Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar - Singer-songwriter, Family and Childhood

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Pat Benatar's Personal Details

Pat Benatar is an American singer and rock sensation who has bagged four consecutive Grammy Awards

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 10, 1953
NationalityAmerican
FamousJuilliard School, Musicians, Singers, Rock Singers, Singer-songwriter
City/StateNew Yorkers
SpousesDennis Benatar, Neil Giraldo
Known asPatricia Mae Andrzejewsk, Patti
Universities
  • Juilliard School
  • Daniel Street Elementary School
  • Lindenhurst Senior High School
  • State University of New York at Stony Brook
Notable Alumnis
  • Juilliard School
Birth PlaceBrooklyn, New York, U.S
Height152
GenderFemale
FatherAndrew
MotherMildred
Net Worth$32 Million as of Jan 15,2017
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inBrooklyn, New York, U.S
Famous asSinger-songwriter, Musician

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Pat Benatar's photo

Who is Pat Benatar?

A rock sensation, Pat Benatar has gained a cult status in the rock-n-roll music industry. Four times Grammy award winner with six platinum and four gold albums to her credit, she created a rage among the audience with her impeccable talent and soulful renditions. Interestingly, this artistically endowed rock superstar had once musical abilities that were limited to classical and theatrical. It was Neil Giraldo’s, her future husband, aggressive playing technique that helped her unleash the inner rock star from within. Benatar’s moment to fame came when she performed for the comedy club, Catch A Rising Star. Her outstanding abilities and octave voice earned her a record deal with the Chrysalis Records and what followed was a history in making. Right from her debut album, she gave hits after hits, thus winning four consecutive Grammy Awards from 1980 to 1983. Additionally, she was nominated four more times during the 1980s.

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Childhood & Early Life

Pat Benatar was born as Patricia Mae Andrzejewski to a Polish father, Andrew and Irish mother, Mildred. While her father was a sheet metal worker, he mother worked as a beautician.

From an early age, she developed a fantasy for fine arts, especially theatre. She even attained voice lessons to mould her voice quality.

It was at the age of eight that she gave her first solo performance at Daniel Street Elementary School.

Her involvement with theatre and singing heightened when she got admission at the Linderhurst Senior High School. She not only took part in the musical theatre, but was also seen marching and performing solo.

Since she spent most of her growing up years in Manhattan, her musical talent was limited to classical and theatrical. She had very little knowledge about the rock scene.

Destined to take up a classical career, she surprized her parents, friends and teachers by opting out of the same to take up health education at the State University in New York. However, she did not continue in the same for long and dropped out after a year.

Career

Post marriage, she relocated to Virginia along with her soldier husband. Meanwhile, she took up the role of a bank teller and housewife. However, the profile did not suit her taste and in 1973, she quit the same.

Pursuing her singing career, she bagged the job of a singing waitress at The Roaring Twenties, a night club. Next she got a gig for singing at a lounge band Coxon’s Army, which was a regular at various happening clubs of the city.

In 1974, she came up with her first and only single of this period, ‘Day Gig’ which was locally released in Richmond. The song was written and produced by Phil Coxon, the leader of the band.

It was in the following year that she earned her big break at an amateur night at a comedy club, Catch A Rising Star in New York. Her version of Judy Garland’s ‘Rock-a-Bye Your Baby’ was appreciated so much so that she received a call back.

The same year, she received the role of Zephyr in Harry Chapin's futuristic rock musical, The Zinger. The first performance was scheduled to take place at the Performing Art’s Foundation Playhouse in Huntington Station, Long Island.

Shifting base to New York, she became a regular at the comedy club, Catch A Rising Star for three years. She earned her first standing ovation at the Halloween night in 1977. Dressed as a cat woman of the moon, she gave a scintillating performance at the comedy club.

Her increasing popularity and singing acumen earned her offers to record commercial jingles for Pepsi Cola and regional concerns. Her four-day performance at the New York City’s Tramps nightclub was much appreciated and revered, making headlines.

Her impressive performance and outstanding singing talent earned her a contract with the Chrysalis Records in 1977. Immediately thereafter, she met Neil Geraldo, a hard-charging rock guitarist whose licks gave her the exact sound she'd been looking for.

In 1979, she released her debut album, ‘In The Heat of the Night’ with assistance from Geraldo. The album became a major hit with two of its singles, ‘Heartbroken’ and ‘I Need a Lover’ being astronomically successful. The album reached a multi-platinum status.

The ravishing success of her debut album led her to release her next Grammy award winning album, ‘Crimes of Passion’ in 1980. The album instantly zoomed to become platinum, thus cementing her position as a rock singer. The singles, ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, ‘Treat me Right’ and ‘You Better Run’ were major blockbusters.

