Rig Rundown - Pat Benatar's Neil Giraldo 

His work with Pat Benetar, Rick Springfield, Derringer, Steve Perry & Kenny Loggins proved he was at the very top of rock guitarists of the 80's

Very underrated guitarist in his time.

Coolest guy ever. "the guitar's a tool and the song is the star and that's how I feel." Love that. It's not about the gear, it's all in the hands. No wonder this guy has had such a great career.

One of the most underrated and most tasteful guitarist's on the scene..He always made every note count. Awesome guitarist!

In my opinion, some of the best solos in rock from this man.. shredders take note!

Neil is a helluva guitar player, great musician. And he's got to be the one of the luckiest guys on the planet, too.

Neil has one of the best sounds of all time, great producer too. Loved his work with John Wait in the early days

still together all these years , what a marriage

Love Spider and Pat. I'm 64 and loved your songs from the get go. You guys are the real deal from my era. God bless you two forever. Two down to earth people.

One the premier guitarists of the 1980s. If you were anywhere near a radio back then you were sure to hear his work sooner or later.

Maybe it's because I'm italian too, but I think this is one of the most honest and enjoable rig rundowns ever. Thumbs up Spyder.

Massive congrats to Neil and Pat getting into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year, definitely deserving

20 years old, my boyfriend took me to see them William Mary University of North Carolina. Had a blast. Am 57 now and still remember how great they were.

I appreciate Neil's simple approach to getting great sound.

HIs wife is the greatest female rocker of all time, and he is one of the great underrated guitarists in rock history. saw them in Honolulu years ago, great show.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot solo is my favorite guitar solo of all time

I have to agree Neil Giraldo is one of them rare guitar stars who is extremely down to earth...love his catalogue of work as a producer, guitarist and band member of Pat Benatar. He's someone to emulate.

Criminally underrated.

Such great tone with so little effects! He's still underrated! Great guitarists and perfect fit for Pat Benatar's voice. His solos always perfect.

What a wonderful interview! Neil is such a laid back, genuine guy and totally dedicated to his music. By the way .... Neil and Pat are made for each other. Long may they live.

He always worked very tastefully around and in between Pat’s vocal work. Short signature work that has endured throughout the decades.

He's one of the best guitarist I've ever heard. And his wife is one of the best singers I've ever heard. Good interview.

Neil is very high on the list of under appreciated guitarists. He is fantastic.

Incredibly underrated. Seen him and Pat twice, and the guy is just a ripper...nice to see this.

A lot of what i was playing (trying) when in my teenage bedroom was by Neil Geraldo/Pat Benatar. So happy to see him in a Rig Rundown. And to see that he seems like such a humble gentleman. [Thank you, Neil - for the music and the inspiration.]

The man just wakes up cool. Effortless. I could listen to him tell stories forever.

I grew up in the 80s listening to this guy's solos and falling in love with the guitar but- by the time I got old enough to really get into music and all- things had moved on and as a result I just never looked into who he was or anything. Lukather was the same way- grew up listening to all his work and loving it but- I was too young to really get into it and even know the names of the bands- much less who played in them. But when I think about it these where the first solos I heard- riding in the car with my parents, and I loved them. I've been going back lately and rediscovering a lot of it now- at age 50- it's trip. But this band was a huge part of the soundtrack that was my childhood- along with bands like AC/DC, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Aldo Nova, Boston, The Commodores, Foreigner, Stevie Wonder, Kansas, man the list goes on and on and on. By the time I was old enough to really start buying my own stuff I had turned to a whole different style of music and this stuff wasn't on the radio any more. That's cool though- now I can go back and rediscover it and figure out who everyone was and blame all the right ppl for giving me this cursed obsession. Do you know how many hours of "bad to the bone" my poor family had to sit through? LOL- I played that riff over and over and over and over- on a 75-dollar harmony guitar run through a 30 dollar homemade radio shack amp. It had an on and off switch and a volume knob- that's it- it was basically like plugging directly into a speaker. But- if you cranked it- distortion- and you could bang out that three note run- and almost feel like you were playing.

