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Original poster

To think Suzi Quatro rocks- gender critical thread

76 replies

joystir59 · 10/03/2017 09:32

Just seen Suzi interviewed on BBC morning TV, and she was explaining that she was able to become a successful rock star in a make dominated genre because, when she looks back on her young self, she did not consider gender- she looked at icons like Elvis Presley and said to herself- 'I want to be him'. She dressed simply and didn't wear make up- it was all about being herself and being real- and the music. It was so refreshing to listen to someone who gets it- 'gender identity' only serves to limit us and cause us pain. I've never had one myself, I'm a women who wear all kind of clothes and never lived a typical feminine role. Don't you think this attitude rocks and is exactly what we need right now?

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 10/03/2017 10:32

I remember her being an "oddity" because she was female, a rock musician and didn't conform to the standard rules of femininity.

I agree that she was just being herself rather than what a female was expected to be.

Sounds like her sex didn't even come into the equation. She wanted to be like Elvis and it didn't even enter her head that being female could be a barrier to this. That's the attitude I want my kids to grow up with.

That is absolutely the attitude I want for my children.

ofshoes · 10/03/2017 10:35

Suzi was the first successful rock star

Ummm, ok. Sister Rosetta Tharpe would like a word, she pretty much invented rock guitar in the 30s

derxa · 10/03/2017 10:36

She had her look and stuck to it. Just like Stevie Nicks or Dusty Springfield.

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 10:38

When it comes to playing any instrument, or anything at all for that matter, you should never let gender get the way.

I would say the things I aspire to do and the things I did do pre-kids (bass guitarist in a band), as well as the job I have now are all 'male-dominated things'. My degree is in a typically 'male' subject. I wear make-up everyday.

I do not see my gender or anything else preventing me from doing such things.No one should be held back from doing anything based on their anatomy alone.

derxa · 10/03/2017 10:39

What about Adam Ant and that man out of Mud? Alvin Stardust?
They had a gimmick that helped them sell records. Sandie Shaw in bare feet?

VestalVirgin · 10/03/2017 10:39

I get it OP. Sounds like her sex didn't even come into the equation. She wanted to be like Elvis and it didn't even enter her head that being female could be a barrier to this. That's the attitude I want my kids to grow up with.

It is good that she didn't anything hinder her in her ambitions and dreams, but let's not tell girls the lie that if they are held back by sexism, (which nowadays disguises as gender-ism, but is still the same old shit) it is their own fault and they should just have been less feminine.

She could become a successful rock star because of a myriad of factors. Let's not fool ourselves, the main reason why male dominated industries are male dominated is because the males do not let women in, not because women are too stupid to be sufficiently gender neutral.

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 10:41

derxa are you intending to say Suzi not wearing make up and dressing 'like a woman' was a gimmick in itself?

Keeptrudging · 10/03/2017 10:48

My teenage brother had posters of her all over his bedroom wall. I don't think he considered her unfeminine .

Speakeasy22 · 10/03/2017 10:58

Didn't she mostly wear skin tight leathers, half unzipped... not exactly playing down her body or looks. And not exactly dressed for comfort. I remember her being a pin up. Don't think cords and a cardi would have had the same effect...

derxa · 10/03/2017 11:00

derxa are you intending to say Suzi not wearing make up and dressing 'like a woman' was a gimmick in itself? Yes

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:01

It's her body to dress how she pleases.

If gender equality was normal we wouldn't even be having discussions of this sort. Wish society would get with the times ffs

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:02

Derxa - if so it was a clever marketing strategy. And a harmless one at that.

liz70 · 10/03/2017 11:03

"She wasn't overtly sexual by any means"

Of course not. No teenaged lad ever wanked himself over a young Ms. Quatro in her tight leathers. Oh, no.

To think Suzi Quatro rocks- gender critical thread

RedBullBlood · 10/03/2017 11:03

Suzi came to prominence in the early days of glam rock, when men like Bowie, Marc Bolan, Sweet etc were wearing makeup and what would be considered female clothing (feather boas, sequins etc). It could possibly be argued that SQ's tougher, less girly look was as much of a gimmick.

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:04

Of course not. No teenaged lad ever wanked himself over a young Ms. Quatro in her tight leathers. Oh, no.

Teenage lads can wank over anything. It's called hormones.

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:06

And if the pic you posted serves as your definition of being 'overtly sexual' one can only assume you have never seen modern day pop stars and glamour models

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:07

I'd wear that down the pub if I could. What a slut I would be for doing so

seagazer · 10/03/2017 11:10

If wearing tight leather trousers isn't dressing sexually i don't know what is. Of course it was what men wore at the time but if she didn't want to look attractive to men she wouldn't have worn the leather.

derxa · 10/03/2017 11:14

I like Suzi but for me she was part of the Top of The Pops Era when everyone seemed to have a strong look and identity. Now I'm an old fart the only people I know of are people like Adele and Little Mix because they're on telly. I listen to R1 sometimes and singers all sound the same.
I could have wept with joy when Rag n Bone Man won a Brit.

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 10/03/2017 11:15

Well at that time, ThisAint, tight leather unzipped catsuits were definitely not casually worn to the pub; you used rhe word slut which is not my choice, but Quattro's look was definitely sexual, just aimed at a different market from some of her contemporaries.

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:16

Wow. The body shamers are in full swing this morning. Christ sake, her tits and arse are covered.

Again I reiterate a point that topics and opinions like these will come up for as long as we don't have gender equality. People are on here bashing her for what she wore. If she dressed in a bikini and played she'd still be shamed.

She can wear what the fuck she likes. She's a good musician. I don't see how what she chooses to wear/not wear detracts from her ability. For fuck sake!!

MooCahnt · 10/03/2017 11:17

Joan Jett and Girlschool also rocked it hard. \m/.

derxa · 10/03/2017 11:18

Wow. The body shamers are in full swing this morning. Christ sake, her tits and arse are covered. I agree.

ThisAintALoveSong · 10/03/2017 11:19

Ok so it's the 70's. it's acceptable for a guy to wear shirt and pants or a jump suit, or cross dress and wear make up and have long hair, or whatever the fuck he wants. It's cool. It's glam. Its not a problem what he chooses to wear.

But a woman wears leather and she's sexually dressed?!? Jesus wept!

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 10/03/2017 11:20

It's not bodyshaming, it's pointing out that she was presented as a sex object.

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