Benatar, REO Team For ‘Love On The Run’

You could spend all day naming songs by REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar that shot to the top of the charts during the 1970s and ‘80s. REO had a steady presence on album radio during the 70s with popular tracks like “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” “Keep Pushin’” and “Like You Do.” REO’s 1977 live album – Live: You Get What You Play For – did for the band what Frampton Comes Alive did for Peter and Live Bullet did for Bob Seger, establishing the band as a must-see concert act and paved the way for a series of hit singles yet to come, including “Take It On the Run,” “Time For Me To Fly” and the band’s first No. 1 single – 1980’s “Keep On Lovin’ You.”

Like REO, Benatar is also responsible for a lot of great moments in rock. Her first hit single – “Heartbreaker” – lit up the phones at radio station stations across the country in 1979, paving the way for a flood of hits from the diminutive singer with the big voice. As MTV began changing the way the world viewed music, Benatar was at the forefront of the video revolution as she scored hits with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Fire & Ice,” “Love Is A Battlefield” and “We Belong.” Touring with her husband, guitarist Neil Giraldo, Benatar has constantly rocked audiences for almost 30 years.

The “Love On The Run” tour begins in Uncasville, Conn., at the Mohegan Sun Arena June 24, moves to Rutland, Vt., and the Vermont State Fairgrounds June 25 and plays Atlantic City at Caesars June 26. Other stops include Vienna, Va. (June 29), Atlanta (July 1), Orlando (July 3), St. Louis (July 10), Chicago (July 18), Las Vegas (July 23) and Los Angeles (July 31). Last stop on the tour is Aug. 27 in Gilford, N.H., at the US Cellular Pavilion.

While some dates are already on sale, Atlantic City goes up March 6, Atlanta March 7 and Uncasville March 19.

REO Speedwagon has teamed with I Love All Access to present a variety of VIP packages. The “Love On The Run” tour is also partnering with “Blessings In A Backpack” – a nonprofit group that provides weekend meals to needy school kids. For more information on the “Love On The Run” tour, click here for REO’s Web site and here for Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo’s Web home.