Podcast Summary: Tony Mantor's Almost Live... Nashville

Episode: Suzi Quatro – After 61 Years in Music She Still Has Stories to Tell
Host: Tony Mantor
Guest: Suzi Quatro
Release Date: October 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, veteran music producer and host Tony Mantor sits down with the iconic Suzi Quatro—legendary singer, songwriter, actress, and author—to reflect on her extraordinary 61-year career and the release of her latest book, Grave Undertakings. The conversation explores Suzi's journey through music, writing, and acting, her creative process, and the lessons learned along the way. The episode is sprinkled with candid insights into her personality, career, and philosophy on creativity and longevity in the entertainment business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Suzi Quatro’s New Book: Grave Undertakings

• History of Writing

  • Suzi reveals this is her seventh book, following an autobiography, two poetry collections, a novel, a lyric book, and a COVID-inspired collection of thoughts. (03:53–04:23)
  • "I'm a bit of a graveyard dweller. A lot of people find graveyards fascinating. I'm one of them.” (Suzi, 04:28–04:44)

• Inspiration & Structure

  • The title Grave Undertakings was conceived 35+ years ago, inspired by her fascination with graveyards and tombstone inscriptions.
  • She collected epitaphs from friends and musicians over several decades, many no longer living.
  • The novel centers around six psychology students and their Austrian professor, with each lesson uncovering insights into character and psyche. The tombstone inscriptions provide the “payoff” at the end. (05:20–06:20)

• Creative Process

  • Suzi shares the magical, almost subconscious process of writing, surprising herself when reading the manuscript:
    • “I must have stopped every half an hour and thought, who wrote this?” (07:16)
    • She likens the process to songwriting—sometimes you don't remember creating it.
    • “I found myself actually saying, which is really crazy, I wonder what happens next. And then I say, Suzi, you wrote it!” (08:03–08:21)

• Emotional Connection and Psychology

  • Suzi notes her own personality seeps into every character:
    • “There's a bit of me in every character, you know?” (09:16)
    • As a naturally analytical person, she says she could have been a psychiatrist or criminal lawyer.
  • She relays the best feedback:
    • “‘This should be required reading for every human and every psychology student.’ I went, what?” (10:22–10:39)

Creativity, Reflection, and Personal Growth

• On Learning and People Skills

  • “Being in the business [for] one years, you know, and having to learn about people real quick ... it's the school of life. And I didn't graduate high school, but I know people.” (11:13–11:25)

• Character Visualization

  • Suzi bases characters partly on herself and her husband, with her optimism (Penelope Perfect) contrasting her husband's pessimism (Ex Morose).
  • “Most of the characters, I had a visual. I think to myself, I knew somebody like this in school.” (12:07–12:12)

Aspirations & Future Plans

• Book Availability and Screen Adaptation

  • Grave Undertakings is available everywhere books are sold.
  • Suzi hopes for a ten-part TV adaptation, wanting to remain closely involved with screenwriting. (12:29–13:10)

• Musical Ventures

  • Suzi is actively recording a new solo rock album, with extensive tours in the UK and Australia planned.
  • “I'm working harder than I've ever done and constantly releasing material, writing books ... I'm not one of these sit still people.” (13:33–13:47)

Legacy, Reflection, and Philosophy

• Enjoyment in Later Career

  • She calls this phase the “gravy years,” reflecting on how pressure has eased, allowing her to enjoy performing more:
    • “I am Susie Quatro, but I don't have to be Susie Quatro. Does that make sense?” (14:22–14:59)

• Perspectives on Goals and Mortality

  • Suzi prefers not to set hard goals:
    • “Because as an artist, if you have a goal, what happens when you reach it? ... Then I'm in the book.” (15:24–15:37)
  • On her own imagined tombstone:
    • "The first side says that. 'Now I get it.' And the second side says, 'Too many dreams, too little time.'" (15:47–15:53)

