Births on January 10

Pat Benatar, American singer-songwriter

Patricia Mae Giraldo, professionally known as Pat Benatar (née Andrzejewski; born January 10, 1953), is an iconic American rock singer and songwriter celebrated for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocal range and trailblazing presence in the music industry. Her illustrious career boasts impressive commercial success globally, with over 35 million albums sold worldwide.

Within the United States alone, Benatar has achieved remarkable milestones, including two multi-platinum albums and five platinum albums, signifying millions of units sold as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her consistent presence on the charts is evident with 15 singles reaching the Top 40 of the Billboard charts. In Canada, her success was even more pronounced, marked by an extraordinary run of eight consecutive platinum-certified albums. Beyond sales, Pat Benatar is also a highly acclaimed artist, having won four prestigious Grammy Awards, primarily for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, underscoring her dominance in the rock genre during the early 1980s.

Early Career and Chart Dominance

Benatar's meteoric rise began with her 1979 debut album, In the Heat of the Night. This album marked her significant breakthrough in North America, particularly in Canada where it soared to an impressive number 3 on the album chart. The album yielded two enduring hit singles: "Heartbreaker," which quickly became a foundational rock anthem and a staple of her live shows, and "We Live for Love," a more melodic track notably written by her lead guitarist and future husband, Neil Giraldo. The musical synergy between Benatar's vocal prowess and Giraldo's distinctive guitar work became a hallmark of her sound.

Her second album, 1980's Crimes of Passion, cemented her status as a global rock force and remains her most commercially successful work to date. It peaked at number 2 in both North America and France, achieving quadruple-platinum certification in the U.S. and an astounding five-times platinum in Canada. The album’s lead single, "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," became an instant classic, reaching the top 10 in both the U.S. and Canada and is widely recognized as her signature song, frequently featured in popular culture and sports arenas.

The success continued with Benatar's third album, Precious Time (1981), which further solidified her commercial appeal by topping the highly competitive U.S. Album Chart. This release also marked her first album to enter the top 10 in Australia. Its standout single, "Fire and Ice," not only charted highly in the U.S. and Canada but also earned Pat Benatar one of her Grammy Awards for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. While her subsequent release, Get Nervous (1982), saw slightly less commercial success compared to its multi-platinum predecessors, it nonetheless included the North American hit "Shadows of the Night," demonstrating her continued ability to produce chart-friendly tracks.

Evolution of Sound and Global Hits

By 1983, Pat Benatar's sound began to evolve, incorporating more atmospheric pop elements while retaining her rock edge. This shift was profoundly showcased by the single "Love Is a Battlefield" (1983), a powerful anthem penned by renowned songwriters Holly Knight and Mike Chapman. This track became her biggest international hit, topping the charts in the Netherlands, Australia, and on the U.S. Rock Tracks chart, while reaching number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its iconic, story-driven music video became an MTV staple, further amplifying its reach and solidifying its place in 80s pop culture. "Love Is a Battlefield" also garnered Benatar another Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.

The single was featured on her acclaimed live album, Live from Earth, which became her best-selling album in Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands, a testament to her captivating live performances. In 1984, Benatar released Tropico, an album that continued her exploration of a more expansive sound. Its lead single, "We Belong," a heartfelt power ballad, became another global success, reaching the top 10 in several countries, including a peak position of number 5 on the U.S. Hot 100.

Later Works and Enduring Legacy

Pat Benatar's 1985 album, Seven the Hard Way, while selling less than her earlier blockbusters, still yielded two significant singles that harked back to her signature rock vein. These included "Invincible," another powerful track co-written by Holly Knight and Simon Climie, which was a top 10 hit in North America and famously served as the theme song for the film The Legend of Billie Jean. The album also featured the track "Sex as a Weapon."

Her follow-up, Wide Awake in Dreamland (1988), marked a notable resurgence in sales, particularly in Canada and Australia, and notably became her biggest hit in the UK. The album's driving rock single, "All Fired Up," was a significant hit across Canada, Australia, and the U.S., showcasing Benatar's continued command of the rock genre. Following this period, Pat Benatar released four additional studio albums between 1991 and 2003, demonstrating her enduring commitment to music and artistic exploration, even as her chart dominance shifted. Her legacy as a pioneering female rock vocalist and a consistent hitmaker remains firmly established.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pat Benatar

What is Pat Benatar best known for?

Pat Benatar is best known for her powerful rock vocals, her string of hit singles in the late 1970s and 1980s, including "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," "Love Is a Battlefield," and "Heartbreaker," and her role as a trailblazing female rock icon. She is also a four-time Grammy Award winner.

How many albums has Pat Benatar sold worldwide?

Pat Benatar has sold over 35 million albums worldwide throughout her career.

How many Grammy Awards has Pat Benatar won?

Pat Benatar has won four Grammy Awards, predominantly for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, between 1980 and 1983.

Who is Pat Benatar's long-time musical partner?

Pat Benatar's long-time musical partner, lead guitarist, and husband is Neil Giraldo. Their creative collaboration has been fundamental to her distinctive sound and success since her debut album.

What was Pat Benatar's most commercially successful album?

Pat Benatar's most commercially successful album is 1980's Crimes of Passion, which peaked at number 2 in North America and France and achieved multi-platinum certifications in both the U.S. (4x platinum) and Canada (5x platinum).