Born in Long Beach, California and raised in Columbus, Nebraska, he was an aspiring studio musician and recording artist in the 1970s, releasing two singles and an album, Charley D. and Milo, on Epic Records. DuQuette has written numerous books on Western mystical traditions, including Freemasonry, Tarot, Qabalah, ceremonial magic, the Enochian magic of Dr. John Dee, and spirit evocation, Goetia. His autobiography, My Life with the Spirits, is a required text for two classes at DePaul University, Chicago. Many of DuQuette's books have been dedicated to analyzing and exploring the works of Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), an English occultist, author, poet and philosopher. DuQuette occasionally appears on radio and television as a guest expert on subjects involving the occult.