Story 419: Cielo and Suzi Q

Hi all, I’ve been busy finishing a YA novel, almost due for a solid batch of children’s books! In the meantime, here’s a real life story about the beautiful; little girl this site is named after… Enjoy.

If You Can’t Give Me Love
by
Matt Zurbo

The first big concert I ever saw was Suzi Quatro in the early 80s. I was 12 and went by myself to Festival Hall. I was stuck behind 8 hulking Hell’s Angels, but just glad to know she was in the room somewhere.

We had our daughter Cielo late in my life – a glorious, extroverted, ratbag. She is now 7 and has been playing guitar for two years, adores Suzi, and is currently learning the 12-bar blues so she can play Suzi’s songs. On Australia Day we took her to see Quatro for HER first ever big concert. A wonderful loop.

We were in the nosebleed, the stage a mile and three levels away. A few songs in, Cielo said; “Papa, can we see her face?” So she and I snuck down to ground level, ten rows from the front. My wife followed. We ended up standing with a few others by the stage, Cielo was over the moon.
Suzi talked about starting young, and letting nothing stop her, about letting nothing stop you. About being a tuff chick. A great message for our little girl.

The show rocked! 2 1/2 hours, full house. Suzi and her band were tight, she was funny. Never stagnant, she played classic thumpers and some new belters, and did a bass solo that said she was taking a back seat no NO guitar.. I watched 3000 people standing, singing “If You Can’t Give Me Love”, going off, arms waving, in love.

By her encore the stage was swamped. Suzi ran the extended hands of those closest, slapping and squeezing each one. As she came towards our side, I lost Cielo in traffic. A woman yelled to me “Ya gotta take yer chances!”, and gave up her shot in order to lift Cielo so Suzi might see her.
Suzi spotted Cielo, jolted with shock, then broke into the warmest, most genuine smile, and b-lined to her. She got right down to Cielo’s level, shook her hand and held it, eyes locked, with a genuine expression of Quatro power, for the longest few seconds. An earnest, no bullshit thing. A look that had seen a lot in life, and wanted to tell Cielo everything, but had no time and could only give her respect and her strength. So gave it.

Then went back to putting on a show.

It was one of the most inspiring things you could see. Thank you Suzi, I’ll be forever grateful!

For that, you, your music and rock’n’roll.