UP TH Suzi on why she’s still rocking at 70
HITTING the big 7-0 can be daunting – but veteran rocker Suzi Quatro has no fears about reaching the landmark birthday.
“I don’t give a sh*t about ageing, and never have,” said the feisty grandmotherof-two. “It’s a milestone but I’m not depressed about it.
“I refuse to wear make-up, my hair’s not too grey and I think I look fine.”
Rock’s first female megastar became renowned in the 70s for her big bass guitar and skin-tight catsuits.
Flash forward five decades and Detroit-born Suzi hopes to celebrate her 70th on Wednesday in Hamburg, the German home city of her tour promoter husband Rainer Haas, 75.
“Fingers crossed my flights won’t be cancelled,” she said.
“Germany has eased the lockdown so Rainer’s got a restaurant booked – though it’ll be socially distanced, of course. The Germans are very good at following rules.”
Suzi dashed back to the UK from Hamburg just before the lockdown, so she and Rainer have not seen each other since March 17.
Emotional
Speaking via Zoom from her pad in Essex, she admits their daily video chats are always emotional.
“It’s been very difficult,” she said. “I’ve told him I might never let him go again.
“We wake in the morning, get on Skype and almost immediately we both begin to cry. I only need to see his face and it starts.
“I keep saying to Rainer how beautiful it is to still feel this way after 27 years.”
But while absence appears to have made their hearts grow fonder, the couple have no plans to ditch their unconventional living arrangements.
“Living separately works for us. We’re the original social distancing couple,” Suzi explained. “But instead of so many quick trips, we might do month-long spells together. That would be OK as we adjust to the new normal.”
Suzi has been hard at work during the lockdown and recently finished writing a new 14-track album.
She has also begun talks for a film about her extraordinary life, in which she has sold more than 55 million records. “I’ve signed to do it and we’re working on the script,” she said.
“Miley Cyrus has been mentioned to play me but I’m not sure. The fans don’t seem to like her. Paloma
Faith is another name. I think she might have the right vibe to play me and she told me she’d love to test for the role.”
Chart-topping sensation Billie
Eilish is in the frame too.
“She actually looks a bit like me,” Suzi said. “My daughter showed me a picture of Billie before she got really famous and pointed out the similarity. I need to see if we have a connection. I can see it visually, but the question is, can she act? “I’m going to be very hands-on with this film. So whatever happens I will find the right person.”
Suzi has spent the lockdown connecting with fans and upping her fitness regime.
“I’ve gone crazy on social media,” she said. “I do a thought for the day on Instagram, and Suzi Sundays, which is normally a song at the piano. It’s gone down a storm. Fans say it cheers them up, so it’s my little contribution to what’s going on. I also walk every day, often six miles to the shops and back. And I’ve been jogging.” But Suzi thinks cycling will certainly be off the menu in future.
“My one concession to being 70 is accepting that my bike-riding days are over,” she said.
“I went out last week and got nervous, and started to wobble. Then a car sped by and I nearly fell off.
Raunchy
“My feet don’t touch the ground either so it’s not safe any more. Not unless I use stabilisers.”
On the secret of her youthful complexion, Suzi says she sticks to the basics – and she’s not tempted to go under the knife.
She said: “My routine is to wash my face with soap and water and use Clinique moisturiser. That’s works because I’m not chasing 20 ever get to the stage where I go, ‘U then maybe I’d consider surgery.
“But until then, who gives a sh*t? I’m not against others doing it, but it’s really a personal choice.” Suzi’s