Blimp Time-Hop: Pat Benatar At The CCCC In 1986

34 years ago today, Pat Benatar returned to the Civic Center in Portland for the second time.  Her first appearance here was four years earlier in November 1982 on tour in support of the just released, Get Nervous album.

That show was a capacity crowd sellout. When she came back on March 2, 1986 however, that night was not. I’ve got a feeling that some of her hardcore fans of the early albums got lost when they heard the new direction. Seven the Hard Way and the Tropico album which preceded it, were more synthesized and a bit softer.

This was the album with Invincible and Sex as a Weapon. Yeah now you remember, huh. Opening the show that night was The Alarm.

Pat has been kind enough to return to Maine 4 more times since that show in ’86. The last time she rocked Portland was in May of 2015 on the Maine State Pier.

Watch and listen to this heartfelt introduction to a powerful performance of Hell Is For Children from the Maine State Pier show.

New Hampshire beats Maine with 17 total Pat appearances from 1980 to 2018. She and her husband, Neil Giraldo are celebrating over 35 years as an incredibly dynamic musical duo and rock's most enduring romance.

Hurry back to Maine you two. We've got some major catching up to do with New Hampshire.