Pat Benatar

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer

Category: Performer

Inducted: 2022

Inducted by: Sheryl Crow

Nominated: 2020   2022

First Eligible: 2000 Ceremony

Inducted Members: Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo


Induction Ceremony Songs:

SongPerformed By
All Fired Up  Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Love Is a Battlefield  Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Heartbreaker  Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo

Inducted into Rock Hall Projected in 2031 (ranked #358) .

Essential Albums (?)WikipediaYouTube
In the Heat of the Night (1979)
Crimes of Passion (1980)
Precious Time (1981)
Get Nervous (1982)
Seven the Hard Way (1985)

Essential Songs (?)WikipediaYouTube
Heartbreaker (1979)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot (1980)
Treat Me Right (1980)
You Better Run (1980)
Hell Is For Children (1980)
Fire and Ice (1981)
Shadows Of The Night (1982)
Love Is A Battlefield (1983)
We Belong (1984)
Invincible (1985)
All Fired Up (1988)

Pat Benatar @ Wikipedia



Comments

52 comments so far (post your own)

In 1979 while watching American Bandstand at the age of 12, I witnessed Pat Benatar for the first time performing Heartbreaker and my days as a headbanger officially began! Thanks to her I am now a huge rock fan and I LOVE the female voice! She was a sexy feminist (imagine that) with that phenomenal set of pipes all packed inside of a pint-sized frame. she conquered the man's world of rock and roll surpassing her male contemporaries and kicking the door down for women in rock and in the music industry overall! if there hadn't been a Benatar, there would never have been a Madonna or any that followed! she is the most successful female rock vocalist of all time and, according to Rolling Stone, she "defined what a female rock chick was to look, act and sound like"! Pat Benatar set the bar so high that no one has ever come close to touching it! so, not only should she have been inducted into the hall of fame long ago, but she should be given special honors for trail-blazing a path that all female musicians have followed! All hail the Queen, PAT BENATAR! Amen!!!

Posted by Jody Howe on Thursday, 04/18/2013 @ 13:22pm


Can't believe Pat Benatar is not in the Rock Roll Hall of Fame. Just Saying

4 time Grammy winner
14 top 20 Singles
2nd Video ever on MTV

Hit songs that include
"I Need a Lover"
"Heartbreaker"
"You Better Run"
"Hit Me with Your Best Shot"
"Hell Is for Children"
"Fire and Ice"
"Promises in the Dark"
"Shadows of the Night"
"Love Is a Battlefield"
"We Belong"
"Invincible"
"Sex as a Weapon"
"All Fired Up"

Posted by Mark on Thursday, 08/22/2013 @ 16:04pm


Pat Benatar deserves RRHOF induction. I love when she sings Fire & Ice. The Pat Benatar 4 octave+ voice just kills that song.Always feel like saluting her after it's over.

Definitely prefer Pat's rocking early 80's stuff compared to the Top 40 later style. Shadows of the Night was very powerful & I loved the video for it.Like World War II with the war uniforms & planes.

I admire Pat for taking the women's mantle as a rock singer & not hiding in the shadows. She took on issues many would shy away from especially in relationships. Her songs were very empowering for women & she influenced many of the female singers who arrived later.

Honestly,I always thought Pat was beautiful.Very sexy too.The entire package. Pat would blow away many of the so called great vocalists today. Taylor Swift,Miley Cyrus are good but don't have Pat's power.

She had several hits including:We Belong,Love Is A Battlefield,Heartbreaker,You Better Run,Fire & Ice,Shadows of the Night. Commercial success as well. I say PAT BENATAR RRHOF
very soon. KING

Posted by KING on Wednesday, 01/29/2014 @ 02:28am


Pat Benatar has been named by Billboard to be the most successful female rock artist of all time! Rolling Stone states that she defined what a rock chick was to look, act and sound like! She was the first woman to sell out Madison Square Garden. Every female artist in popular music owe her a debt of gratitude for kicking down barriers in the industry they now enjoy success in. Benatar's mezzo soprano powerhouse vocals are unmatched! She has 19 top 20 hits! She dominated the Rock scene in a time when the industry was dominated by men. Enuff said!!!

