We Belong

When Rebecca and I first met while working for the United States Forest Service back in 1978 (bottom), one of the first things we learned about each other was that we both had an abiding appreciation of most forms of music.

One of the many musicians we listened to in those halcyon days was a young rocker by the name of Pat Benatar (left).

So it's probably no surprise that when Pat Benatar and her band (including husband Neil "Spyder" Giraldo) showed up at the Cuthbert Amphitheatre in Eugene on August 4, we had tickets.

Since her musical training was strictly classical and theatrical, Benatar had plans to attend the Julliard School. But even the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, and she became a rocker.

Turned out to be a good move: the four-time Grammy Award winner has had multiple platinum and gold albums and 19 Top 40 singles, and she was one of the most heavily played artists in the early days of MTV. At the concert, Benatar played a number of fan favorites from her catalogue of tunes, including "Heartbreaker," "Hell Is For Children,""Promises In The Dark" and "Shadows Of The Night."

She also played "We Belong," which we both remember from "way back when." Most of the younger crowd, however, may recall the tune from the comedy "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj2o7a-DpAo).

During the show, Benatar noted proudly that she and Giraldo had been married 29 years: not bad in this day and age. Rebecca and I could relate; we'll celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary this November.