The Pleasure Seekers
The Pleasure Seekers was a 1960s-era, all-female garage rock band from Detroit, Michigan. The band morphed into Cradle, changing direction musically. They are known due in large part to the later prominence of bandmember Suzi Quatro. According to Suzi Quatro in her memoir Unzipped, the sisters searched through the dictionary for a name for their band and on coming across “hedonist” used the definition “pleasure seeker” to come up with “The Pleasure Seekers“.
Patti Quatro (born 1948, Detroit, Michigan, USA) formed The Pleasure Seekers in 1964, and they were Suzi Quatro’s first band. After a few weeks practice, Patti dared Dave Leone to give them a slot at his popular teen night club, The Hideout in Detroit. He put them on stage two weeks later, and they never looked back, becoming well known and gaining momentum in the burgeoning and exploding Detroit music community, playing concerts and teen clubs with Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, and others.
The original band included Suzi Quatro and Patti Quatro, Nancy Ball (drums), Mary Lou Ball (guitar), and Diane Baker, whose father was in Art Quatro’s band, on piano. Later on Arlene Quatro replaced Diane on the piano. Nan Ball played drums until late 1965 when Darline Arnone joined the band and stayed until late 1969. Arlene Quatro’s husband, Leo Fenn, managed the band.
The band had their first record out in 1964, when Suzi Quatro and her sister Patti Quatro were 15 and 17 years old, respectively, on the Hideout label. Both sides of their first single – “Never Thought You’d Leave Me” b/w “What a Way to Die” – have some prominence; the former is included on Highs in the Mid-Sixties, Volume 6, while the latter was featured in the cult film Blood Orgy of the Leather Girls (1988). Both songs (lyrics by Dave Leone) are included on the compilation album Friday at the Hideout, which offers a retrospective of Hideout Records, and charted regionally for the band.
In 1968, they were one of the earliest all girl rock group to be signed to a major label, Mercury Records. They released a second single, “Light of Love” b/w “Good Kind of Hurt”, with both singles charting. The group matured into a dynamic show band and, using Detroit as home base, toured the U.S. Their show featured an entire Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour revue, as well as a Motown sound revue, and everything in between, as well as featuring one of the earliest known light shows for their act.
In 1969, The Pleasure Seekers morphed into Cradle, changing direction musically in writing heavier original material and touring throughout the U.S. Arlene was now manager and sister Nancy Quatro had joined as vocalist and percussionist. The group toured vigorously, playing concerts and pop festivals throughout the U.S. with popular bands of the day, ending with a tour of Vietnam. In 1971, Suzi was signed by producer Mickie Most to his RAK Records label, leaving for England and solo fame as Suzi Quatro. Patti continued with sister Nancy in Cradle, then joined brother Mike’s MQ Jam Band, co-producing and recording an album, Look Deeply Into the Mirror.
The Quatro sisters have reunited for special TV and concert projects through the years, reminiscent of the early Pleasure Seekers days.
Patti currently runs Cradle Rocks Publishing with sister Nancy, and is involved in restoring the original, never released catalogue of Pleasure Seekers and Cradle music. The History, a newly remastered album of music from Cradle was released in 2010. What a Way to Die, a newly remastered album of music from The Pleasure Seekers was released in 2011.
Arlene Quatro and Leo Fenn are married and have a daughter, actress Sherilynn Fenn. Arlene Quatro left the music business, authoring a book on health and becoming involved in environmental issues.
Nancy Quatro turned to music management, forming N. Glass Management and managing the band Overscene.
In 1974, Patti Quatro joined Fanny, appearing on their Rock and Roll Survivors album and two singles, “I’ve Had It” and “Butter Boy”, which reached #29 nationally. Patti left Fanny in 1975. She continued to pursue studio work on several albums, musical side projects (through many years), and modeling.
Suzi Quatro became very popular in Europe, enjoying a successful and long lasting music career. She sold over 55 million records and is still active as a touring and recording artist. She also branched out as a TV actress, stage actress, radio D.J. and author. She is well known for her role as Leather Tuscadero in the popular TV show Happy Days.
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