Neil and Pat have aged very well. Still performing at a high level.🎤🎸🔥

Can't get enough of Neil.♡

Probably one of the nicest humble human you will ever meet. Hell of a guitarist as well. Very underrated imo.

He produced John Waite's first and excellent solo album Ignition in 1982.

One of my earliest influences, and a most Underrated guitarist...

I think this guy is the best interviewer/rig-rundowner... the interviews are full of info... Great Job

Great Guitar Player. Extremely Underrated. Listen to the Guitar Solo in Precious Time or Hell is for Children ( among many others ). Super Tasty. Always Loved this Guy. Very cool & down-to-earth. - Michael Caz - NYC -

Class act. Just a very underrated guitar player and cool guy.

I saw Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo in Lancaster, PA this year! They both sounded amazing!! And yes, I thought Neil was incredible as a guitarist!! :)

The man is such a legend,his playing is phenomenal.

I've been playing for 30 years and listening to and enjoying this guy all along, but just now learned who he is after investigating the "Jessie's Girl" solo while learning it for a cover band. I really like all his well crafted parts and solos, he reminds me of Elliot Easton in that everything he plays is interesting and cool but still always fits the song perfectly. And those Starfires DAMN!

What an enlightening interview, not just for the guitar, but for how band dynamics work. He's' not always saying it overtly, but what I got from watching this was "Keep it simple, keep it balanced, get the basics down" and apply that approach to the guitar you are playing, the song you are playing and who you are playing with, whether its your sister on the accordion, Rick Derringer or Pat Benatar.Geraldo seems very down to earth and gracious. No wonder Pat Benatar loves him so much.The interviewer did a good job, relaxed and informative with a good flow from subject to subject. This is a lot more than a rig rundown.

I was maybe 16 and been playing for 2 years at their peak. It was those blistering solos that I really wanted to hear. Very clean,precise and did not hide behind effects. Heartbreaker , Hit me wth your best shot are two of the best solos of that era and even now stand the test of time.

Loved this, just like all his work, he's such a wonderful guy. Especially loved his very true comment about "digging in" and "being there". His perfect tone, for Pat's incredible voice, is an inspiration and testament of incredible artistic collaboration and a wonderful marriage. Charmed.

Love hearing Neil talk shop! Thank u

Spyder, Cleveland ROCKS ! after all these years you still sound awesome!

Just AWESOME! Neil is so frick'n original... his style of playing unique...everything. Would love to hang out with him for one day! I still listen to their songs almost every day and try to catch all his nuances in his playing. I have a massive appreciation for Neil and his material. Vastly underrated. What a humble and great man... Thanks Neil!

What an iconic guitarist. Always wonderful tone!

I really like his sound, always have.

Pat Benatar una de mis artistas favoritas con hermosa voz y excelente ritmo y su esposo gran músico. Soy mexicana y desde 1980 los escucho tengo todos sus discos.

Loved this guys guitar style since 1980. His solos have such good melody.

Still Awesome after all these years!

Just a monster player and seems like a real laid back nice guy, awesome interview

Great interview. Geraldo is such a pro

He was definitely the sound of the early 80s. Good memories 👍👍👍👍

Thanks again, PG. I can watch these insider gear interviews all day.

Neil Giraldo is a truly great player.One of my all time favorites.

Great interview - I saw Neil 1.5 yrs ago in Hamilton Ontario with Pat Benetar and he was great, he came across the same way onstage.

He had the sound. Pat had the sound too ❤

At some point, I thought I remembered him using AC-30's live, but I may have mistook the 100w Marshal combos as Vox's. Neil is a true force in the world of rock. One would do well to heed the insights he so freely shared. Rock on and long life to you Spyder!

I've always been a fan of Neil's playing. This is the first interview I've watched and he seems like a great guy.

Phenominal player. GREAT feel and tone

1 of my fav guitarists of all time

We opened for Pat in the late 70’s….Neil and Pat are the nicest people on earth!