Posted by Jody Howe on Wednesday, 02/12/2014 @ 17:00pm


One of the best arguments I've heard for any artist Jody. Pat Benatar should be in RRHOF as an excellent artist & performer. Like when Pat allows the full range of her voice to be utilized. Just a fantastic singer & talent. RRHOF in 2016 seems about right. KING

Posted by KING on Saturday, 04/19/2014 @ 17:24pm


I've listened to Pat since I first heard Heartbreaker on the radio. What a voice and Neil sure could play a mean solo. I know Joan Jett is in already, but if Pat's lyrics are considered amateurish, then Jett's is kindergarden. "I love rock n roll...". Joan is in because she was punk but you still can't take away what Pat has done all these years. I seriously think the RRHOF should be renamed to the Music Hall of Fame since the genres represented is not all rock n roll.

Posted by PatrickInBama on Saturday, 06/7/2014 @ 01:18am


I have read the past posts I agree with most but disagree with some. Pat Benatar should be consider. Or at least nominated. She was the woman that so many teenaged girls wanted to be. Her fashion was seen from the big screen to the rual American streets. She was the Madonna of the early 80's.

Posted by Steve on Sunday, 08/24/2014 @ 22:54pm


I have to say I'm blown away. Joan Jett just got in. I have nothing against Jett, she had 2 or 3 hits plus her backround with the Runaways. But my God, the talent gap between Benetar and Jett is gigantic. Promises in the Dark, Heartbreaker, Fire and Ice, Treat Me Right, Hell is for Children, You Better Run, etc., etc. Multiple Grammys. Way Way more sucess. A kick ass lead guitarist. I mean i really dont know what to say.

Posted by Eddie Dobzanski on Friday, 01/9/2015 @ 22:03pm


The fact that Pat Benatar has not even been in the nominating stage is deplorable. It is just one big popularity contest among the nominating committee and the fact that Pat and Neil are not out in the "scene" hobnobbing with other musicians and at hollywood parties, in the news for not so good reasons, etc.. excludes them from the RRHF. It is a joke and the RRHF is not credible. For example, Madonna can't even sing, she is certainly not "rock and roll" proves that it is all one big "cool people who hang with other cool people" contest - and NOT a serious music honor for the best of the best. Pat can sing and rock better than most females of her generation and has influenced countless female singers past and present. She probably doesn't even care if she is nominated bc she knows it's all bulls**t anyway. She's too cool for it anyway - Still touring every year, still selling out shows, and still married to the same man - that makes her NOT eligible i guess.

Posted by Renee on Saturday, 09/19/2015 @ 11:55am


completely mystified why Pat Benatar and Neil Geraldo never seem to make this list. With such an amazing contribution to rock 'n roll and music history in general it would seem like a given.

Posted by Mike D. on Friday, 10/9/2015 @ 08:01am


I agree,

Since the induction city was changed from Los Angeles to New York, Pat Benatar should have been on this nomination list.

Posted by Enigmaticus on Friday, 10/9/2015 @ 09:31am


PAT BENATAR NOT BEING INDUCTED INTO RRHOF IS A ANOTHER SMACK IN THE FACE TO WOMEN JUST LIKE THE THE USNWST NOT PAYING THEM FAIRLY JUST TOTALLY DIGUSTED ON HOW FAR WE STILL HAVE TO GO IN THIS COUNTRY FOR WOMEN TO GET RESPECT FOR GR8NESS


Posted by RICHARD on Thursday, 05/5/2016 @ 03:36am


Pat must be considered to be inducted yesterday.
She is the Queen of R& R.

This should not be passed again
Please put her in .

