'The queen of rock 'n' roll from the US swore allegiance to the King of England'

Out on tour and pitch perfect, leather-clad Suzi Quatro tells of enduring pride in her US roots as she tightens ties with Britain

- By Hannah Britt

HE might have rocked over to the UK 55 years ago but Suzi Quatro is so proud of her American roots that she only took up British citizenship three weeks ago.

The leather-clad singer and bassist was given her big break on these shores when in 1971, she was spotted by producer Mickie Most, who brought her to England to join his RAK label.

Mickie promised to launch her solo career and make her "the first Suzi Quatro" rather than "the next Janis Joplin" and she never looked back.

After a string of hits including Can the Can and Devil Gate Drive, Suzi married her Scottish lead guitarist Len Tuckey and they brought up their two children Richard Leonard and Laura in a manor house in Chelmsford, Essex.

But despite being such an Anglophile, Suzi has only just recently became a fully fledged citizen. She says: "The queen of rock and roll swore allegiance to the King of England.

"I don't consider myself to be British, I never would. I don't like it when people switch their accents and roots. I was born and raised in Detroit. Nobody has ever spoken to me and mistaken me for being British.

"But I love this country. I've put down roots here. My children were born and raised here. I was married to a British guy, although now I'm married to a German.

"I like your fairness. You're fair people. I think you're the most democratic nation in the world. I love your sense of humour, but it takes a bit of getting used to. Once you get it, it's brilliant.