Can the Can in 1973 and Devil Gate Drive the following year.

In a parallel career as an actress, Suzi had a recurring role in the American television sitcom Happy Days and appeared on British television in the ITV comedy drama Minder and the BBC sitcom Ab Fab, as well as starring in the lead role of the musical Annie Get Your Gun in a West End production in 1986.

"Wow - I'm gonna cry!"

programme details...

Edition No: 1024
Subject No: 999
Broadcast date: Mon 22 Feb 1999
Broadcast time: 7.00-7.30pm
Recorded: Sun 14 Feb 1999
Venue: unknown
Series: 39
Edition: 25
Code name: Four

on the guest list...

The Rubettes
members of her band
Alvin Stardust
Rainer Haas - husband
Laura - daughter
Richard - son
Noddy Holder
Nancy - sister
Patti - sister
Arlene - sister
Linda Berg
David Jensen
Nicky Chinn
Andy Scott
Mick Tucker
Les Grey
Roy Wood
Berwick Kaler
Shirlie Roden
Reg Presley
Chrissie Hynde
Nan Ball
Diana Baker
Art - father
Mickie Most
Michael Brandon

production team...

Researchers: Jo Grant, Emma Dooley
Writer: Joe Steeples
Directors: John Gorman, Paul Kirrage
Associate Producer: Helen Gordon-Smith
Executive Producer: John Longley
Series Producer: Jack Crawshaw
Producer: Sue Green

names above in bold indicate subjects of This Is Your Life

related pages...

Top of the Pops

charting the pop stars

Mickie Most

Alvin Stardust

Screenshots of Suzi Quatro This Is Your Life

Suzi Quatro recalls her experience of This Is Your Life in her autobiography, Unzipped...

One way or another, mine had always been a family act. In 1997 I got the chance to do the first of two duets with my daughter Laura. We were asked to contribute to the charity fund-raiser Children in Need on television, and performed my song 'And So to Bed'.

Fast forward to 1999, one of my busiest years to date and one with a big surprise in it for me. We did fifty-six dates at home, breaking off in the middle for four weeks in Australia, then coming back and doing the second half. The promoter had been after me for years to agree to this British package show tour. I finally said yes because I had spent so many years playing only Europe and Australia that I wanted the UK to see that I was indeed still rockin' and rollin'. I said I would do it just once, and have stuck to that decision. I have never really liked package shows, even when, as in this case, I was headlining. I prefer to do my own thing.

And the surprise? I was the subject of a This Is Your Life programme. We were playing the Palladium that night. And before you ask the question, I had no idea whatsoever. If you find out and the TV people get wind of it, your show is cancelled as the surprise element is everything. Anyway, because it was London the tour promoters had asked me to do an encore that night with Alvin Stardust and the Rubettes. I didn't really want to, but agreed, and we worked out an arrangement for 'Sweet Little Rock 'n Roller'. Rainer had been told by my former agent Derek Franks that this show would be taking place, but didn't believe him. How could they possibly do this when I had a gig at the Palladium? Then at halftime, just before my set which would close the programme, Rainer noticed TV cameras being set up and realised it was indeed happening. He went straight to the bar to order two large gin and tonics. It's only when I look back that I realise how nervous he was when he came into my dressing room just before the show. The tour promoter came in too and said, 'Suzi, the news people are here and will film a small segment at the end for tomorrow's broadcast. So after the encore, when you're taking your bows, please aim it stage right, into the box seat section, and then they'll get a good shot of you.' Sounded fine to me.

The show went well, and the boys joined me for the finale. When it ended Alan Williams (the Rubettes' lead singer) and Alvin grabbed my hands and held me tight, which annoyed me. I was trying to take my bow - what were they doing? Suddenly the entire audience rose to their feet. I broke away and went to the front of the stage, ego in full flight, bowing like a ballerina and thinking how wonderful I'd been that night. I had no idea that the real reason for the standing ovation was that presenter Michael Aspel had appeared from behind with the famous red book. When I eventually saw him I went weak at the knees and shouted into the microphone, 'What the fuck are you doing here?' Charming.

As they whisked me off to the studio I was in a daze. Rainer asked, 'Do you know what an honour this is?' Oh, yes, I did. I also wondered who would appear that evening to pay tribute. At 12:30a.m. the show began to tape. The on-stage seats were taken up with friends and various band members, and then the guest roll call began. There was Rainer, with Laura and Richard, my three sisters, my dad, my childhood friend Linda Theuerkorn, Berwick Kaler, Michael Brandon, Nicky Chinn (Chinn/Chapman), Mickie Most, Noddy Holder (Slade), Reg Presley (Troggs), Andy Scott and Mick Tucker (Sweet), Les Grey (Mud), Roy Wood (Wizzard), Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) and finally Nan Ball and Diana Baker from the original Pleasure Seekers. It was a wonderful moment in a long career, and something I will never forget. Afterwards we partied till dawn. Laura had been after Noddy Holder all night to do his famous 'It's Xmas' and he finally performed it right into her ear at 5a.m., standing outside the BBC Television Centre while we were waiting for our cars home. A fitting end to an unforgettable evening.

Series 39 subjects