Pat Benatar – Between a Heart and a Rock Place

Between a Heart and a Rock Place

Pat Benatar Pens Her Memoirs

Michael Holloway

On June 15, 2010, Pat Benatar, an inspirational music legend and a pioneer for women’s progressive rock, released her memoirs, “Between a Heart and a Rock Place.” It blows the lid sky high about the rampant sexism of moguls in the music business, and gives a scathing account of the struggle that female musicians have endured to achieve respect and fame in a “man’s world”.

No Tarting

Benatar was born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski on January 10, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. Her rise to success began on October 31, 1977 when she arrived late for a gig because of a Halloween party and went on stage in her gothic costume. The audience erupted into a passionate frenzy. Benatar later confessed that she wished women musicians could be taken seriously without having to tart it up.

Benatar’s strength as a musician comes from her determination to live her life and forge her legacy on her own terms, and if people have a problem with that, they can stay the hell out of her damn way.

Sugar and Spice

Her memoirs do not dwell solely on the sordid and often clichéd “sex, drugs, and rock and roll” theme. In fact, Benatar states, “Mine is one of the only stories that doesn’t involve at least one trip to rehab.” In her book, Benatar mixes sweetness with spice. She speaks of the love she has felt for two special men in her life—her first husband Dennis Benatar, and her second, Neil Giraldo, with whom she has collaborated on great inspirational songs.

A Really Good Read

As one book reviewer states, “Fans will definitely love every page of this book, but I think it is also just a REALLY good read for anyone. A fascinating and beautiful tale of a woman who not only changed music, but stayed true to herself, kept her amazing vocal talent intact, and is an absolutely beautiful and inspiring human being.”