MONROE — Pat Benatar and Neil “Spyder” Giraldo, the headlining performers for this year’s Evergreen State Fair, have canceled their concert here.
The rockstar couple announced Monday morning that they were calling off a dozen tour dates, including the Aug. 31 concert in Monroe, due to health concerns, said Troy Kleine, the fair’s marketing specialist.
Giraldo injured his eye earlier this month and needs time off to recover from an emergency surgery, according to information posted on the couple’s Facebook page and website. He is expected to make a full recovery.
The fair had already sold 1,202 tickets to the concert in Monroe.
People who paid for tickets with a credit or debit card will be automatically refunded, Kleine said.
Those who paid cash can come to the fair box office or call 360-805-6710 for a refund.
Organizers were scrambling Monday afternoon to find a new performer to play on Aug. 31 with short notice, fairgrounds manager Hal Gausman said.
They were looking into similar acts that might attract the same “older rock” crowd, he said.
Benatar and Giraldo started working together 35 years ago on their debut album, “In the Heat of the Night,” which featured the breakthrough song, “Heartbreaker.”
Benatar went on to become one of the most successful singers of the 1980s, with songs, such as “Love is a Battlefield” and “Hit Me with Your Best Shot.” Giraldo backed her up on guitar and wrote and produced her music.
The couple made history with the hit song “You Better Run,” which was the second music video played on MTV, right behind the Buggles’ song “Video Killed the Radio Star.”
Together Benatar and Giraldo have sold more than 26 million albums and charted 19 Top 40 singles since 1980. They’ve won four Grammy Awards and three American Music Awards.
Amy Nile: 425-339-3192; anile@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @AmyNileReports
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