Michael Quatro (born 12 June 1943, Detroit, Michigan, USA)[citation needed] is a keyboard player and songwriter who has released eleven albums since 1972. [1] He specializes in keyboard-driven progressive rock.[2]
Quatro's music gained popularity in Detroit, Michigan, where he was popular in clubs[1] and received airplay on FM radio. Quatro's 1972 album Paintings contains the single "Circus (What I Am)", which reached No. 8 on Billboard Magazine's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and No. 91 on the Cash Box Top 100 Singles chart. He has sold 20 million records worldwide. Ted Nugent played guitar on one track on his second album, while his third album featured Rick Derringer on guitar and Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan from The Turtles.[2]
Quatro is an independent entertainment executive and the older brother of musician Suzi Quatro. When record producer Mickie Most was in Detroit, Quatro persuaded him to see Cradle featuring his sisters Suzi, Patti, Arlene and Nancy. Most waited for Cradle to break up before signing Suzi as a solo act.[3]: 76–79 As a result, she became the first female bass player to become a major rock star.[4]: 2 [5]