Introduction
In a recent remote edition of Loudwire’s GearFactor, rock trailblazer Suzi Quatro sat down in her home studio to demonstrate a handful of her all-time favorite bass riffs, all while spotlighting her new feature-length documentary Suzi Q, which premiered July 1 for a 24-hour exclusive and then rolled out on-demand July 3.
Since bursting onto the scene in 1973, Suzi Quatro has shattered barriers as the first woman to front a rock band, play bass and sing lead simultaneously—and she hasn’t looked back since. With early hits like “Can the Can” and “Devil Gate Drive” topping charts across Europe and Australia, she paved the way for generations of female rockers, from Joan Jett to the Go-Go’s.
During her Loudwire segment, Suzi revealed, “I think one of the first [riffs], if I go back very early, was ‘Stagger Lee’ by Lloyd Price. It’s very basic bass—that’s what I learned on”. Hearing her bring that classic groove to life offers a glimpse into her roots and her early inspirations. Even decades into her career, she still carries the same Fender Precision bass she learned on as a teenager in Detroit.
The documentary Suzi Q (2020) charts Quatro’s groundbreaking rise—from gigging with her sisters in Michigan to conquering the London rock scene under producer Mickie Most, and later starring as Leather Tuscadero on Happy Days . Directed by Liam Firmager, it offers a “warts-and-all” portrait, celebrating her six Bravo Otto awards and the hurdles she overcame in a male-dominated industry .
What makes Quatro’s story so compelling is her down-to-earth honesty. Whether she’s riffing on a vintage rock’n’roll baseline or recalling the first time she saw Elvis Presley on TV at age six, her passion is palpable. Fans revisit her bass mastery not just to hear the notes, but to feel the spirit that fueled stadium-filling tours and inspired countless artists who followed in her footsteps .
Watching Suzi Quatro play her favorite riffs reminds us how simplicity can carry such power—and how one artist’s love for groove can echo across generations. If you crave a dose of authentic rock history wrapped in personal anecdotes and powerful bass lines, this GearFactor segment and accompanying documentary are not to be missed.