You won’t believe the raw power that oozes from Suzi Quatro as she stomps onto that B&W stage in her leather jumpsuit, bass guitar held like a weapon, defiantly ripping through ‘Devil Gate Drive’—a 1974 glam-rock anthem that scandalized the scene by putting a woman front and center in a male-dominated industry. No flashy effects, just snarling vocals, thunderous bass lines, and a crowd going wild by the third verse, feeling every ounce of her unbridled rebellion.

Introduction

Watching the original black‑and‑white clip of “Devil Gate Drive” instantly transports you to the heart of 1970s glam rock, where Suzi Quatro’s commanding presence and powerhouse bass playing broke new ground for women in rock music.
That video—often called the “Original B&W Clip”—captures her leather‑clad swagger, low‑slung guitar, and razor‑sharp attitude in a single, unforgettable frame.

Released on February 10, 1974, “Devil Gate Drive” became Suzi Quatro’s second solo number‑one single in the UK, holding the top spot for two consecutive weeks .
Beyond Britain, the single also surged to No. 1 in Australia’s Go‑Set and Kent Music Report charts, and climbed to the summit in Norway, while reaching the top three in Germany and Switzerland.
On the Irish Singles Chart, it likewise claimed the No. 1 position, and it held a strong presence in the Netherlands’ Top 40 and Single Top 100 lists.

Penned and produced by the hit‑making duo Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the song epitomizes glam rock’s blend of catchy hooks, stomping riffs, and studio polish.
The B‑side, “In the Morning,” co‑written by Suzi and her then‑husband Len Tuckey, offers a more introspective counterpoint to the A‑side’s fierce energy.
“Devil Gate Drive” also marked the second chart‑topping collaboration for ChinniChap, following Mud’s “Tiger Feet,” showcasing their knack for crafting arena‑ready anthems.

Born Susan Kay Quatro on June 3, 1950, in Detroit, Michigan, she first played percussion in her father’s jazz trio before switching to bass and forming the all‑female band The Pleasure Seekers at age fourteen.
After signing with Rak Records in London in 1971, she fused hard rock riffs with pop hooks and a fearless persona that challenged the gender norms of rock music.
Her recurring role as Leather Tuscadero on the sitcom Happy Days further amplified her icon status, introducing her brash rock style to American living rooms .

Music critics and fans alike praise “Devil Gate Drive” for its raw energy and for paving the way for future female rock artists, a testament to Suzi’s enduring influence.
The Guardian included it in its list of the 20 best glam‑rock songs of all time, applauding its merge of rock’n’roll drive with tribal‑beat flair.
Guitar.com singled out the song’s relentless guitar chug as a defining motif that underscores Suzi’s unbridled musical power.
And online music outlet DIG noted that “Devil Gate Drive” helped Quatro sell over 50 million records worldwide, cementing her place in rock history.
Revisiting this clip feels like flipping through a friend’s vintage photo album; you can almost feel the adrenaline of a live show pulsing through your speakers.
Have you ever felt a song seize you so instantly that you can’t help but move? That’s exactly what “Devil Gate Drive” does from the first note.

Whether you’re discovering Suzi’s audacious style for the first time or reliving the anthem that shook arenas, “Devil Gate Drive” is a high‑octane ride through rock history that still packs a punch.
Next time you cue it up, listen for the layered backing vocals, the stomping drum break, and Suzi’s signature rasp—elements that make this track as fresh today as it was in 1974

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