Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo: 30th Anniversary Tour - Live July 2, 2009 - Hard Rock Live Seminole Casino Hollywood, Florida

In 1981 MTV started a new phase in music on television by being the first channel dedicated specifically to music videos. Though the station has changed quite dramatically over the years it was the first incarnation that will forever live fondly in the memories of those who were lucky enough to experience it. For those artists that embraced the new format the sky was the limit and their careers prospered accordingly. The mainstay artists at the beginning opitimized what would years later become legendary status: Michael Jackson, Def Leppard, Duran Duran, and one of the first true powerhouse women rock stars, Pat Benatar. Just a little tidbit for all you pop culture trivia buffs: Pat Benatar's video "You Better Run," was the second video played on MTV after The Buggles "Video Killed The Radio Star." Talk about a benchmark in music.

Born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski one can only wonder if Pat knew at an early age the path that lay before her. Her first release "In The Heat Of The Night," (1979) garned the smash hit "Heartbreaker." Her follow-up "Crimes Of Passion," was truly the release that established her as a viable superstar. Let's face it, she had the look. Sexy, tough, sometimes vulnerable but not often, Pat strut across the screen and stage in spandex to true rock tunes. There were no frilly dresses or self doubt in sight. Benatar was and still is a rock'n'roll woman to be reckoned with. Her 'take no prisoners' attitude seemed to seep from every move she made. The fact that she could sing, I mean really sing was the icing on the cake, operatic vocal pipes step on back, there's a new sheriff in town. The woman's got chops. Her heavy rotation of videos on MTV included "Heartbreaker," "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and "You Better Run." In 1982 Benatar married her guitarist and collaborator Neil Girardo. Over the years they continued to rock the establishment while topping the charts with "Shadows Of The Night," "Love Is A Battlefield," "We Belong," and a slue of others.

Fast forward to 2009, thirty years later, Benatar and Girardo have taken their Anniversary show on the road to sell out crowds across the country. Proving more times than not that some things like fine wine do indeed get better with age. Accompanied by Myron Grombacher on drums and Mick Mahan on bass, the band was tight and played like all rock bands should. No frills, just great and loud balls to the wall rock riffs. Making a stop this time in rainy South Florida at Hard Rock Live, the crowd though thoroughly over the rain, myself included was ready to be rocked and rolled. We were not disappointed. Hard Rock Live though a smaller venue as compared to arena sized rock has nearly perfect acoustic sound. It's a more intimate setting and depending on the staging of the band there really isn't a bad seat in the house. On this night Pat and Neil did what they did best: they put on one hell of a rock show. Kicking it off with "All Fired Up," the set list was full of hits, all crowd pleasers from the first note to the last. Commanding the stage like few artists can, woman or man, Benatar still has the same swagger she had thirty years ago. Okay, the spandex is gone and replaced by a black skirt and boots, Neil's (Spider) still sporting the tattoos and sleeveless shirt (you have to have tattoos to be a true rock guitarist - it's in the handbook) and blazing guitar riffs brought the crowd to its feet on more than one occasion. Though he did throw in a few piano bars now and again it was a nice touch and mixed up the set list well.

The bic lighters have been replaced by cell phone lights as per Benatar's request. I have to admit the moment was surreal and Neil led the crowd in a 'cell wave' to the music. You had to see it for yourself. Why do I suddenly feel rather old? Photos on this night were permitted by the band. So the flashbulbs were popping and the cell videos were rolling. The house rocked to "You Better Run," (Pat's finger pointing attitude still in tact - if you don't get what I'm talking about catch the video on her "Choice Cuts" DVD release) "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," "Love Is A Battlefield," "Heartbreaker," and "Shadows Of The Night." On a softer note, a bit of acoustic did find its way in as Neil accompanied Pat on bar stools center stage for "We Belong." A true highlight of the evening. If there were ever a great time to see Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo live this 30th Anniversary tour is it. Head bangers and teenagers of all ages welcome. Just prepare yourself to have a really good old time.