Wed 7/20
5-7PM Meet & Greet at Jilly’s Music Room
8PM Pat Benatar Performance at Goodyear Theater
From the earliest days of her career, rock vocalist Pat Benatar was a big favorite in Cleveland. She released her debut album In the Heat of the Night in 1979, performing her first Cleveland show at the old Agora on East 24thStreet that November. She was a constant presence on WMMS as her star rose, lovingly dubbed “Miss Reet Petite” by Kid Leo, for her diminutive size that belied her powerful, classically trained voice.
That wasn’t her only connection to Cleveland. Shortly before recording her debut, she met Cleveland guitarist Neil Giraldo whom she married in 1982. He became a key part of her sound. He was soon co-producing her albums and writing or co-writing much of the material on them. In addition, Youngstown drummer Myron Grombacher played in her band for nearly two decades.
That Benatar and Giraldo are a team is highlighted by the fact that they will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year together. Sadly, the induction won’t take place in Cleveland. But you can hear them play at Akron’s Goodyear Theater this week.
Go here for more info and tickets.
And the talent doesn’t stop there. Neil Giraldo is also a musician, producer, film composer and now, bourbon impressario. He’s been experimenting with rhythmic disruption in the making of Bourbon to see if it creates a distinctive taste profile. His new bourbon is called Three Chord, and he’ll be offering a free bourbon tasting and meet & greet at Jilly’s Music Room from 5-7m, just prior to his performance with wife Pat Benatar at 8pm at the Goodyear Theater.
Get the details here.