Photos & Text By: Cynthia Grunwald

    It was Mardi Gras time again at Universal Studios in Florida. Tonight is the night where everybody had gathered hopefully see a classy, sassy old time rock and roller by the name of Pat Benatar. The only question in my mind was "Did I drive 2 hours for naught?" I'm usually not a pessimistic person but she has disappointed me and a few others before when she canceled her show at the Carefree Theatre in West Palm Beach two hours before she was set to take the stage. I was relieved and very excited when I was having lunch near the stage when I heard her all familiar voice cry out ..Treat Me Right...She was starting her sound check. Needless to say I high tailed it to the stage to get a glimpse at the performance that was to come tonight. She was on stage for about 20 minutes and I could tell by her riveting sound and playful attitude that tonight would not be a disappointment. The emcees of the show kept the crowd entertained by throwing out Mardi Gras beads to the crowd while we all waited for the parade to begin. Pat Benatar was scheduled to go on right after. She took to the stage at around 8:30 and she opened with no other than "Treat Me Right". I have to be quite honest about how she sounded! SHE SOUNDED EXCELLENT! 

All these people, and you, have been by to read about Pat Benatar

   The band played as many crowd favorites that night as they possibly could. Here's a few tunes from the set list that I tried to keep. Treat Me Right, Heartbreaker, My Clone Sleeps Alone, True Love, I Need A Lover, Hell Is For Children, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, You Better Run, Precious Time, Fire and Ice, (And the closer) All Fired Up. 

   A highlight of the evening was when Neil Geraldo came down from the stage and came right up to a girl in a wheelchair with his guitar in hand he played a foot away from her, which was thrilling, because I was only a foot away from her. The place was standing room only and there wasn't much breathing room, She had a huge gathering from her fan club, and if any of them reads this, let me know where you got the red Neon, spinning Pat Benatar sign, I want one! It was a spectacular evening, She and the band sounded excellent, everyone had a great time and I'm looking forward till the next time I see Pat Benatar live!!!!

Neil plays with his honey's hair during the song 'True Love" from the excellent blues CD of the same name

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