Thank you

Posted by Nanette on Monday, 12/5/2016 @ 20:57pm


Fire And Ice should be an essential song. I think Pat Benatar will be nominated in the 2019-2020 Nomination Cycle. Just my instinct and intuition. No doubt, Pat is deserving. Incredible singer and hit songs. KING

Posted by KING on Monday, 09/3/2018 @ 01:17am


I know there is a push to induct women into the RNRHOF. Start here! Pat Benatar pisses on Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks career's from a very high level. I don't want to hear any shit about women being under-represented until she is in. Get Pat Benatar in, Kate Bush, Dionne Warwick, Witney Houston, Mariah Carey, Carole King, maybe Carley Simon and Cher, then give me a break. Get them in, NOW! Don't come at me with Bangles, or the Go Go's or another weak female artist. Let's get the one's in that had a career and go from there.

Posted by Classic Rock on Monday, 06/3/2019 @ 00:38am


Well now, this is a Rock Hall first! What do you think of this?

Pat Benatar is now a band, not a person!

Pat Benatar's nomination includes her husband, songwriter, guitarist, producer, Neil Giraldo. So his trophy will have his name and her name on it.

I guess they could have inducted Lenny Kaye with Patti Smith then! Why didn't they?

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 10/15/2019 @ 12:03pm


Neil Giraldo's nomination/inclusion with Pat Benatar tells me that Pat Benatar has friends in high places at the Rock Hall, and they know her work very well, which leads me to believe that Pat Benatar will get enough votes to be inducted in 2020.

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 10/17/2019 @ 14:17pm


Neil Giraldo has worked with Rick Derringer, John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert. He's won 5 Grammys, and has 4 additional Grammy nominations.

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 10/17/2019 @ 14:20pm


THE BILLBOARD 200 ALBUMS CHART

PAT BENATAR

01. 1979: # 12 – In The Heat Of The Night
02. 1980: # 2 – Crimes Of Passion
03. 1981: # 1 – Precious Time
04. 1982: # 4 – Get Nervous
05. 1983: # 13 – Live From Earth
06. 1984: # 14 – Tropico
07. 1985: # 26 – Seven The Hard Way
08. 1988: # 28 – Wide Awake In Dreamland
09. 1989: # 67 – Best Shots
10. 1991: # 37 – True Love
11. 1993: # 85 – Gravity's Rainbow
12. 1997: # 171 – Innamorata
13. 2003: # 187 – Go
14. 2005: # 47 – Greatest Hits
15. 2009: # 123 – 10 Great Songs

THE BILLBOARD 100 SINGLES CHART

PAT BENATAR

01. 1979: # 23 – Heartbreaker
02. 1980: # 27 – We Live For Love
03. 1980: # 42 – You Better Run
04. 1980: # 9 – Hit Me With Your Best Shot
05. 1980: # 18 – Treat Me Right
06. 1981: # 17 – Fire And Ice
07. 1981: # 38 – Promises In The Dark
08. 1982: # 13 – Shadows Of The Night
09. 1983: # 20 – Little Too Late
10. 1983: # 39 – Looking For A Stranger
11. 1983: # 5 – Love Is A Battlefield
12. 1984: # 5 – We Belong
13. 1985: # 36 – Ooh Ooh Song
14. 1985: # 10 - Invincible
15. 1985: # 28 – Sex As A Weapon
16. 1986: # 54 – Le Bel Age
17. 1988: # 19 – All Fired Up

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 10/20/2019 @ 14:53pm


Hell Is For Children never charted anywhere. Pat Benatar's best known song that was never released as a single.

Posted by Roy on Sunday, 10/20/2019 @ 14:57pm


Hopefully she and Neil will be voted in. I also knew that Neil would be included if she were nominated- as it should be.

Posted by JR on Friday, 11/1/2019 @ 10:44am


Pat Benatar and her husband Neil Giraldo absolutely, positively deserve induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.


Well, what do you think?

Posted by Enigmaticus on Thursday, 11/7/2019 @ 01:20am


Why is she on the "almost made it" list if this is her first nomination?

