Here’s Why Leather Tuscadero (Pinky’s Sister) Vanished from ‘Happy Days’

Musician Sui Quatro now and then composite — Paul Kane/Getty Images; ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

If you are a fan of the classic television series Happy Days, it’s hard to forget the Tuscadero sisters, Pinky (Roz Kelly) and Leather (Suzi Quatro). Pinky was introduced during the first three episodes of Season 4 of Happy Days and was billed as the world’s greatest female cyclist; her sister, Leather, debuted the following season.

Pinky was almost as cool as Fonzie (Henry Winkler), so it only made sense that they would end up being attracted to each other. At first, the two seemed like they were a match made in heaven. However, after those first three episodes, Pinky got on her bike, rode off into the sunset and never returned.

But here’s the deal: The character was popular. People liked Pinky, and the show’s producers wanted to take advantage of that. So, during the fifth season, they introduced a new character played by Suzi Quatro, a U.S. musician who’d been burning up the charts internationally since 1973.

HAPPY DAYS, Suzi Quatro, Henry Winkler, 'Fonzie: Rock Entrepreneur, Pt. I & II' (Season 5), 1974-84

Everett Collection

Suzi’s character was named Leather Tuscadero, the younger sister of Pinky. Like Suzi, Leather was a musician who played in a group called Leather and the Suedes; over the course of the next couple of seasons, Leather would make seven appearances on the show. And then, just like Pinky, Leather would disappear as well, which disappointed viewers because Leather had become quite popular.

Suzi’s final appearance was a memorable one. The episode, which aired during the sixth season, is titled “Marion: Fairy Godmother” and, when the episode is over, viewers are given every reason to believe that Leather and Ralph Malph (Don Most) are going to be a thing.

HAPPY DAYS, Ron Howard, Suzi Quatro, Anson Williams, 'Rules To Date By' Season 5), 1974-84

Everett Collection

What makes things even more interesting is that Leather’s popularity with viewers was not lost on Garry Marshall, and he offered to put her in her very own spinoff. But Suzi, who was concerned about being typecast, passed on the offer and doubled down on her music career. Looking back now, it would be hard to say that she made the wrong decision.

While Suzi only had one major hit in the United States with “Stumblin’ In,” a duet that she recorded with Chris Norman from the band Smokie, she had numerous other chart toppers all over the world during the 70s — hits that have afforded her the ability to perform live for the next four decades.

Additionally, Suzi’s career led to her induction into the Michigan Rock & Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2010. Three years later, Suzi would be honored with the Woman of Valor award from the organization Musicians for Equal Opportunities for Women (MEOW). That award was presented by Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s, who cited Suzi as a major influence in her musical career in her 2020 autobiography All I Ever Wanted. Other artists who have acknowledged Suzi’s impact on them include Tina Weymouth from Talking Heads and Joan Jett.