Her real name is Susan Schneider though she performs under
the name the “Space Lady.” She has also
been known as “Suzy Sounds.” Her mother
was a classically trained pianist and her father a violinist. She is originally
from Colorado though she began performing on street corners and in subway
stations in Boston in the 1980’s before moving her act to San Francisco. She began playing the accordion and singing
along but upgraded to a Casio keyboard in 1983.
Her then husband, Joel Dunsany, wrote her a song, Synthesize Me, to celebrate the change.
Her performances were considered odd and with a somewhat out
of this world feel, with her music taking on an ethereal feel. She was known for always wearing her silver
helmet, with white wings and red light on top, when she performed. Her repertoire consisted mostly of covers of
classic rock tunes, which she covered solo.
In 2000 she retired and returned to Colorado to care for her
aging mother and father.
Today, during my set, I’ll play the following mini set by
the Space Lady:
Born to be Wild
(Steppenwolf)
I Had Too Much to
Dream Last Night (The Electric Prunes)
20th
Century Fox (The Doors)
