How Grandkids Inspired Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo's Children's Book

A New Chapter for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, who first met in the late 1970s while recording her debut album In the Heat of the Night, never imagined they would one day become co-authors of a children’s book. Fast forward 46 years, and the couple has grown into grandparents to three grandchildren—Stevie, Lola, and Cash—and now, they are the creators of My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!, a new children’s book set to release on September 9.

The idea for the book came from their oldest grandchild, Stevie, who is described as “very precocious and very smart.” During a conversation, she mentioned that she thought all grandparents had a tour bus. Benatar explained that this sparked a discussion about the diversity of grandparents, leading them to create a book that celebrates the different ways grandparents look, act, and live.

“We wanted to make it inclusive and universal,” Benatar said. “We wanted readers to see themselves in the book, whether they were kids or adults.” The book features illustrations by Tiffany Everett and includes stories about how grandparents can be musicians, teachers, artists, and more.

A Collaborative Process

Writing the book was similar to the way Benatar and Giraldo approach songwriting. They started with separate ideas and then collaborated, bouncing thoughts back and forth. Giraldo noted that the process was actually quicker than writing songs, as they were able to work efficiently together.

The couple also used their grandchildren as a test audience, reading drafts to them at every stage. The kids provided honest feedback, which helped shape the final version. For example, Lola, the middle child, expressed concerns about her appearance in the illustrations, while the older two offered suggestions on how to improve the book.

Tiffany Everett, the illustrator, was praised for her patience and creativity. Benatar shared a funny moment when she asked for ruffles on a shirt, saying, “She's having a heart attack!” Despite the challenges, Everett handled everything with grace.

Expanding Their Creative Horizons

In addition to the book, Benatar and Giraldo have recorded an audio version of My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!. They have also discussed potential future projects, such as a cartoon adaptation. Giraldo hinted at another project that he is keeping quiet about, while Benatar revealed she has three more children’s book ideas in the works.

Benatar described the experience of writing a children’s book as a refreshing change from the long hours of studio work. “It's relatively quick, so it's not like making an album that takes a year or more,” she said. “This is a whole other thing, a nice change.”

Touring and Future Music

Despite their new venture, Benatar and Giraldo are still active in the music world. They are set to hit the road again starting September 9 for a series of headlining shows, followed by a tour supporting Bryan Adams. Benatar praised Adams, calling him “a great guy” and noting that the tour is “fun and easy.”

As for new music, the duo has been working on songs for over 22 years since their last album. However, they have not ruled out the possibility of a new record. Giraldo shared a “crazy idea” about creating something unique, though he admitted it might take some convincing to get Benatar on board.

“We don’t care about making hit records anymore,” Giraldo said. “We just want to make music, and if 10 people like it, great. If nobody loves it or a million people like it, I don’t care. As long as we like it, we don’t care.”

For now, Benatar and Giraldo are enjoying their roles as grandparents and authors, embracing new creative opportunities while staying true to their passion for music.