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Crescendo
Matt Catingub
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Benatar joins Pops for taste of the ’80s
Pat benatar's name is instantly recognizable to anyone who listened to the radio or watched MTV in the '80s. She's a gifted singer and one of the first to have her edgy, stylish music videos broadcast regularly on the fledgling cable channel. Her sounds and images, particularly the hard-hitting "Love is a Battlefield," have become part of American culture.
Symphony Pops
With Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo:
In concert: 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday
Place: Blaisdell Concert Hall
Tickets: $12 to $75
Call: 792-2000 or visit www.honolulusymphony.com.
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A pair of concerts this week will showcase Pat's powerful voice in a new setting, featuring our full orchestra in an exclusive world premiere: her all-new symphony pops show.
Appearing with Pat will be her husband and long-time musical partner, Neil Giraldo. Besides being a great guitarist, Neil is also a prolific producer and songwriter. He's worked with such talents as John Waite, The Del Lords and Rick Springfield. As one of Pat's strongest musical influences, Neil can be called a principal architect of the Benatar sound.
Pat has always stood out as a vocalist in the rock arena. She's got the talent, power and "pipes" to take on any musical style.
The '80s were years of change for popular music and recording artists. The birth of the music video, as well as the use of the synthesizer as a lead instrument, changed the face of music. Artists such as Pat became both TV and music stars, thanks to the music video.
With her first album, 1979's "In the Heat of the Night," Pat made a new road for women musicians. She had the tough exterior of an arena rocker, but her touching vocals were never drowned out by guitar, drums or synthesizers. Her songs were about heartbreak and relationships, as well as serious subjects such as child abuse. The music world had rarely seen a woman musician who could rock the house like Pat. It wasn't long before legions of new fans -- women and men -- pledged their allegiance to Pat Benatar.
Pat has won four Grammy Awards; six of her albums have been certified platinum and four have gone gold. In our concerts, you'll hear some chart-busting hits from those albums -- from "Heartbreaker" to "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" to "Shadows of the Night" to the classic ballad, "We Belong" -- and newer hits as well.
Pat, who lives on Maui with her family, still records and tours the world, experimenting with new styles, including R&B.
The Honolulu Symphony Pops with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will be the symphony rock show of the year, a journey back to the '80s and much, much more. See you in the audience!
Matt Catingub directs the Honolulu Symphony Pops. "Crescendo" appears on the Monday prior to each concert of the season to illuminate works to be performed. E-mail
suggestions@honolulusymphony.com.