Banking on the success of her first two albums, she released ‘Precious Time’ - her third offering in August 1981. It replicated the success of its predecessors by topping the charts, thus becoming her third album to do so. It exceeded platinum status with the singles, ‘Fire and Ice’ and ‘Promises in the Dark’ being major hits.

Year 1982 witnessed the release of her fourth album, ‘Get Nervous’. The album peaked at the number 4 status, selling over a million copies. Its single ‘Shadow of the Night’ was a major hit.

In 1983, she released her first performance album, ‘Live From Earth’. While the single, ‘Love Is A Battlefield’ escalated to the number 5th position on the charts, the album slowly moved up the rank to remain at number 13.

In 1985, she released two albums, ‘Tropico’ and ‘Seven The Hard Way’. While the former reached the number 14 status at the US charts, the latter was stocked up at the number 26 position.

In 1987, she came up with her first compilation album titled, ‘Best Shots’ which was released in UK. The album reached the number 6 position on the UK charts and soon became a best-seller. Two years later, the album is released in US gaining gold status.

‘True Love’, a blues-oriented album, released in 1991 and marked her first release for the decade of 1990s. The album was well appreciated and received and gained a gold status.

Redefining her style and sound, in 1993, she came up with yet another release, ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’. The album was followed up by the 1994 released album, ‘All Fired Up: The Very Best of Pat Benatar. It was a compilation album and featured the best of her songs.

In 1995, she went for her first major tour of the US. She also took her band to Japan and Australia. The overwhelming response from the tour inspired her to tour regularly.

In 1997, she signed a deal with a new record company, CMC International and released her brand new album, ‘Innamorata’. Following the release, she toured extensively promoting her album. Though the album was well-received, it struggled to match the standards set by her earlier works.

Following five years of gap during which she came up with an album of live recordings and a compilation, she released an original and new album titled ‘Go’ in 2003. It is her last released original album till date.

Awards & Achievements

In the decade of 1980s, she was nominated eight times in the category of Best Female Rock Performance of which she won four consecutive Grammy awards for the album ‘Crimes of Passion’, and the songs ‘Fire and Ice’, ‘Shadows of the Night’ and ‘Love is a Battlefield’.

In addition to her eight nominations in the category of Best Female Rock Performance, she earned two more nominations in the categories, ‘Best Pop Vocal Performance’ in 1984 and ‘Best Rock Vocal Performance, Duo or Group’ in 1986.

Other than Grammy awards, she is the proud recipient of three American Music Awards: Favorite Female Pop/Rock Vocalist of 1981 and 1983, and Favorite Female Pop/Rock Video Artist of 1985

In 2008, she was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at the Second Induction Award Ceremony and Fundraising Gala.

Personal Life & Legacy

She dropped out of the State University in New York after a year of studies to marry her high-school love interest, Dennis Benatar, an army draftee who served with the Army Security Agency at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. In 1979, the couple separated from each other eventually leading to divorce.

Post her divorce from Dennis Benatar, she committed herself to Neil Giraldo, a guitarist and producer. The two went into the wedlock on February 20, 1982. The couple has been blessed with two children - both daughters.

In 2010, she came up with her autobiography titled Between a Heart and a Rock Place, which gave a detailed account of her life and success in the music industry.

Trivia

This female rock sensation of the ‘Love is a Battlefield’ fame gave up on singing, to work as a bank teller and housewife in her early life.

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Pat Benatar biography timelines

