Motor City Mavericks: The Pleasure Seekers and Suzi Quatro

Motor City Mavericks: The Pleasure Seekers and Suzi Quatro

When a group of sisters got together in the early '60s to come up with a name for their rock and roll band, they turned to that greatest of reference guides -- the dictionary. Leafing through the large tome, they came across the word "hedonist." Definition: a pleasure seeker. Bingo! Formed in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, in 1964 by 17-year-old Patti Quatro, The Pleasure Seekers were born of Beatlemania and bred on Detroit muscle. They paid their dues in clubs and music festivals across the U.S., opened for a slew of big name rock stars, and became one of the first all-female bands to be signed by a major record label. But their biggest contribution to the world of rock came in the form of a 5-foot firecracker named Suzi Quatro.

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Lesley Gore on Owning Yourself

Lesley Gore on Owning Yourself

Ladies, the next time you want to change your hairstyle or splurge on those Miu Miu pumps and your man gets bossy and tries to dissuade you, just say "you don't own me." Guys, the next time your lady tells you to turn down the car stereo or toss out those LPs that are hogging up space in the kettle…

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Are Ya Ready, Boots? Start Talkin’!

Are Ya Ready, Boots? Start Talkin’!

White boot, black boot, thigh boot, jack boot. I'll endure the snow, slush, and sub-freezing temperatures of Pittsburgh for the rest of my life, as long as I can wear my pavement-pounding, cockroach-killing, arch-destroying boots. It's the thrill of fashion…and the Agony of De Feet. But I'm still standing. From whence do my sartorial obsessions spring? From rock-n-roll, where else! Forty-eight years ago this month Nancy Sinatra recorded her smash hit "These Boots are Made for Walkin." With it's slinky guitar strut and finger-pointing tough girl lyrics, it quickly became a favorite among my growing collection of 45s. What a way for a six-year-old to learn the fine art of insult and accusation!

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Fanny: Four Fab Femmes Who Rocked!

Fanny: Four Fab Femmes Who Rocked!

When the name of your band conjures up images of either (1) the human arse, (2) a vaudeville star named Brice, (3) a protagonist from an 18th century erotic novel by John Cleland, or (4) a character from a recurring 'Playboy' comic strip, you might have a bit of a problem being taken seriously. I'm referring to a mostly forgotten early '70s band named Fanny. The thing is, they were taken seriously -- at least for a while. They signed a major record deal, scored two top 40 hits, appeared on TV variety shows, and toured the U.S. with the big arena acts of the day -- before fading into footnotes. David Bowie once said, "Revivify Fanny. And I will feel that my work is done." So, Mr. Bowie, here's my contribution.

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Marianne Faithfull’s Tears Gone By

Marianne Faithfull’s Tears Gone By

"I slept with three of them and then decided the lead singer was the best bet." That was burgeoning pop singer Marianne Faithfull in 1964, telling "New Musical Express" magazine that the quickest route to success would be to snag a Rolling Stone -- most strategically, Mick Jagger. What a cocky thing to say, I thought when I first heard this quote as a kid. I'd always wanted to use the British term strumpet, and now was my chance. Why all the fuss about Marianne Faithfull, anyway? Sure, she was blonde, sexy and had a hit song. Big deal. So, it was with much skepticism that I decided to read her 1994 memoir "Faithfull." And by the time I finished it, I found her to be one of the most intelligent and independent women in rock -- a talented singer, songwriter, muse, actress, diarist, and survivor. Today is her 68th birthday.

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