1. Neil Giraldo has performed, written and produced for artists including Rick Derringer, John Waite, Rick Springfield, Kenny Loggins, Steve Forbert, The Del-Lords, Scott Kempner, and Beth Hart.
22 Facts About Neil Giraldo
1. 2.
Neil Giraldo was born on December 29,1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating from Parma Senior High School in Parma, Ohio, to Sicilian parents, Anthony and Angela Neil Giraldo.
3.
At the age of six, Neil Giraldo received his first guitar as a gift from his parents.
4.
Neil Giraldo later started playing in local bands at the age of 14, venturing into nightclubs with his uncle, who sang while Giraldo played the guitar.
5.
Neil Giraldo learned to play the piano at the age of 12, and afterwards learned the drums.
6.
Neil Giraldo began his professional music career in 1978 as a member of the Rick Derringer band after competing alongside 200 fellow guitarists for the position.
7.
Neil Giraldo provided his guitar, as well as piano skills for Derringer's 1979 recording of Guitars and Women.
8.
Neil Giraldo has performed on every Benatar album and produced all but two.
9.
The album featured the Neil Giraldo penned hit "We Live for Love".
10.
Also on the album was the controversial song "Hell Is for Children," co-written by Neil Giraldo, which was inspired by a New York Times article about child abuse in America The album peaked for five consecutive weeks at No 2 in the US and was featured in the 1981 adult animated musical drama film American Pop.
11.
Precious Time marked the first of many Benatar albums produced by Neil Giraldo, and was released in July 1981, reaching No 1 on the Billboard US Top 200 LP chart, followed in late 1982 by Get Nervous, which reached No 4 in the US and earned RIAA and CRIA platinum certifications.
12.
Neil Giraldo was the producer for the John Waite album Ignition, released on May 21,1982.
13.
Neil Giraldo began film scoring in 2001 with his debut work for the film Nailed, starring Harvey Keitel.
14.
In 2004 Neil Giraldo was the film composer for the film Smile, which featured Sean Astin, Beau Bridges, and Linda Hamilton.
15.
In September 2019, Neil Giraldo received the AFMX 2019 Music Award, as part of the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience Festival.
16.
In 2017, Neil Giraldo founded and is the chairman of Steel Bending Spirits LLC Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the spirits company released its inaugural offering, Three Chord Bourbon in July 2018.
17.
Neil Giraldo has been a long time advocate for the support of children and their well-being.
18.
Since 1996 Neil Giraldo has been hosting and performing at fundraising events and lending assistance to the non-profit organization, The Children's Lifesaving Foundation.
19.
In 2016 Neil Giraldo became involved with the Oakland School for the Arts, a charter school located in Oakland California.
20.
In September 2019, Neil Giraldo received the AFMX 2019 Music Award, as part of the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience Festival.
21.
On October 15,2019, Neil Giraldo was co-nominated with his wife for induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
22.
Neil Giraldo's nomination came for his co-creating the Pat Benatar band, where he was lead guitarist, songwriter and producer for 40 years.