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Neil Giraldo

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Neil Giraldo
Giraldo in 2018
Giraldo in 2018
Background information
Also known as
  • Spyder James
  • Neil Geraldo
Born (1955-12-29) December 29, 1955 (age 68)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
OriginParma Senior High School, Ohio
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
  • producer
  • arranger
  • guitarist
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • piano
  • drums
  • vocals
Years active1978–present
Labels
Spouse
​
(m. 1982)​
Children2
Websitethreechordbourbon.com www.benatargiraldo.com

Neil Thomas Giraldo (born December 29, 1955) is an American musician, record producer, arranger, and songwriter best known as the musical partner of Pat Benatar since 1979 – and spouse since 1982. He has also performed, written and produced for artists including Rick Derringer, John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert, The Del-Lords, Scott Kempner, and Beth Hart. Giraldo's diverse work has sold over 45 million records[citation needed] and his contributions have produced five Grammy Awards and an additional four Grammy nominations. In 2022, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Benatar.

Early life

[edit]

Giraldo was born on December 29, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from Parma Senior High School in Parma, Ohio, to Sicilian parents, Anthony and Angela Giraldo.[1][2] At the age of six, Giraldo received his first guitar as a gift from his parents. Giraldo notes his first live performances as playing Italian songs after church for family and friends, alongside his sister Priscilla, who played the accordion.[3] He later started playing in local bands at the age of 14, venturing into nightclubs with his uncle, who sang while Giraldo played the guitar. He learned to play the piano at the age of 12, and afterwards learned the drums.[2] Throughout his childhood, Giraldo credits being influenced by revolutionary bands of the 1960s and 1970s such as The Yardbirds, The Kinks, and The Who.[3] Jazz artists such as bandleader Count Basie, jazz pianist Jay McShann, and blues shouter Big Joe Turner provided inspiration and deepened Giraldo's respect and admiration for the genre.[4]

Professional career

[edit]

Giraldo began his professional music career in 1978 as a member of the Rick Derringer band after competing alongside 200 fellow guitarists for the position.[5] Giraldo provided his guitar, as well as piano skills for Derringer's 1979 recording of Guitars and Women.[6] In the spring of 1979, Mike Chapman introduced Giraldo to a singer named Pat Benatar[6] who had recently signed a recording contract with Chrysalis Records.[2] Chapman felt Giraldo's affinity for arranging and musical direction would facilitate the creation of a sound both identifiable and powerful.[2] Over the years Giraldo has produced some of Benatar's biggest hits including "Love Is a Battlefield" and "We Belong".[6] Giraldo has performed on every Benatar album and produced all but two.[7]

Benatar's debut album In the Heat of the Night was released in August 1979 and reached No. 12 in the US in early 1980.[8] The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in December 1980.[9] The album featured the Giraldo penned hit "We Live for Love".

The release of Crimes of Passion, in August 1980, featured the single "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100[8] and sold over a million copies in the United States, achieving a platinum certification by the RIAA.[9] Also on the album was the controversial song "Hell Is for Children," co-written by Giraldo, which was inspired by a New York Times article about child abuse in America[10] The album peaked for five consecutive weeks at No. 2 in the US[8] and was featured in the 1981 adult animated musical drama film American Pop.[11]

Precious Time marked the first of many Benatar albums produced by Giraldo, and was released in July 1981, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard US Top 200 LP chart,[8] followed in late 1982 by Get Nervous, which reached No. 4 in the US[8] and earned RIAA[9] and CRIA platinum[12] certifications. Live from Earth, recorded during the band's Get Nervous world tour, reached No. 13[8] and received RIAA[9] and CRIA platinum[12] certification.

On August 1, 1981, MTV launched and debuted the music video "You Better Run" as the second-ever video to air on the network, thus distinguishing Giraldo as the first guitarist to appear on MTV.[13]

The 1981 album Working Class Dog by Rick Springfield featured Giraldo as the guitarist, bassist, and producer for "I’ve Done Everything for You" and the number one hit "Jessie's Girl".

Giraldo was also the producer for the John Waite album Ignition, released on May 21, 1982.[14] The album featured the single "Change", which also appeared on the soundtrack for the 1985 film, Vision Quest.[15]

Tropico was released in August 1984, featuring a new sound, less hard rock. It, too, earned RIAA[9] and CRIA platinum[12] certification. A year later, Seven the Hard Way, was released, earning an RIAA gold[9] certification. Giraldo and Benatar's success continued with Wide Awake in Dreamland in the summer of 1988, again earning RIAA gold[9] certification.

In late April 1991, True Love was released,[16] followed by Gravity's Rainbow in 1993, which was the last album recorded with Chrysalis Records.

