Pat Benatar to perform at Speed Street

From a ASPIRE Communications press release that just popped into my inbox:

HARRISBURG, N.C. (May 7, 2010) – Four-time Grammy-winning female rock vocalist Pat Benatar will light up the Coca-Cola stage at Food Lion Speed Street on Saturday, May 29 accompanied by husband Neil Giraldo, accomplished guitarist, songwriter and producer. As a founding partner of Food Lion Speed Street, Coca-Cola will present this duo for free beginning at 9:15 p.m. ET.

As one of music’s top-selling female artists, Benatar is known for hits like “Love is a Battlefield,” “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “We Belong” and “Heartbreaker.” As designated by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she was one of the 1980’s Top Platinum Album Recipients based on receiving two RIAA-certified multi-platinum albums, five RIAA-certified platinum albums, three RIAA-certified gold albums and 19 Top 40 singles.

“Pat Benatar is a rock icon and to have her performing at Food Lion Speed Street is a great honor for us and the fans,” said Jay Howard, president of JHE Production Group Inc. and event promoter and producer. “The young at heart and today’s youth know her songs and can relate. This will be a powerhouse concert for the city of Charlotte to enjoy.”

By Benatar’s side for many years, both on stage and personally, Giraldo has been the consistent musical leader of the band for more than three decades. He joined forces with Benatar in 1978 prior to making In The Heat of the Night and assumed a position as lead guitarist and musical arranger. Since that time, Giraldo has written numerous songs and helped produce the Crimes of Passion album in 1980. He has produced all of Benatar’s alums since Crimes of Passion and assisted several artists’ with album production as well.

Located in the heart of Charlotte, Food Lion Speed Street delivers an unprecedented experience to an estimated 400,000 fans by means of live entertainment, access to NASCAR’s brightest stars, and vendor displays from sponsors Food Lion, Coca-Cola, Miller Lite, Chevrolet and many more.

Musical performances for the three-day festival begin Thursday, May 27 at one of two stages – the Miller Lite stage located in the parking lot at the corner of Third Street and Poplar Street and the Coca-Cola stage which intersects with East Trade Street and Tryon Street.

Admission to Food Lion Speed Street is free. Gates open each day at 12 p.m. ET. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.600festival.com, Food Lion Speed Street’s Facebook page or follow on Twitter @flspeedstreet.