SUZI Quatro has revealed how her first husband, and the father of her children, has Alzheimer’s and that she’s now in charge of his finances.
The American rock star, 75, who is now married to her second husband Rainer Hass, revealed the sad news whilst speaking to Kaye Adams.
Michigan-born Suzi, who is credited with helping women break into the world of rock and roll music, opened up on the Loose Women star’s podcast, How To be 60.
In a candid interview, the singer talked about how her first husband Len Tuckey is battling Alzheimer’s Disease.
Suzi married Len, who was her long-time guitarist, in 1976, but they divorced in 1992.
During their relationship they had two children together, Laura, 44, and Richard, 42.
Speaking to Kaye’s podcast, Suzi, who is now married to her second husband Rainer who she wed in 1993, talked about the breakdown of her first marriage to Len.
She then talked about how despite their divorce they remained good friends, and how she became his “power of attorney” because of his Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Suzi made the admission when she talked about when she decided to leave Len, and how she came about that decision.
“When I did leave, I was sure. I wasn’t doubting. I was sure that it’s time to go,” she revealed to Kaye.
“So I gave it the six years to turn it around. You know, that’s fair.
“You got two kids together, you know. Don’t break it up if you don’t need to. I really tried, but I can’t lie to myself. Nobody can lie to themselves.”
Continuing Suzi said: “I remember saying to him one time during Andy Get Your Gun, actually when that had finished, so it would have been 87, I remember we were sitting in the room here talking. And I said to him, ‘Do you realise how far away you’ve let me go?’
“So I gave him hints along the way, many, many hints, but he didn’t take them.
“And I’m his executor and power of attorney, so we’re still close.
“And he lives in my son’s house because he’s got Alzheimer’s.”
American singer-songwriter Suzi shot to fame in the 70s as the first female bass player to became a major rock star.
The star is known for singles like Can the Can and Your Mamma Won’t Like Me, and has sold more than 50 million albums.
She is credited with helping women become part of the rock and roll era.
Speaking about this, Suzi once told the Metro Times: “Before I did what I did, we didn’t have a place in rock ‘n’ roll.
What are the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
IN the early stages, the main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory lapses.
For example, someone may:
- forget about recent conversations or events
- misplace items
- forget the names of places and objects
- have trouble thinking of the right word
- ask questions repetitively
- show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
- become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
There are often also signs of mood changes, such as increasing anxiety or agitation, or periods of confusion.
And trouble with language, thinking and reasoning difficulties, and a shift in how things are seen and heard are also common.
Source: The NHS
“Not really. You had your Grace Slick and all that, but that’s not what I did. I was the first to be taken seriously as a female rock ‘n’ roll musician and singer.
“That hadn’t been done before. I played the boys at their own game.
“For everybody that came afterward, it was a little bit easier, which is good.
“I’m proud of that. If I have a legacy, that’s what it is. It’s nothing I take lightly. It was gonna happen sooner or later.”
Over the years Suzi has also dabbled in acting, and was famously on Happy Days.