A ROCK n’ roll trailblazer famous for her leather outfits and tomboy attitude is to appear on stage in the region following a screening of a documentary film on her life.

Leather-clad bass player Suzi Quatro paved the way for a generation of female rockers when she burst onto the scene in the 1970s with a string of hits, including Can The Can, Devil Gate Drive and 48 Crash.

She has also had several acting roles, most memorably as Leather Tuscadero opposite Henry Winkler and Ron Howard in US sitcom Happy Days in the late 70s.

The Detroit-born musician’s five-decade long career has been documented in a new film, Suzi Q, which will have its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival, on August 15.

Quatro will be be making a limited number of appearances to promote the documentary in the UK, including at Darlington Film Club on Thursday, October 10.

The club, based at the Forum Music Centre on Borough Road, will show the film, after which Quatro will appear to speak about her life and career and take part in a question and answer session.

This is the latest in a series of film specials brought to Darlington by James Watson and Kathleen Matthews and came about after a sold-out screening of a Teddy Pendergrass documentary earlier this year.

Mr Watson said: “I was speaking to the film company about the Suzi Q documentary. I said I’d love to screen it if I could have Suzi come along for a Q&A. When this became possible I leapt at the chance and between Kath and I we got it confirmed.

“This is so exciting to have the ‘Queen Of Rock and Roll’ come to The Forum for this exclusive evening. This is the only screening with Suzi attending in the North-East so we really cannot wait.”

Suzi Q has been in production for five years and charts the professional career of the UK-based singer and actor. With unlimited access to Quatro and contributions from collaborators, family and those she has inspired, the film documents both her personal life and 53 years on the road.

Other stars featuring in the film include Alice Cooper, Deborah Harry, Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads), Joan Jett, Cherie Currie (The Runaways), Henry Winkler and KT Tunstall.

The Film Club has other special events lined up, including a screening of An American Werewolf in London on Monday, September 16.

It will be followed by a Q&A with former British actress, glamour model, adult actress, producer and writer Linzi Drew, who plays the part of Brenda Bristols.

Mr Watson said: “With Linzi Drew attending in September and another event to be announced for the latter part of the year, we’re very proud of what we’re doing and bringing to Darlington.”

  • Tickets for the Suzi Quatro event are priced £15, plus booking fee, but are selling fast. To book, visit: https://www.ticketweb.uk and search for 'Suzi Q'. Linzi Drew tickets, priced £10, are available from the same site, search for 'Werewolf'. More details on the Darlington Film Club Facebook page.