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, 12/29/2019 @ 01:13am


Just in case people are wondering why Neil Giraldo's name is included:
https://www.rockhall.com/pat-benatar

This makes Whitney Houston the only SOLO female artist nominated on this list.

Posted by Timothy Pernell on Friday, 01/10/2020 @ 16:51pm


Pretty bizarre that we have both the first one-person band and first multi-person solo artist on the same ballot...

Posted by Sean on Friday, 01/10/2020 @ 19:20pm


I heard that Pat has insisted Neil be credited alongside her a lot of times.

Posted by Timothy Pernell on Friday, 01/10/2020 @ 21:02pm


I have no doubt that pat insisted Neil be listed alongside her- and that's perfectly acceptable.

Posted by JR on Friday, 01/10/2020 @ 21:47pm


I really don't understand how the Rock N Roll Hall of Shame couldn't use their high I Q's to figure out why America voted for Pat Benatar on their own Rock and roll Web site. WTF! I seen Pat Benatar as the middle band for Johnny Winters and Ted Nuggent in Portland Oregon at the age of 13 . Every one was leaving to go to the bathrooms when she started playing. The whole Coliseum turn around and return to their seats. No one could believe how bad ass a chick could Rock. Pat Benatar has earned her place in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame!!!! I don't remember seeing ; with no disrespect: Depeche Mode there. And- or doing anything like that in any Venues. Maybe the Rock and Roll Hall of fame can do A little research on the people who they put into the Hall of fame? Love you Pat and Neil.

Posted by Douglas m Jones on Thursday, 01/16/2020 @ 10:37am


It's ridiculous that Madonna, and, now, Whitney Houston are getting inducted before Pat Benatar. The first two are not rock; Pat Benatar qualifies and she's been eligible since 1999, well before the other two. Pat Benatar was a sexy video star like Madonna, but the similarities end there.

I'm not saying Pat Benatar is an absolutely essential addition for the Hall because I don't think her career measures up to Hall of Fame level. She had a few hits on early MTV and little more. Diversity is a a hot topic for the Hall and it's important, but I don't support inducting women mainly because of their sex for the sake of diversity or any other reason.
I prefer Cyndi Lauper over PB. Cyndi had a big hit "Girls Wanna Have Fun", but she could write good songs whose quality was recognized . That is ameasure of successTwo examples are "Time After Time" and " True Colors", both were lesser "hits" than " Girls..."(but better songs). Miles Davis recorded "Time..." and Phil Collins covered ".. Colors". I trust their judgment over Hall voters' and most people's.

Really, the other eligible ignored female artists I'd select besides Pat Benatar, who I think are at least her equal or close to it include the Pointer Sisters(sexiest vocals on "Fire"), Better Midler (because she's Bette Midler), and Carly Simon, ( because she could write songs, too), though not a personal favorite), and a few women in rap/hip hop like Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, and Salt 'N Peppa. Other possibilities are Carole King, who isn't in as a solo artist, but in another category (good enough for me). I really like Sade but she isn't taken seriously at all (not enough Nigerians in the Hall). Joan Armatrading is a good singer but a very dark horse. Melissa Ethridge is also a long shot but a weak case (need for diversity) could be made for her; a stronger case is she definitely rocks as much as any woman. Tina Turner and Diana Ross are already in as part of a group, but their solo careers can be used to build a case for each(and has been on the Web). It happened with Stevie Nicks( how about Chris McVie now?) Gloria Estefan was the first Latin diva with mainstream appeal. Anita Baker and Roberta Flack were soul singers (almost jazz) with crossover success. And how about Cher?(if only for "Believe") Or Patti Labelle? I suggest all of these artists to add to the discussion with Pat Benatar. Most are unlikely at this point, but they came to mind immediately. None is too ridiculous to include in the debate.

