'It's always such a fun show; it's a great, great audience'

√ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame duo to perform July 24 as part of special 50^th anniversary celebration

Part I of II

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

When it comes to having a good time on stage, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo have two very different definitions.

“You know, my husband especially loves” performing outdoors, Benatar said, “because he doesn't care if he's sweating. He doesn't care if there's bugs on him – that kind of thing. I mean, he just wants to be outside like a dog! (laughs) I'm looking for a little air conditioning myself.”

“Well, you know what it is? It's being in the elements. I love that,” Giraldo said. “I love wind. I love sweat. And I love every bit of it. I just always have. I mean, I don't care if it rains and I'm out there. I just like the elements.”

He added, “I know that Patricia don't like the outdoors, because she don't like sweating and her makeup running and all that, but me, I don't have any of that, you see! So, I like it.”

In all seriousness, Benatar said, “It is magical, the night, especially if the moon is out or as the sky is clear and you can see stars. I mean, for us, it's the same as for you all when you're out there. You're looking up and you're seeing everything and it's amazing. And then, sometimes, you get to be in a beautiful rainstorm and you're performing in the rain, and it's just all the elements are making it even more special.”

Giraldo said performing outdoors oftentimes creates a bonding experience with fans.

“Yeah, no question,” he said. “I mean, would they prefer it not rain? Of course. But, if it rains, the ponchos come out, they all are enjoying it.”

Such a shared moment, Giraldo added, is key to playing live: “The connectivity with the audience – that's what you're doing it for. Or else, sit at home and listen to music at home.”

Neil Giraldo and Pat Benatar photos by Travis Shinn // courtesy of High Rise PR

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Benatar and Giraldo will perform at Artpark on Wednesday, July 24, as part of the 50th anniversary season celebration. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show. Special guest The Vindys will provide support. For tickets or more information, visit www.artpark.net.

Artpark & Company Interim President Dave Wedekindt said, “Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are one of rock’s true power couples. They still perform at a high level and make every show unforgettable. They’ve also greatly enjoyed performing at Artpark over the years and are excited to return for our birthday celebration."

“We can't wait to see y'all,” Benatar said.

Benatar and Giraldo, of course, have a slew of hit songs: “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “We Belong,” “Invincible,” “Treat Me Right,” “Fire and Ice,” “Shadows of the Night,” “Heartbreaker.”

That said, Giraldo explained the live show is “a combination of a little bit from every record, so to speak. We actually went back to 1979. We're doing four songs from that first record; it's pretty amazing.

“We span the whole catalog. Sometimes, we change out songs; we put different ones in. We like to play things we have never played before. But still put in the things that you know, like ‘Battlefield,’ ‘Heartbreaker,’ all that stuff. So, it's going to be a combination of all that.”

Benatar said, “The greatest part about doing this for so long is that you are at a place in your life where it all has to be fun, or there's no point. You know, you've done everything; you don't need any more money. It's not about that. You've done enough playing in your entire life. It's good. So, if you're going to go out there and play, you're going out there for the original reasons you went out – because you love it; and because it's fun – and it's still like that.

“I'm so grateful. Neil, too. We get out there and every day is a new day for me. I mean, I’ve sung some of these songs for 45 years, but sometimes, some of them, it doesn't matter at all. It's like the first day every time. So, you just have to be really grateful that that happens, and it's a new audience every night.

“The way that they're feeling, the way you're feeling, the point is we're having a great time.

“And it's really short (tour). This is like a soundcheck; it's six weeks. We usually go out for three or four months. You know that it's going to be over soon, so you're putting everything into it every single time you go out, because it's going to be over fast.”

While concertgoers will be reminiscing about Artpark at this concert event, Benatar will spend some time reflecting, too – particularly on audience makeup. That is to say, she realizes – and relishes – her crowds are now comprised of generations of fans.

“It's probably the thing that you just can't wrap your head around the most,” she said.

Benatar explained, “For me, understanding that the people that are there, that were 17 and 18 when the first record came out, are now in their 60s, or 50s, whatever, now; and then their kids are there, and they started bringing their kids when they were 12. So, now their kids are 30. And then, they're bringing their kids, and it’s the original people's grandchildren that they're bringing; they’re 15.

“That part is really very overwhelming because, to be able to know that you were able to touch people's lives in all generations of their families like that, is amazing – and something that never occurred to you at 26. … It's just a part that is really wonderful and just hard to grasp.”

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are online at https://www.benatargiraldo.com.

See also >> Local leaders congratulate Artpark on 50th anniversary season; photos from recent years