BEST SHOTS

As he savors his Rock Hall induction and raves for the musical Invincible, Neil Giraldo reflects on the highlights of his career — from Rick Derringer to Pat Benatar and beyond.

- GARY GRAFF

AS PAT BENATAR was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last November, she looked at the man to her left with a bright-eyed, adoring look. “And you…my partner, my love,” she said, addressing Neil Giraldo, her husband, fellow inductee and musical partner since the beginning of her recording career, in 1978. “I’m guessing we could probably have done this separately on our own, in our own ways. But it never would have been this much fun.”

While her name may be on the records she made, Benatar is adamant that the act has always been the two of them. Together they’ve sold more than 35 million albums worldwide, five of them Platinum, and scored 15 top-40 singles along with four Grammy awards. Giraldo likes to say, “I know where every note is buried,” and Benatar has never been patient with those who would give him short shrift.

“I’ve lobbied for the past 25 years to get him the credit he’s due,” she said prior to the ceremony, confirming that she’d held up discussion about their induction until she was assured Giraldo — with whom she’s had two daughters and three grandchildren — would get equal billing. “The first song we recorded was ’Heartbreaker,’ and that set the tone for everything. The synergy that happened between us was what began everything. To have done what we did, and to work side by side with my bandmate, who’s also my husband, for me that is a huge deal.”

Giraldo’s work with Benatar, meanwhile, is just part of his musical story. He turned pro in 1978 when he joined Rick Derringer’s band and made the album