The really ridiculous(among eligibles) are listed here: Barbra Streisand, a diva among divas, is light years within reach of anything remotely resembling rock and roll- or soul, or soulfulness. Celine Dion and Mariah Carey are also neither close to rock nor good music nor good taste for the most part(one exception: the song from "Titanic"). Likewise, nostalgic favorite Wilson Phillips is neither rock nor good. The movie "Bridesmaids" gave them a cameo appearance(for nostalgia reasons?), which is why I hate that movie. Pat Benatar is at least in the same galaxy as rock even if she did have fewer "hits"(who cares for that anyway?)
There are more legitimate female artists who are now eligible but would be poor selections. These include R&B/ New Jack stars EN VOGUE, TLC and Toni Braxton(especially her). Going back further than some of the 1990s LaFace divas, blues singer Ester Phillips might have some advocates in the Hall, who are either really old or really know history(Aretha and the Beatles were fans). None of these artists is really rock, like Pat Benatar, though close enough("R&Bish")But that's not the real reason to exclude them. They just weren't that great. Was Pat Benatar?

I haven't mentioned, for the most part, women in groups or women in country( a genre that has inductee Johnny Cash) and I have deliberately omitted artists presently ineligible. The artists mentioned represent a fraction of those women eligible for the Hall that someone might think credible for induction. Obviously, it isn't true that any female star deserves induction. I don't expect anyone to agree with my preferences. Still, Sade needs to be in. Where are the Nigerians in the hall?

Finally, someone on the Web somewhere said Missy " Misdemeanor" Elliot is eligible for the Hall next year and has a strong chance to get in. I would say that if Ms. Missy got in before Pat Benatar then that shit be whack.
.

Posted by Bull frog on Thursday, 04/2/2020 @ 02:57am


The question was posed, was Pat Benatar great? The answer is obvious, Yes, Pat Benatar was, and still is Great.. Besides being one of the top female rock and rollers, her first solo LP, "In the Heat Of the Night" predates Joan Jett's solo debut by 2 years, her first 2 albums predate MTV by more than a year, and she had major hit singles and albums long before Madonna ever got her act together and became popular. Pat had the second video ever played on MTV. Her first 6 LP's were certified Platinum, with the first 3 certified multi-Platinum. And her 7th and 8th albums were Gold certified. Can you name any other Rock female artist with those credentials? On top of all of that , Pat Benatar is a band, not a solo artist, comprised of longtime guitarist, songwriter and husband Neil Giraldo, and other solid band members who were there through the golden years of success, and most have retired since, but contributed to the big selling LP's and tours at the time. All 3 artists, Pat, Joan Jett and Madonna benefited and capitalized greatly from MTV, with Madonna's career being most positively affected. Would Madonna have had the success she did if not for Pat Benatar blazing the trail for female Rock artists and providing inspiration. Before Madonna even existed, teenage girls were dressing like Pat Benatar. She had fashioned a style that was popular for a time, and Madonna, of course did the same a few years later on. Madonna achieved more success because her music was more modern pop and dance, with a more mainstream audience, while Pat B. was always a bit edgier on the Rock side.
So I don't have a problem with Madonna in the Hall, she earned it, and I like a lot of her music. But then you have Joan Jett, who of course is more hard Rock than Pat B. And you will probably not find a bigger Runaways fan here than myself. They are the same age as me, and I was a heavy Rock teenager when they were popular for a short spell. "Queens Of Noise" LP is a favorite of mine, so I was a fan of Joan Jett. But don't get me wrong, I really think the Blackhearts are a fantastic band, and fit perfectly for Joan. They churned out the hits and great music, but Pat Benatar, her band, and all of the incredible material they put out, far exceeds Joan Jett's solo work, and IMO, Pat Benatar should have been nominated and inducted before Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Now if you include her works with The Runaways, that is different, but these are 2 separate bands here.
Personally, I do not have an issue with Joan Jett getting inducted when she did, but I believe Pat B. is long overdue, and should go in next year. I really feel the reason it did not happen with this class, is with Dave Matthews Band winning the top spot in the Fan Vote, and Pat B. finishing at #2, they decided to scrap them both. It seemed like you would have to put both in, or not at all, and I don't believe the voters really wanted to put DMB in at this time..

