What Are You Listening to Right Now?

I'm back from a little vacation. Well, sort of. It seems like it anyway. I meant to post more the past couple of weeks, but life got a little busier in other areas.

First of all, Hurricane Sandy disrupted things a bit, with my power going out on a few occasions. But I feel very fortunate, considering what the people of  New Jersey, New York City, and other parts of the East coast are going through. Let's keep all of them in our thoughts and prayers, and think about just how lucky we really are.

Also, I've been doing some freelance writing on the side, which has taken up some of my time. One of the articles I wrote happened to be a preview of a Pat Benatar concert. I actually interviewed her husband and lead guitarist, Neil "Spyder" Giraldo by phone. I was not able to meet them unfortunately, but I attended the show. It was awesome! They put on an outstanding performance - very lively and energetic. Probably the most fun I've ever had at a live show, and that's saying something.

When I go to a concert, I usually like to listen to the artist's music at least a week before the show. In this case, I already had Benatar's greatest hits, which I purchased almost a year and a half ago. I rocked to Benatar's music all the way to the concert, experienced it live for the first time, and now can't get it out of my head.

Benatar's music is iconic for fans who remember the early days of MTV. I grew up with it, watching all of those cool videos. Remember Benatar's video for "You Better Run" off her 1980 album "Crimes of Passion"? It was the second video to be played on MTV when the network debuted in August 1981. "Love is a Battlefield" in 1983 is probably the most memorable of all. But the videos for me today are just something extra. It's more about the music, and Benatar and Giraldo certainly have a passion for creating music, as their extremely successful collaboration for over thirty years can attest to.

This duo has created a music style all its own, and there seems to be no end in sight. Besides being outstanding musicians and performers, Benatar and Giraldo are both very nice, down-to-earth people. They are both very modest about their accomplishments and really care about and appreciate their fans. In the music business, or perhaps the entertainment world in general, they are very rare indeed. They are great role models for young people starting out in music, and I'm very proud to say that I saw them live in concert. I will see them over and over if I have the opportunity in the future, and I hope I have the opportunity to actually meet them someday.

Here's the link to my concert preview with the Centre Daily Times, along with some concert photos. Hope you enjoy them! Let me know what you think. I'd like to hear your feedback.

http://www.centredaily.com/2012/11/02/3389411/pat-benatar-neil-giraldo-take.html

 

And also for your listening and viewing enjoyment.......a couple blasts from the past.

Take care!