By Dionne Meehan
INTERNATIONAL superstar Suzi Quatro is set to headline Oakfest in Oakfield Park tomorrow and will be gracing the stage in Raphoe at 9.15pm.
The American singer, bass guitarist and songwriter came from a very musical family of five children.
Being passed on her musical genes from her father, Suzi said at 14 years of age she taught herself the bass guitar.
“That was it for the rest of my life,” she joked.
Now in the music business for 59 years, Suzi has featured in the British charts for 101 weeks and has sold over 55 million records, and counting!
With an abundance of ‘pinch-me’ moments throughout her career, Suzi said you always remember the firsts of everything.
A fond memory that stands out to Suzi was her first number one, ‘Can the Can’, which is 50 years old this year.
Suzi also talked about her first big concert.
“Thousands of people are just there to see you,” she said.
However, one of her fondest memories is turning 50 in Waldbuhne, Berlin in front of 22,000 people.
“I think that is pretty hard to beat,” she said.
Speaking ahead of her performance at Oakfest on Saturday, Suzi said she is coming to Donegal early to take in some of the sights.
“We are actually coming to Donegal a day before the gig and we are flying out the day after so we will be able to sight see a little bit,” she said.
Having never played in Donegal before, Suzi said she is looking forward to it.
“I look forward to every gig but this one sounds like it is going to be quite special,” she said.
With temperatures set to be around the mid 20’s, Suzi said she may need to reconsider wearing her full leather jumpsuit for the gig.
On Saturday night, concert goers can expect a night full of Suzi’s greatest hits.
“I always am mindful of the audience and I always perform the hits.
“You get the hits and you will get music from 1973 to 2023 so everybody is satisfied.
“I am not one of these artists, never have been and never will be, that gets tired of playing their hits,” she said.
Now in her 73rd year, Suzi plans to continue on the road after her gig at Oakfest.
Between gigs in Lithuania and Finland, Suzi has a jam-packed schedule.
In November, Suzi is planning on performing five big shows across England to celebrate 50 years of her first number one single ‘Can the Can’.
With no intentions of retiring anytime soon, Suzi said her audience would have to retire before her.
If you are interesting in going along to Suzi’s performance on Saturday night you can purchase tickets via www.oakfieldpark.com/oakfest
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)