Q-when you accepted the role of Leather Tuscadero, you were already a very big music star, didn't you run a risk with the acting?, wasn't that a new activity for you?
SUZI: yes, it was a new activity. But I have always felt I could act. Needless to say, I was shitting myself on the first day of filming.
Q-is the rumour true that at the audition there were other singers including Debbie Harry (Blondie) and Joan Jett?
SUZI: They were never at the audition. There names were suggested but for various reasons, I was exactly who they were looking for.
Q-I know that the Happy days cast was like a family, what do you remember of this Family?
SUZI: I was made to feel part of this family from the beginning. I always work best in a professional and waarm enviroment. I had a lot of help from Ronnie Howard and Henry Winkler with regards to giving me acting tips as I was doing it for the first time.
Q-have you ever thought of releasing, a record with the great songs that you sang in the show?
SUZI: I never thought about it, but it is a good idea. Maybe in the future, who knows.
Q-could you tell me about your "problem" with the dress in the episode where Leather goes to the ball with Ralph?
SUZI: It was very much real life. I never wore dresses and the part I played was the same. Leather was a rocker, a rebel, not a lady (at least not outwardly). I ended up looking very much like a picture of myself in the only dress I wore as a teenager and the only time I went to that kind of dance. I was always playing the music at functions not attending them.
Q-I know that, in your first episode, you made a mistake in timing and went out on the set before your queue. were their any other instances of mistakes or practical jokes?(the HD cast was known for playing many pratical jokes)
SUZI :I can't remember any practical jokesplayed on me, maybe because I was married to a giant of a man at that time.
Q-The character of Leather was a GREAT success; infact even if you take part only in seven episodes today every HD fan remebers Leather Tuscadero as a principal character, what do you think about this? why Leather obtained this great success?(in my opinion because you are a very great actreses and a GREAT singer and a nice girl!)
SUZI: Leather was very much the female counterpart to Fonzie. It was a perfect balance. I guess she felt real to the audience and I was so comfortable playing her with the cast, I felt like I had been in it from the beginning. I guess the audience felt the same. Thankyou for saying I am a great actress. I hope to get the chance to prove it again in the very near future.
Q-Next january will be 25 years after the first HD episode. In your opinion why even now do the HD reruns obtain such a great audiance?
SUZI :Happy Days will always be watched just like a good hit record will always be listened. Anything that is truly memorable will always stand the test of time, which is the cruelest test of all.
Q-In your opinion would the show have the same sense and success if it was to air now for the first time?(near the 2000 year)
SUZI :Absolutely
Q-what do you think about an hypothetical NEW HD tv movie with all the original actors for a reunion? Would you like to take part again as Leather Tuscadero? She (Leather) would be older, what would she be doing?
SUZI: I would love to play Leather again, old rockers never die. They just shake, rattle and roll.
Q-I know that even now you are in contact with some HD actors, is that true? who have you heard from recently?
SUZI: I have seen Marion in New York, Ronnie Howard in New York and spoken to Henry and Anson many times.
Q-what do you think about the club and the fanzine ARNOLD's NEWS? Do you read it?
SUZI: First of all the club is great! I read it as soon as I receive it. Your doing a great job.
Q-Finally the club has its base in Italy: do you know any Italian rock music? we hope you could come to Italy for a show, because in Italy there are a LOT of Suzi Quatro fans!!
SUZI :I don't know much about the Italian music scene. I would love to come there and do some shows. Lets start a campaign... bring Suzi Quatro to Italy, after all it's half of my parentage. Hoope this is okay good luck with your club.
this interview was made by Giuseppe Ganelli with the help of Patrick Doonan
Suzi as Leather with Fonzie (Henry Winkler) on the set of "Happy days"
Suzi reads our fanzine ARNOLD's NEWS (# 6 ) with a special about her.
Suzi live in Australia 1999 (pic by Patrick Doonan).