• Pride in Accomplishments

  • “I'm very proud that I have been able to be this successful, still feel grateful and love it so much ... and my feet are very much on the ground.” (16:55–17:13)

• Generational Audiences

  • Suzi delights in the cross-generational appeal that brings whole families to her shows:
    • “You get whole families there, which is fantastic. That means, you know, your legacy continues.” (17:38–17:43)

• On Creative Self-Critique

  • She discusses her ability to critique her own performances, always striving to improve:
    • “You're always upgrading your show, everybody. You always do.” (20:35)

• Stage Presence

  • Audience sees “this small girl with this big bass guitar stride onto the stage like she owns it, but at the same time, a little bit shy.” (21:04-21:19)

Collaborations and Anecdotes

• Detroit & Collaborations

  • Suzi regularly returns to Detroit, most recently for a duet with Alice Cooper on her forthcoming album:
    • “He's on my new album ... We did a track and made a video. He agreed to appear on my next album.” (23:01–23:11)

• New Album Style

  • The new music returns to her rock roots:
    • “It's kind of full circle back to where I begin. So it is a rock album.” (23:17–23:23)

Reflections on Acting and “Happy Days”

• Transition Into Acting

  • Suzi was not surprised by her foray into acting (e.g., Happy Days), given her diverse artistic interests.
    • “I could have gone this way, that way, this way, that way. I always knew I could act.” (19:21–19:44)

• First Day on Happy Days

  • She initially felt the cast might be skeptical about her acting but was open about needing help.
  • The cast, including Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, provided key tips that helped her feel at home.
    • “No, that's the strangest thing, Suzi, from the first show, it was like you had always been there.” (Ron Howard, relayed by Suzi, 25:12–25:17)

• On Being Part of TV History

  • “That's got to be just a great feeling to be part of something like that.” (Tony, 27:41)
  • “Oh, God, yeah. I'm very proud of that.” (Suzi, 27:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Creative Surprises:

  • “I must have stopped every half an hour and thought, who wrote this?” (Suzi, 07:16)
  • “I found myself actually saying ... I wonder what happens next. And then I say, Suzi, you wrote it!” (Suzi, 08:03)

• On Psychology in Art:

  • “This should be required reading for every human and every psychology student.” (Suzi, quoting a reviewer, 10:22–10:39)

• On Her Tombstone:

  • “The first side says that. 'Now I get it.' And the second side says, 'Too many dreams, too little time.'” (Suzi, 15:47–15:53)

• On Enjoyment in Her Career:

  • “Now, I call them the gravy years ... Not that you don't have the pressure of always doing a good job. That's always there. Yes, but I am Susie Quatro, but I don't have to be Susie Quatro.” (Suzi, 14:22–14:59)

• On Stage Persona:

  • “They see this small girl with this big bass guitar stride onto the stage like she owns it, but at the same time, a little bit shy.” (Suzi, 21:05–21:19)

• On Candid Artistry:

  • “What you see is what you get.” (Suzi, 24:35–24:47)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:48] Beginning—Suzi introduces her books and Grave Undertakings
• [05:21–07:45] Exploring the creative process and subconscious inspiration
• [10:22] Reviewer’s praise and psychological insights
• [13:18] Discussion of ongoing tours and new solo album
• [14:59] Transition to “gravy years" and enjoying performance now
• [15:44] Suzi’s planned epitaph
• [17:38] On generations of fans at shows
• [19:21] Not being surprised by transition to acting
• [23:01] Recent Detroit trips and Alice Cooper duet
• [23:17] New album’s rock direction
• [26:11–27:45] Memories and experiences from Happy Days

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a rare blend of warmth, candor, and wisdom from a seasoned artist who continues to evolve. Suzi Quatro’s reflections on her past, her creative journey, and her current projects reveal a relentless passion for the arts and for life—a spirit that will inspire listeners, aspiring artists, and long-time fans alike.