Posted by Will N. on Thursday, 04/2/2020 @ 22:54pm


Pat Benatar deserves to be in the hall. Women need more representation in the hall in general.

Posted by Liam on Monday, 06/15/2020 @ 12:53pm


I'm Cleveland , dang it get suzi Quattro and pat benatar into rock hall. , now. Cleveland would have done it already , New York needs to let Cleveland do this right Cleveland needs full control of rock hall. & add some heavy metal please ,Iron Maiden , mega death etc.... come on people.

Posted by Rlck on Thursday, 06/25/2020 @ 21:29pm


I'm Cleveland , dang it get suzi Quattro and pat benatar into rock hall. , now. Cleveland would have done it already , New York needs to let Cleveland do this right Cleveland needs full control of rock hall. & add some heavy metal please ,Iron Maiden , mega death etc.... come on people.

Posted by Rlck on Thursday, 06/25/2020 @ 21:29pm


This is a travesty! Get her in!

Posted by Adam J Stafford on Tuesday, 11/9/2021 @ 16:28pm


Go -Goes before Pat Benatar!! Give me a break!! Go-Goes had 1 hit album 2 hit singles. Compare that to Pats list of singles and albums.

Posted by kim boydston on Wednesday, 12/1/2021 @ 21:49pm


Women still not in RRHOF:

Connie Francis
Patsy Cline
Carole Kaye
Cher
Barbra Streisand
Judy Collins
Carly Simon
Dionne Warwick
Bette Midler
Helen Reddy
Olivia Newton-John
Diana Ross (solo)
EmmyLou Harris
Dolly Parton
The Carpenters
Suzi Quattro
The Pointer Sisters
The Captain & Tenille
The Runaways
Joan Armatrading
Kiki Dee
The B-52s
Pat Benatar
Kim Carnes
Bonnie Tyler
The Eurythmics
Cyndi Lauper
Lita Ford
The Bangles
Traci Chapman
Sheryl Crow
Alannis Morisette
Fiona Apple
Wilson Phillips
The Cranberries
Hole/Courtney Love
No Doubt
Celine Dion
and the list goes on…

Posted by Get Real on Monday, 02/21/2022 @ 15:26pm


This is so ridiculous. I've read through the majority of comments about Pat Benatar being in the RRHOF. There is nearly 16 years of comments about the opinions and facts of Pat's talents, gold and platinum records, her early successes on MTV, to her constant play on classic rock to best of 80s & 90s. The basic fact is she above any other female solo artist, or female let group, she consistently rises to the top. The RRHOF has lost and will continue to lose credibility until she is voted in.

Also, I see many of Pat's big hits were mentioned, but I never saw one one her most serious, yet touching is "Hell is for Children". Great song, with such a great meaning. Lets see the headlines "Pat's in 2022.

Posted by Brian D Goode on Sunday, 03/20/2022 @ 17:45pm


Wow- she should have already been in the rock hall of fame! Is it because she is a woman that this hasn't happened yet???

Posted by Ellen Wells on Saturday, 04/23/2022 @ 23:13pm


Ellen Wells

Probably a mix of sexism and era. Def wasn't taken seriously

Posted by Mat R on Saturday, 04/23/2022 @ 23:21pm


She is in!! Finally!—Mark

Posted by MarkTesla on Wednesday, 05/4/2022 @ 22:43pm


I love Cyndi Lauper more!

So now Pat Benatar's Rock Hall bio page got changed to Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo in the headline. Do we still count her as a solo inductee? Lenny Kaye should have been inducted with Patti Smith then. Ted Nugent's band has to be inducted as Ted Nugent, with Ted Nugent's name on their trophies too.

https://www.rockhall.com/pat-benatar-2

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/5/2022 @ 12:16pm


Dan Patrick and company make fun of Pat Benatar

Hell is for children, but love is a battlefield
Love is a battlefield, but hell is for children

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHOWHfDk44c

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 05/5/2022 @ 14:05pm


I'm so happy for Pat finally getting in the Hall, however I'm a little surprised about the inclusion of Neil Giraldo. He was never billed with Pat, he's the guitarist, contrary to popular belief he only wrote ONE song that was a hit for Pat "Little Too Late" He may be a decent guitarist and Pat's husband but he isn't Hall of Fame material. There are plenty of sidemen for solo artists or duo's in the Rock Hall that are as good or better than Giraldo that don't ever sniff induction.