  • // 10th Jan 1953
    Pat Benatar was born as Patricia Mae Andrzejewski to a Polish father, Andrew and Irish mother, Mildred. While her father was a sheet metal worker, he mother worked as a beautician.
  • // 1972 To 1979
    She dropped out of the State University in New York after a year of studies to marry her high-school love interest, Dennis Benatar, an army draftee who served with the Army Security Agency at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. In 1979, the couple separated from each other eventually leading to divorce.
  • // 1973
    Post marriage, she relocated to Virginia along with her soldier husband. Meanwhile, she took up the role of a bank teller and housewife. However, the profile did not suit her taste and in 1973, she quit the same.
  • // 1974
    In 1974, she came up with her first and only single of this period, ‘Day Gig’ which was locally released in Richmond. The song was written and produced by Phil Coxon, the leader of the band.
  • // 1975
    It was in the following year that she earned her big break at an amateur night at a comedy club, Catch A Rising Star in New York. Her version of Judy Garland’s ‘Rock-a-Bye Your Baby’ was appreciated so much so that she received a call back.
  • // 1977
    Shifting base to New York, she became a regular at the comedy club, Catch A Rising Star for three years. She earned her first standing ovation at the Halloween night in 1977. Dressed as a cat woman of the moon, she gave a scintillating performance at the comedy club.
  • // 1977
    Her impressive performance and outstanding singing talent earned her a contract with the Chrysalis Records in 1977. Immediately thereafter, she met Neil Geraldo, a hard-charging rock guitarist whose licks gave her the exact sound she'd been looking for.
  • // 1979
    In 1979, she released her debut album, ‘In The Heat of the Night’ with assistance from Geraldo. The album became a major hit with two of its singles, ‘Heartbroken’ and ‘I Need a Lover’ being astronomically successful. The album reached a multi-platinum status.
  • // 1980
    The ravishing success of her debut album led her to release her next Grammy award winning album, ‘Crimes of Passion’ in 1980. The album instantly zoomed to become platinum, thus cementing her position as a rock singer. The singles, ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, ‘Treat me Right’ and ‘You Better Run’ were major blockbusters.
  • // 1980
    In the decade of 1980s, she was nominated eight times in the category of Best Female Rock Performance of which she won four consecutive Grammy awards for the album ‘Crimes of Passion’, and the songs ‘Fire and Ice’, ‘Shadows of the Night’ and ‘Love is a Battlefield’.
  • // 1981 To 1983
    Other than Grammy awards, she is the proud recipient of three American Music Awards: Favorite Female Pop/Rock Vocalist of 1981 and 1983, and Favorite Female Pop/Rock Video Artist of 1985
  • // 1982
    Year 1982 witnessed the release of her fourth album, ‘Get Nervous’. The album peaked at the number 4 status, selling over a million copies. Its single ‘Shadow of the Night’ was a major hit.
  • // 20th Feb 1982
    Post her divorce from Dennis Benatar, she committed herself to Neil Giraldo, a guitarist and producer. The two went into the wedlock on February 20, 1982. The couple has been blessed with two children - both daughters.
  • // 1983
    In 1983, she released her first performance album, ‘Live From Earth’. While the single, ‘Love Is A Battlefield’ escalated to the number 5th position on the charts, the album slowly moved up the rank to remain at number 13.
  • // 1984 To 1986
    In addition to her eight nominations in the category of Best Female Rock Performance, she earned two more nominations in the categories, ‘Best Pop Vocal Performance’ in 1984 and ‘Best Rock Vocal Performance, Duo or Group’ in 1986.
  • // 1985
    In 1985, she released two albums, ‘Tropico’ and ‘Seven The Hard Way’. While the former reached the number 14 status at the US charts, the latter was stocked up at the number 26 position.
  • // 1987
    In 1987, she came up with her first compilation album titled, ‘Best Shots’ which was released in UK. The album reached the number 6 position on the UK charts and soon became a best-seller. Two years later, the album is released in US gaining gold status.
  • // 1991
    ‘True Love’, a blues-oriented album, released in 1991 and marked her first release for the decade of 1990s. The album was well appreciated and received and gained a gold status.
  • // 1993
    Redefining her style and sound, in 1993, she came up with yet another release, ‘Gravity’s Rainbow’. The album was followed up by the 1994 released album, ‘All Fired Up: The Very Best of Pat Benatar. It was a compilation album and featured the best of her songs.
  • // 1995
    In 1995, she went for her first major tour of the US. She also took her band to Japan and Australia. The overwhelming response from the tour inspired her to tour regularly.
  • // 1997
    In 1997, she signed a deal with a new record company, CMC International and released her brand new album, ‘Innamorata’. Following the release, she toured extensively promoting her album. Though the album was well-received, it struggled to match the standards set by her earlier works.
  • // 2003
    Following five years of gap during which she came up with an album of live recordings and a compilation, she released an original and new album titled ‘Go’ in 2003. It is her last released original album till date.
  • // 2008
    In 2008, she was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at the Second Induction Award Ceremony and Fundraising Gala.
  • // 2010
    In 2010, she came up with her autobiography titled Between a Heart and a Rock Place, which gave a detailed account of her life and success in the music industry.

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Pat Benatar's FAQ

  • What is Pat Benatar birthday?

    Pat Benatar was born at 1953-01-10

  • Where is Pat Benatar's birth place?

    Pat Benatar was born in Brooklyn, New York, U.S

  • What is Pat Benatar nationalities?

    Pat Benatar's nationalities is American

  • Who is Pat Benatar spouses?

    Pat Benatar's spouses is Dennis Benatar, Neil Giraldo

  • What was Pat Benatar universities?

    Pat Benatar studied at Juilliard School, Daniel Street Elementary School, Lindenhurst Senior High School, State University of New York at Stony Brook

  • What was Pat Benatar notable alumnis?

    Pat Benatar's notable alumnis is Juilliard School

  • How tall is Pat Benatar?

    Pat Benatar's height is 152

  • Who is Pat Benatar's father?

    Pat Benatar's father is Andrew

  • Who is Pat Benatar's mother?

    Pat Benatar's mother is Mildred

  • What is Pat Benatar's sun sign?

    Pat Benatar is Capricorn

  • How famous is Pat Benatar?

    Pat Benatar is famouse as Singer-songwriter, Musician