Suzi Quatro’s enduring rock ‘n’ roll prowess is on full display at the Palais
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28.01.2025

Suzi Quatro’s enduring rock ‘n’ roll prowess is on full display at the Palais

Suzi Quatro
Photo: Kate Arnott
Suzi Quatro
Photo: Kate Arnott
Suzi Quatro
Photo: Kate Arnott
Photo: Kate Arnott
Suzi Quatro
Photo: Kate Arnott
Suzi Quatro
Photo: Kate Arnott
Suzi Quatro
Photo: Kate Arnott
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Words by Bryget Chrisfield

She’s often referred to Australia as her “second home” and, once on stage, Suzi Quatro confirms that this current Rockin’ On tour – her 40th visit to our shores! – breaks a record previously held by Sir Elton John, cheekily adding that she just had to let him know, of course. 

After her sublime all-Australian backing band take the stage and kick into gear, Suzi Quatro arrives, spinning around to face upstage and show off that famous derrière (1982’s “Rear Of The Year”, in fact). They then launch full-throttle into the opening number, The Wild One: “All my life I wanted to be somebody, and here I am!” 

Suzi explains she’s scanning the front rows in search of a man to sing another song to. And during Mama’s Boy, keyboardist Paul Cecchinelli shines. 

Check out our gig guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.

Her setlist draws from a vast back catalogue – 1973 all the way through to now. Last year, CYRIL’s reimagining of Suzi’s stunning Chris Norman duet, Stumblin’ In, topped the ARIA Australian Singles Chart for ten consecutive weeks.

As a snippet of his “techno version” plays over the venue sound system, an image of Suzi meeting the Darwin-based DJ/producer graces the stage’s back screen. Suzi then tells us she greeted him with, “Hi, nice to meet you, you stole my song!” 

Tim Henwood (Palace Of The King, Rogue Traders, Androids) – one of the two backing guitarists, the other being the peerless Nat Allison – takes Norman’s vocal parts to perform Stumblin’ In in its original key. His timbre perfectly complements that of Suzi, who – now aged 74 – has retained the entirety of her vocal range. 

She’s honed her chops across 61 years in the music biz to become an untouchable performer. Suzi’s show(wo)manship is off the charts and her all-inclusive eye contact dares you to look away, even for a second. 

Following her second smash hit, the stomping 48 Crash, Suzi wonders aloud whether the dudes in the crowd that she clocked singing along actually know what this song is all about.

“The male menopause,” she enlightens, “which is actually far worse than the female one, ‘cause at least we own it” – LOLs all ‘round. Her extended yowl during this one is greeted by whoops and applause from the full house. 

In between songs, Suzi shares memories from her childhood alongside highlights from her resume as compatible images flash up on the back screen.

When Leather Tuscadero appears, Suzi reminds us of her recurring, two-season role in Happy Days, delightfully informing us that she remains friends with Ron Howard and Henry Winkler to this day. It’s like an old-school variety show – Suzi as both charming host and flawless musical guest – with a dash of This Is Your Life, and we’re all for it!

Suzi dedicates the title track from 2021’s The Devil In Me – the second album she released with her son Richard – to her mama, who often described her as an “angel”. She also shares her mama’s feedback following a 1974 homecoming performance: “Did you have to stand with your legs so far apart?” 

That low-slung bass is a weapon Suzi wields with pride (see: her gobsmacking extended solo toward the set’s close – talk about bass face!). She also flaunts her piano playing for Can I Be Your Girl?. And drum bashing skills, during a drum-off with the superlative Johnny Salerno. 

 Covers we’re treated to this evening include Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World by Neil Young and Bad Moon Rising by Creedence Clearwater Revival (from 2020’s six-track Uncovered EP – a collection of songs Suzi cut her musical teeth to). 

For Act II, we anticipate Suzi will have changed into her iconic black leather jumpsuit, but this is not to be. Sadly, she says, the ass seam ripped when a rabid fan tried to pull her off the stage during a recent gig in Germany. She sure has stayed true to her authentic, rockin’ look, though, which we totally appreciate.

Swaying phone torches light up the theatre to illustrate Shine A Light: a taste of Face To Face, Suzi’s 2023 collaborative album with KT Tunstall. 

“If anybody is still sitting on their asses, you’re too old to be here, okay?” – Suzi teases, but we’re all upstanding anyway just prior to the double-gut punch of Can The Can and Devil Gate Drive.

 

Fun fact: 2023 marked the 50th anniversary of Suzi’s first-ever #1 hit, Can The Can.   

Cecchinelli’s phalanges of fury unleash once again during the main set closer, Sweet Little Rock & Roller (a Chuck Berry cover). “What I was, what I am and what I always will be. Sweet. Little. Rock. And. Roller!” – this song could’ve been written about Suzi herself. 

Suzi returns to the stage for an encore amidst thunderous applause before gushing, “What happened tonight is the reason I keep coming back.”

Sitting on a centre stage stool with a white towel draped across her shoulders, Suzi then performs a tender rendition of one of her favourite songs of all time, Desperado, accompanied just by Cecchinelli and we’re spellbound: “You better let somebody love you before it’s too late.” 

Post-show, Suzi took to Insta to express her delight: “Rocked the ass off the joint, the sweat was pouring down the walls and the room was shaking” – all of this, we can confirm.

Suzi has inspired girls the world over to pick up instruments (including Joan Jett and Tina Weymouth) and continues to do so. Long may the Queen Of Rock reign! 

Homework: Be sure to check out the Suzi Q doco, which premiered in Australia first back in 2019.

To keep up with Suzi Quatro, head here.