Gotta love Spyder and his love for what he does. Such a kind a man. John, you are equally awesome and I absolutely loved your infectious smile and genuine joy throughout this free flowing chat. Well done!

Neil one of my all time favorites. Awesome interview, it's great when the interviewer is also a fan. It's like he's asking all the questions I would ask. Chitarrista Eccezionale

Great chops, and his solos are very tasteful and memorable in my opinion.

Underappreciated player. Guitar, amp, fingers. That's the way it should be.

learned a lot from Neil as a kid...his solo's were so good and well thought out...

Neil is such an inspiration. He is a success in music and in life as well. Plus, anyone who is good friends with Tim Pierce has to be a down-to-earth great guy!

Neil's solos are always awesome. I mean the solo in Precious Time....come on!!!!

Used to play Heartbreaker in a cover band I was in... And that solo was always my favorite to play every night

I always thought I heard a slight flange/chorus characteristic to the guitars in ‘Jessie’s Girl’. Now we know it was the detune setting on a harmonized. Neil’s a gem to rock n roll.

Have a rare CD collection of 70's progressive rock from Italy. Man, are they fabulous musician's. Can't get enough of that collection.

Great player great live thanks for your music

Neils the coolest ! Watch the Pat Benatar / Neil Geraldo 35th anniversary concert. Just awesome!

Neil has some of the best guitar solos I have ever heard he's an amazing player!!

HUGELY under rated guitar player!

What a great guy .. Well done ..Great player too.. i will have to listen to `Jessie`s girl again .. too enjoy Neil`s playing ... Love all Pat Benatar stuff .. too..

Met Neil and Pat in 1996,,,,got my pic with the both of them...sweetest people you will ever meet. Love them both. PAT BENATAR FOR THE ROCK HALL OF FAME. ALREADY@!@

Absolutely one of my all time favorite guitar players, such a creative rhythm players and definitely one of THE best soloist's to play guitar! Great video!

One of the best!

I saw Him and PAT BENATAR in 1985. They were both awesome. Great Concert

love this guy great songs great tone sick vibrato and cool guitars

THIS GUY IS ONE OF THE BEST OUT THERE

Neil you are an awesome musician

Seems like a pretty cool guy. I've always been a fan of his work

Great interview! Well done! Spyder is a true American Treasure!!! 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

Great interview Neil is an absolute identifiable guitarist. Love his playing and tone

Was never really into Pat Benetar but always loved his sound and playing style. Some of the best solos!

Man! I've always love Spyder and his tone, but I love him even more after watching this video! Great stuff man! Great stuff! Thanks!

His solos on Heartbreaker and Promises in the Dark are fire.

John Bohlinger...nice job with the interview and the product demos.

I love John's interviews: he lets the interviewee speak.

wow great interview with a humble awesome guy

I’m mildly interested in most of these reviewed, with this guy Neil I was really engaged. He is very interesting and genuine guy.

That was an awesome interview with Neil. Thanks man!!

YESSSS, SOMEONE ELSE FINALLY MENTIONED THAT SOLO!!!!!!! The Shadows of the Night solo is one of my favorite solos ever, I always wanted to hear him talk about that!!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!

I really like spider and I was playing some of his Rick Springfield stuff before I knew it was his riffs because I thought it was just cool and when he finally got with Pat it was pure magic, and I agree! (Under rated)

I'll never forget seeing them in 1982. At the Providence civic center in Providence, Rhode Island with Billy Squire. Opening the show on his don't say no Tour. I'm pretty sure that the ticket price was Six dollars and fifty cents! Both bands were great... A perfect pairing. Those tight stretch pants and little boots she wore😳! Rock and roll heaven for this fifteen year old.😎

Love his guitar playing. His work on hell is for children is just plain eerie, I just love it!

So much information for my ears. I've stood front row center many times and seen him first hand. I was really there for Pat, though. Some people Do come to hear her sing. ;)

Neil so cool and laid back. Props dude!