Innamorata was released in June 1997 and was recorded under the CMC International record label. The album featured the single "Strawberry Wine".[17]

Giraldo began film scoring in 2001 with his debut work for the film Nailed, starring Harvey Keitel.[18]

The Pat Benatar album Go was released in August 2003 under the Bel Chiasso label. The album included the 9/11 charity single, "Christmas in America".[19]

In 2004 Giraldo was the film composer for the film Smile, which featured Sean Astin, Beau Bridges, and Linda Hamilton.[20]

In September 2019, Giraldo received the AFMX 2019 Music Award, as part of the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience Festival.[21]

Other ventures

[edit]

In 2017, Giraldo founded and is the chairman of Steel Bending Spirits LLC. Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the spirits company released its inaugural offering, Three Chord Bourbon in July 2018.[22][23] In July 2019, Steel Bending Spirits expanded its Three Chord Bourbon product line, introducing two new variations, Twelve Bar Reserve and Amplify Rye.[24]

Personal life

[edit]

Neil Giraldo married singer Pat Benatar in 1982. They have two daughters, Haley Giraldo and Hana Giraldo[25][26] (who have both appeared on the E! reality television series Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive and Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules in late 2005 and early 2022).[27][28]

While Benatar and Giraldo are both Roman Catholic, the two did not marry within the Church due to the former's divorce. The two were married in Hana, Hawaii, by Rev. Henry Kahula of the nondenominational Wainanalua Church on February 20, 1982, just days before the 24th Grammy Awards.[29]

Charitable work

[edit]
Giraldo working with students at OSA October 2017

Giraldo has been a long time advocate for the support of children and their well-being. Since 1996 Giraldo has been hosting and performing at fundraising events and lending assistance to the non-profit organization, The Children's Lifesaving Foundation.[30] The Children's Lifesaving Organization supports the lives of homeless and high-risk youth in Los Angeles by providing social, academic and domestic support.[31]

In 2016 Giraldo became involved with the Oakland School for the Arts, a charter school located in Oakland California. In April 2016, the school unveiled the Neil Giraldo Recording Studio as a welcome gift to the music department.[4]

In 2019 the United Outreach Foundation welcomed Giraldo as a member of the board of directors. United Outreach Foundation is a 501c3 organization providing community support for homelessness, food scarcity, education and animal welfare.[32]

Recognition

[edit]

In 2016 Giraldo and Benatar were awarded the Children's LSF foundation's Angel of the Year Award for their continued service with the organization.[30]

On April 12, 2016, Giraldo and Benatar were honored with the Artistic Award of Courage, celebrating both artists for their advocacy toward the ending of child abuse. The award was presented in conjunction with the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Board of Advisors, via The Stewart and Lydia Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA.[33]

In September 2019, Giraldo received the AFMX 2019 Music Award, as part of the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience Festival.[21]

On October 15, 2019, Giraldo was co-nominated with his wife for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His nomination came for his co-creating the Pat Benatar band, where he was lead guitarist, songwriter and producer for 40 years.[34] Although the duo was not chosen for induction in 2020, they were again nominated in 2022 and were chosen as one of seven inductees.[35]

Discography

[edit]
An impassioned Neil Giraldo on stage (1978)

Studio albums

[edit]
List of albums, with selected chart positions, sales, and certifications
(all with Benatar, unless otherwise noted)
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[36] 		UK
[37] 		CAN
Guitars and Women (piano, guitar) – (Rick Derringer)
  • Release date: 1979
  • Label: Blue Sky
  • Format: LP, cassette, audio cd
 – — — —
In the Heat of the Night (Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals)
  • Release date: August 27, 1979
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP, 8-track, cassette, cd
 12 98 3
Crimes of Passion (Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals)
  • Release date: August 6, 1980
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP record, 8-track, cassette, cd
 2 — 2
  • RIAA: 4× Platinum[9]
  • MC: 5× Platinum[12]
  • SNEP: Gold[38]
Precious Time (Producer, songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals)
  • Release date: July 6, 1981
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP, 8-track, cassette, cd
 1 30 2
  • RIAA: 2× Platinum[9]
  • MC: 2× Platinum[12]
  • SNEP: Gold[38]
Ignition (Producer) – John Waite
  • Release date: June 29, 1982
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP, vinyl
 68
[39]		 — — —
Get Nervous (Producer, songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Harmonica)
  • Release date: October 29, 1982
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 4 73 16
Live from Earth (Producer, songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards)
  • Release date: September 22, 1983
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 13 60 25
Tropico (Producer, songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards)
  • Release date: November 1, 1984
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 14 31 21
Seven the Hard Way (Producer, Guitar, songwriter, Keyboards)
  • Release date: October 30, 1985
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 26 69 36
Johnny Comes Marching Home (Producer and Mixer) – The Del-Lords – – – —
Based on a True Story (Producer and Mixer) – The Del-Lords
  • Release date: 1988
  • Label: Enigma
  • Format: LP
 – – – —
Wide Awake in Dreamland (Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer)
  • Release date: June 22, 1988
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 28 11 11
True Love (Guitar, songwriter, Producer)
  • Release date: April 9, 1991
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 37 40 22
Gravity's Rainbow (Songwriter, Guitar, Keyboards, Producer)
  • Release date: May 24, 1993
  • Label: Chrysalis
  • Format: LP
 85 – 44 —
Innamorata (Songwriter, producer, Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals) 171 — — —
Go (Producer, Guitar, songwriter, Vocal, Keyboards)
  • Release date: August 12, 2003
  • Label: Bel Chiasso Records
  • Format: CD
 187 – — —

