AE: Are there any
other genres you would like to record in?
PB: In 1991, we did the True Love
record, which was a blues record. We've always wanted to revisit that again,
but you know, I've got two girls, and raising them took up so much time — there
was never enough time. Spyder [Benatar's husband and longtime collaborator,
Neil "Spyder" Giraldo] and I have been talking about trying to do
another record of that kind.
AE: What's in your CD player?
PB: I did musical theater most of my pre-professional life, so I still
really love all that stuff, and swing music, things like that. [Spyder] can't
believe he's married to someone who plays South
Pacific in the car. Loud.
AE: A couple of weeks
ago, I played "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" about 20 times on Guitar Hero.
PB: [Laughs] It's great to have that stuff out there.
AE: Do your daughters,
Haley and Hana, think it's rad their mom has tunes on Guitar Hero?
PB: My daughters [are] always jamming in there, playing
"Heartbreaker." So, yeah, it's fun. The kids love it.
AE: How do they feel
about having a rock icon as a mother?
PB: They've toured with us every summer since they're infants. The only
time it's of any use to them is if they can get into a concert here, get
backstage. Otherwise, it's basically just a nuisance to them.
AE: Really?
PB: Oh, sure! I mean, you're just mom. Because it's: "Mom, please.
It's about me." You know what I mean? So, any time that removes [me] from
them, they have no patience for that. And of course, they're mortified about
the previous wardrobe.
AE: Well, a lot of
people are mortified about what they were wearing in the '80s. Although, I'm
hoping parachute pants make a comeback, frankly.
PB: [Laughs] I might have to pass on that one.
AE: You were more into
the spandex and headbands.
PB: The kids are always pointing
that out. "How did you get into those pants?"
AE: It's amazing such
a powerhouse voice was coming from such a little package.
PB: Yeah, I was really tiny then. And the kids, they can't believe it.
All that stuff's catalogued and put away, but they go through that sometimes.
AE: Is love still a
battlefield, Pat?
PB: Oh, it can be. I mean, Spyder and I have been married for 26 years,
and he's really great. But he knows he's a pig-headed Sicilian. And I love him,
but yeah, it could be.
Pat Benatar performs
at Club Skirts' Dinah
Shore on Saturday, April 5, 2008. Buy tickets here.
Continue to our interview with Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's.
