In Memoriam - James Caan

Rest in Peace

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo - Count Basie Theatre, Red Bank, NJ 7/3/2022

 New Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo played the Count Basie Theatre last night.

  First off, their induction is about 25 years overdo. Like her or not, to deny her importance and influence in the world of rock music is questionable.. From the late 70's to the mid 80's she had so many hit songs, and a truly remarkable voice.To be honest, I was not a huge Pat Benatar fan growing up.Although,  I loved her voice, and thought Neil  was a great guitarist. There were a few songs I really liked, Love is a Battlefield, Shadows of the Night, Anxiety, Sex as a Weapon, but was never a big fan. 

  My wife and I did see her do a few songs at Pleasure Island in Walt Disney World in 2000, but the crowd got a little too pushy so we only saw about 4, maybe 5 songs. 

  Our daughter is a fan so when we saw that they were playing The Count Basie, we know it would be a perfect Birthday gift.

   What an amazing concert. The songs, old and new, have held up incredibly well and Ms.Benatar's voice sounds like it has not aged a day since the 80's.

     The setlist included many of her hits, and there are many, and several deep cuts which fit in perfectly. 

     I also love the fact that the two of them have been together for over 43 years and married for 40 of them. It shows on stage and I wish them 140 more.

     I wish them long overdue congratulations on their induction into the rock hall and look forward to them returning to New Jersey.

     Opening the concert was singer songwriter Chris Trapper, who won the crowd over very quickly with his great songs, beautiful guitar playing and voice and his great sense of humor. Hope we are fortunate enough to see him again going forward.

     Here are the setlists; 

      Chris Trapper

      Into the Bright Light

      The Accident

      This Time

      F@#% It

      Skin

      Keg on My Coffin

    Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

    No You Don't

    I Need a Lover

    All Fired Up

    We Live For Love

    Strawberry Wine

    We Belong ( Pat & Neil only)

    In the Heat of the Night

    Promises in the Dark

    River of Love

    Purgatory

    Invincible

    Shadows of the Night

    Hell is For Children

    You Better Run

    Love is a Battlefield

 

   Helter Skelter(Beatles cover)

   Everybody Lay Down

   Heartbreaker / Ring of Fire(Johnny Cash cover)