Singles and collaborations

[edit]
Year Singles/Collaborations Role Artist
1981 Working Class Dog, "Jessie's Girl", "I've Done Everything for You"[42] Producer, Guitar,[43] Bass Rick Springfield
1982 "Don't Fight It" Arranger, Guitar Kenny Loggins
1983 Down in Flames Producer Steve Forbert
1985 Vision Quest (soundtrack) Producer Multiple
1997 Intimacy Songwriter The Corrs
2001 Nailed Film composer Multiple
2001 California Dreamin' Producer Beth Hart
2004 SMILE Film composer Multiple
2015 One December Night[44] Keyboards, songwriter, guitar, producer Pat Benatar
2017 Shine[45] Producer, guitar, drums, keyboards Pat Benatar
2018 Dancing Through the Wreckage[46] Songwriter Pat Benatar
2023 "Heartbreaker" Featured artist alongside Pat Benatar Dolly Parton

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Meeker, Ward (March 5, 2014). "Neil Giraldo". Vintageguitar.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d "'Precious Time': Neil Giraldo and Pat Benatar Share Thoughts About Past, Present". Naplesherlad.com. January 31, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Jim Radenhausen. "Guitarist Neil Giraldo on life with Pat Benatar; they play Mount Airy on Saturday". Poconorecord.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Neil Giraldo". Dennislewinmusic.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  5. ^ "Durham - Eastern Carolina Style". Easterncarolinastyle.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c "Neil Giraldo - Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  7. ^ Giles, Jeff; Wardlaw, Matt (August 5, 2015). "How Pat Benatar Triumphed Over Turmoil With 'Crimes of Passion'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Pat Benatar Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  10. ^ "Hell Is For Children by Pat Benatar". Songfacts.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  11. ^ "American Pop (1981)". IMDb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Gold Platinum Search for Pat Benatar". Music Canada. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  13. ^ "Neil Giraldo : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  14. ^ "John Waite - Ignition". Discogs. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  15. ^ "Vision Quest [Original Soundtrack] - Original Soundtrack - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  16. ^ "Top 200 Albums - Billboard 200 chart". Billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  17. ^ "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 31, 1997. Retrieved June 26, 2019 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ "Nailed". IMDb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  19. ^ "Pat Benatar - Go". Discogs. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  20. ^ "Smile". IMDb.com. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  21. ^ a b "AFMX". Abqfilmx.com. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  22. ^ Gary Graff. "Rocker Neil Giraldo brings new bourbon to Michigan State Fair". The Oakland Press. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  23. ^ "Steel Bending Spirits' Three Chord Blended Bourbon - Product Launch". Just-drinks.com. August 1, 2018. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  24. ^ Steven Wilke. "Neil Giraldo's Three Chord Bourbon Is Inspired by Rock N' Roll Sounds". Hour Detroit. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  25. ^ "Pat Benatar And Neil Giraldo: Star-Crossed Lovers, Partners For More Than 30 Years". Yahoo.com. January 10, 2013. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  26. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (June 27, 2010). "Pat Benatar takes her best shot in new book". New Haven Register. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  27. ^ "Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules". Eonline.com.
  28. ^ "Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules Cast". Msn.com.
  29. ^ Benatar, Pat; Cox, Patsi Bale (June 15, 2010). Between a Heart and a Rock Place: A Memoir. HarperCollins. pp. 120–124. ISBN 978-0-06-195377-4.
  30. ^ a b Nancy Sagona. "Angels at Work". Malibu Times. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  31. ^ "Childrens Life-Saving Foundation aka Children's Lifesaving Foundation - GuideStar Profile". Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  32. ^ "UOF". Unitedoutreach.org. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  33. ^ "An Afternoon of Good Food and Friends at Vibiana Raises Money for Scholarships - U Magazine - UCLA Health - Los Angeles, CA". Uclahealth.org. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  34. ^ "BillboardRRHoF". Billboard.com. October 21, 2019. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
  35. ^ "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "Pat Benatar | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.com.
  37. ^ "Official Charts > Pat Benatar". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  38. ^ a b c d "Les Certifications depuis 1973 : search for Benatar P." Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on June 21, 2010. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  39. ^ "John Waite | Biography, Music & News". Billboard.com.
  40. ^ a b "Album artist 296 - Pat Benatar". Tsort.info. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  41. ^ a b "Gold Platinum Search for Pat Benatar CD". Music Canada. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  42. ^ "Rick Springfield - Working Class Dog". Discogs. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  43. ^ "Pat Benatar's husband/musical partner Neil Giraldo talks '80s hits and musical theater". Tampa Bay Times. October 10, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  44. ^ "Pat Benatar And Neil Giraldo - One December Night". Discogs. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  45. ^ "Shine - Pat Benatar". YouTube. January 19, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  46. ^ "Pat Benatar - Dancing Through The Wreckage". Discogs. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
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