The Pleasure Seekers (band)

This article is about a band. For the film, see The Pleasure Seekers. For the song, see The Pleasure Seekers (song). For other uses, see Pleasure Seekers.
The Pleasure Seekers

Patti Quatro, Arlene Quatro, Eileen Biddlingmeier, Diane Baker, Suzi Quatro
Background information
Also known as Cradle
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres Garage rock
Years active 1964 (1964)–1973 (1973)
Labels
Associated acts Fanny
Website quatrorock.com
Past members
  • Suzi Quatro
  • Patti Quatro
  • Nancy Ball
  • Mary Lou Ball
  • Diane Baker
  • Arlene Quatro
  • Darline Arnone
  • Nancy Quatro
  • Pris Wenzell
  • Sherry Hammerlee
  • Eileen Biddlingmeier
  • Pami Benford
  • Nancy Rogers
  • Jerry Nolan
  • Lynne Serridge
  • Leigh Serridge

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.[1]

Name

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".

History

The Pleasure Seekers

Patti Quatro (born Patricia Helen Quatro, March 10, 1948, Detroit, Michigan, USA) formed The Pleasure Seekers in May 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 Ted Nugent, Bob Seger, and others.[2]

The original band included Suzi Quatro and Patti Quatro, Nancy Ball (drums) (born 1947, Detroit, Michigan, USA), Mary Lou Ball (guitar) (born 1950, Detroit, Michigan, USA), and Diane Baker (born 1947, Detroit, Michigan, USA), whose father was in Art Quatro's band, on piano. Later on in April or May 1966 Arlene Quatro (born Arlene Sue Quatro, November 26, 1941, Detroit, Michigan, USA) replaced Diane Baker on the piano. Sheryl 'Sherry' Hammerlee (born 1949) joined the band on rhythm guitar in January 1966. Nan Ball played drums until ca. October 1966 when Darline Arnone (born Darline Sue Arnone, 1950, Detroit, Michigan, USA) (ex-The Loreleis) joined the band and stayed until late (December?) 1969. Arlene Quatro's husband, Leo Fenn, managed the band. Pami Bedford (born Pamela Kaye Bedford, 27 July 1947, Detroit, Michigan, USA) (ex-The Loreleis), joined the band on rhythm guitar in August 1967, replacing Hammerlee.

The band had their first record out in 1965, 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 songs 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.

Cradle

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 the UK 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.

Current

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.[3]

What a Way to Die, a newly remastered album of music from The Pleasure Seekers was released in 2011.[4]

Personal life

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 No. 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.

Discography

Singles

Compilation albums

References

  1. ↑ Perry, Andrew. Quatro crashes back. Daily Telegraph. 23 February 2006.
  2. ↑ Moser, Margaret. "The Pleasure Seekers: Patti and the Quatro Band." The Austin Chronicele. Fri. July 29, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Cradle, The History, CD Baby". www.cdbaby.com. Portland, Oregon, United States: CD Baby. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  4. 1 2 "The Pleasure Seekers, What a Way to Die, CD Baby". www.cdbaby.com. Portland, Oregon, United States: CD Baby. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
  5. ↑ "popsike.com - Pleasure Seekers..Light Of Love...Northern Soul 45 68 - auction details". www.popsike.com. Zurich, Switzerland: Popsike.com. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
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