In 1979, a song called “Heartbreaker” hit the airwaves and became a major hit for Pat Benatar. With that break, there was no looking back for the hard-rocking chick, and over the next 30-plus years, Benatar has been a force to reckon with in the music world. But it wasn’t always easy going for the little gal with the big voice from Long Island.In her memoir, “Between A Heart and A Rock Place,” Pat Benatar tells her life story with a refreshingly honest, sometimes brutal and often humorous outlook that will fascinate her fans as well as those interested in rock history.
From her childhood growing up in Lindenhurt, Long Island, New York, Benatar was discovered at a fairly young age as having the potential to become a promising singer. Her high school choir teacher took her under her wing and made sure Benatar received the classical training which provided her with the groundwork she would find herself benefiting from for years to come.
Benatar talks about her early disastrous marriage, about being discovered at the famous “Catch A Rising Star” club in New York, the whirlwind rise to fame that garnered her four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock Performance, and the pride in being the first female rocker to ever appear on MTV. (Her video for “You Better Run” was actually the second video to air on the fledgling new station when it debuted on August 1, 1981.)
She also shares with readers the struggles she faced getting her music presented like she wanted it, the constant battle with the record company executives who had different plans for her career, and how the powers-that-be nearly destroyed her relationship with guitarist Neil Giraldo, not to mention their young family.
But Benatar proved herself to be one tough cookie, and if survival is the name of the game in the music business, she had what it take to succeed. With her loyal legion of fans, she would go on to sell out arenas all over the world, and secure a place for herself in rock and roll history.
“Between A Heart and A Rock Place” is a fascinating memoir of Benatar’s life, but it can also been seen as a great learning tool for aspiring young female singers wanting to break into the big, bad world of rock music. Sharing her ups and downs, Benatar has wise lessons to be learned, all the student has to do is take a little piece of her heart, and remember that love is a battlefield – and they’ll be set to hit them with their best shot.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my opinion.