Posted by Pete on Thursday, 05/19/2022 @ 22:50pm


Very worthy inductee but her work isn't substantial compared to her contemporaries' work in the 80's. Heck if were basing on historical, cultural & aesthetical significance instead of hits & sales then her albums didn't have any of it, most of the people who got inducted before her achieved that & thus is the reason why they're among the most influential acts of all time. Again she's worthy but definitely didn't broke new ground.

Posted by Jordan Einstein on Friday, 05/20/2022 @ 13:50pm


236. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (2022)

As noted above, the hall has not done a terrible job inducting women. It's not perfect, but that's because the hall isn't particularly good at its job all the way around. There's no evidence of a disinclination to recognize female performers, and there are actually female performers in the hall who shouldn't be there. Case in point: The bizarre ascension of the cartoony and nonsubstantive Pat Benatar. She's an utterly trivial figure with a small group of hits, none of which she wrote, and the plain offensiveness of one of which ("Hit Me With Your Best Shot") I think adequately captures her artistic sophistication. (Fun fact: One of her later albums is called Gravity's Rainbow.)

-Bill Wyman

Posted by Roy on Monday, 11/14/2022 @ 11:06am


236. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo (2022)

As noted above, the hall has not done a terrible job inducting women. It's not perfect, but that's because the hall isn't particularly good at its job all the way around. There's no evidence of a disinclination to recognize female performers, and there are actually female performers in the hall who shouldn't be there. Case in point: The bizarre ascension of the cartoony and nonsubstantive Pat Benatar. She's an utterly trivial figure with a small group of hits, none of which she wrote, and the plain offensiveness of one of which ("Hit Me With Your Best Shot") I think adequately captures her artistic sophistication. (Fun fact: One of her later albums is called Gravity's Rainbow.)

-Bill Wyman

Posted by Roy on Monday, 11/14/2022 @ 11:06am


Bill, it's fine if you don't like/respect Pat B, but at least use facts to state your case. 15 top 40 hits is not a "small group", at least 4 of which were written by her. Any musician would dream to have the career of Pat Benatar. Facts.

Posted by Kelby on Friday, 08/25/2023 @ 18:35pm


Haha. I just realized Roy's post was from a Vulture article written by Bill Wyman. His perspective is still not based on facts. Although, she didn't chart all that much outside North America. He also put Stevie Nicks at the bottom of the list. I'm going to read the rest of the article. I'm kind of surprised he would write such an article. I don't know anything about his personality, so maybe it's no surprise at all.

Posted by Kelby on Thursday, 09/21/2023 @ 09:05am


should specify, that writer has no relation to the more famous Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, two different people

Posted by Will M on Thursday, 09/21/2023 @ 09:28am


Will, thank you! I was truly baffled by the article. Not familiar with the non-Stones Bill Wyman.

Posted by Kelby on Thursday, 09/21/2023 @ 13:28pm


He writes various music criticism in the style of Dave marsh, I've seen his name in various publications

Posted by Will M on Thursday, 09/21/2023 @ 16:19pm


It's kind of funny. I partially understand his the criticism of Pat Benatar, but he certainly doesn't use facts to make his case. I read the rest of the article and that seems to be his m.o. He called Depeche Mode "fairly popular".

Posted by Kelby on Thursday, 09/21/2023 @ 18:30pm


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Future Rock Legends is your home for Pat Benatar and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including year of eligibility, number of nominations, induction chances, essential songs and albums, and an open discussion of their career.


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