Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo

Born in Brooklyn N.Y., Patricia Mae Andzejewski, of Polish and Catholic background moved to Long Island shortly after her birth. At 5 feet 0 Inches, Pat Benatar can belt out songs. As a trained operetta, and at 68 years old, Benatar is still a rock and roll force as she proved tonight at the bucolic Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey.

Opening with "All Fired Up" and listening to her and the four piece band I was a little concerned; the song was flat and underwhelming. The nights second song: "We Live for Love" was more upbeat but not quite up to ones expectations of Benatar. It was after this song that she gave a heartfelt talk and let the audience know that she was glad to be back on the road after eighteen months home and that she was not feeling well and that she did not want to cancel this evenings performance. Informing us that the band would be making some adjustments and that she would work as hard and as long as she could.

Dedicating the third song to getting rid of Covid, she belted out "Invisible" and Benatar began to hit her stride. By the time she sung the bands fifth song "We Belong", it was the old familiar Benatar in concert... ripping notes to shreds and with her famous hip wiggle had the crowd wanting more.

Pat Benatar came on the Pop, Pop/Rock and Rock and Roll scene in 1979 with her debut album In the Heat of the Night". Two singles were hits on the album: "Heartbreaker" and "We Live for Love". Her 1980 second album: "Crimes of Passion" was her most successful album peaking at number 2 in North America and France. Its single "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" reached the top 10 (more than that it established Benatar as a certified rocker). Her 1981 album, "Precious Time" was another success topping the U.S. album chart. Her less successful "Get Nervous" in 1982 sold less than here previous albums but still had a huge hit with "Shadows of the Night". Her 1983 "Love is a Battlefield" was her biggest hit in most Countries and hit number 5 on the U.S. Hot 100 as did "We Belong" the next year.

Pat Benatar has released 11 albums, most of which have been successful. After marrying her high school sweet heart in 1972, she divorced in 1979. She married her second husband, Neil (Spider), Giraldo in 1982 and have been married ever since.

Benatar performed "We Belong" for the evenings sixth song, by then, her and the band were tighter than they had been all evening. Songs that have been the bands staples soon followed: "Hell is for Children"; "You Better Run"; "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" and "Love is a Battlefield". Two times during the evening the band yielded to Giraldo playing the piano with Benatar sitting by his side; "After the Fall" (which will be featured in their up coming Broadway show) and "We Belong". The later song was sung slower, more melodic, I think because she was under the weather and this gave her respite for what was other wise a standing and plugged concert.

In the great Mayo Center, Benatar came out with a long sweater and bell bottom pants, looking every bit the rocker, Benatar, at 68 still shows her fans why she still has one of the greatest voices in rock.

Rave reviews for "Six" which opened last night at The Brooks Atkinson Theatre. My review was posted on Vocal as well as with Metropolitan Magazine and My Life Publications. The review will further be published in Times Square Chronicles once the magazine itself publishes its own review. "Six" was critically acclaimed by most critics.

Gimme Shelter Productions LLC.

Robert Massimi writes for: Metropolitan Magazine, Nimbus Magazine and My Life Publications and submitted articles to: National Review. A Member of The Dramatists Guild and the Drama League.