Long Way to the TopLong Way to the Top

S4E18 - Suzi Quatro: Freedom, the Detroit Sound and the Queen of Rock

View descriptionShare
 

Suzi Quatro joins Long Way to the Top for a career-spanning conversation about her incredible rock and roll journey, her new album Freedom, recording with Alice Cooper and her massive Down Under 2026 Australian tour.

From Can the Can, 48 Crash and Devil Gate Drive to The Wild One, If You Can't Give Me Love and Stumblin' In, Suzi Quatro didn't simply become one of the biggest rock stars of the 1970s. She helped change what a rock star could look like.

In this episode, Suzi talks about growing up in the extraordinary Detroit music scene, picking up the bass, leaving America for England, working with legendary producer Mickie Most and the explosion of success that followed Can the Can in 1973. We also revisit Leather Tuscadero and Happy Days, her influence on generations of women in rock and her remarkable relationship with Australian audiences.

But Suzi Quatro is far from living in the past.

Her latest studio album, Freedom, sees her reconnecting with her rock and roll roots in her third album collaboration with her son Richard Tuckey. The record also features fellow Detroit rock legend Alice Cooper joining Suzi for a blistering version of the MC5 classic Kick Out the Jams.

Suzi tells Shayne about working with Alice, why Detroit remains such an important part of her musical DNA, making records with her son and why, more than six decades into her career, she still has no intention of quietly putting the bass guitar away.

We also look ahead to the Suzi Quatro Down Under 2026 Tour, which takes her across Australia throughout November and December with Baby Animals as special guests on the headline concerts, plus Red Hot Summer Tour appearances featuring artists including Jon Stevens, Baby Animals, Rose Tattoo, The Screaming Jets, Dragon and Choirboys, with line-ups varying between shows.

If you love Suzi Quatro, 70s rock, glam rock, classic rock, Australian rock history, Alice Cooper, Detroit rock and the stories behind the songs, this is an episode you don't want to miss.


IN THIS EPISODE

Suzi Quatro talks about:

  • Returning to Australia for the Down Under 2026 Tour
  • Her extraordinary relationship with Australian audiences
  • Why she still loves performing live
  • Her new 2026 album Freedom
  • Working with her son Richard Tuckey
  • Recording Kick Out the Jams with Alice Cooper
  • Growing up inside Detroit's legendary rock and roll scene
  • Starting out with The Pleasure Seekers
  • Moving to England and working with Mickie Most
  • The breakthrough success of Can the Can
  • 48 Crash, Devil Gate Drive, The Wild One and her classic 1970s hits
  • Becoming Leather Tuscadero on Happy Days
  • Breaking down barriers for women playing rock and roll
  • The continuing popularity of Stumblin' In
  • More than six decades of surviving the music business
  • Why retirement still isn't part of the Suzi Quatro plan

SUZI QUATRO DOWN UNDER 2026 AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATESNOVEMBER 2026

Saturday 14 November
Rooty Hill, NSW
Coliseum Theatre
With special guests Baby Animals.

Sunday 15 November
Sydney, NSW
Sydney Opera House
With special guests Baby Animals.

Thursday 19 November
Hobart, TAS
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre
With special guests Baby Animals.

Friday 20 November
Gold Coast, QLD
The Star Gold Coast
With special guests Baby Animals.

Sunday 22 November
Brisbane, QLD
Roma Street Parkland
Red Hot Summer Tour.

Saturday 28 November
Lake Macquarie, NSW
Speers Point Park
Red Hot Summer Tour.

Sunday 29 November
Torquay, VIC
Torquay Common
Red Hot Summer Tour.

DECEMBER 2026

Wednesday 2 December
Melbourne, VIC
Palais Theatre
With special guests Baby Animals.

Saturday 5 December
Seppeltsfield, SA
Seppeltsfield Wines
Red Hot Summer Tour.

Sunday 6 December
Fremantle, WA
Fremantle Prison
With special guests Baby Animals.

🎟 Tickets and full tour information are available through Face to Face Touring.
https://facetofacetouring.com.au/current-tours/suzi-quatro-down-under-2026

 


FOLLOW LONG WAY TO THE TOP

Love the stories behind the songs and the long road travelled by the artists who made them?

Hit plus or follow to subscribe to Long Way to the Top and never miss an episode.

Join us on Facebook for new interviews, classic rock stories, upcoming guests and more:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheLongWayToTheTopPodcast

And if you enjoyed this episode with Suzi Quatro, share it with another classic rock fan and help us keep these incredible stories alive.

Keep on Rocking!

 

#SuziQuatro #AliceCooper #Freedom #KickOutTheJams #LongWayToTheTop #ClassicRock #RockNRoll #SuziQuatro2026 #AustralianTour #BabyAnimals #RedHotSummerTour #CanTheCan #DevilGateDrive #StumblinIn #70sRock #DetroitRock

  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Download

In 1 playlist(s)

Long Way to the Top

Every song has a story. Every legend has a journey. Long Way to the Top is where those stories come 
Social links
Follow podcast
Recent clips
Browse 86 clip(s)