Pat Benatar Re-Cap

Thanks to everyone who came out for Friday's concert! Pat was amazing live and all had a good time! Erin and Sarah show off the Rockin' on the Riverfront stage in front of the GM Renaissance Center

Andiamo Riverfront workers Dawn and Jen decked out for Pat Benatar

Observer and Eccentric Newspapers -- Pink! Girls Night Out winners

Pat and Neil rockin' out on stage

Next up: Michigan natives Mark Farner and Mitch Ryder will take Riverfront Plaza by storm on July 11.

Be there or be square!

Pat Benatar: Ready to Rock the D TONIGHT!

Happy Friday, all! Hope you all are ready for the kick-off concert tonight with Pat Benatar!

If you have any questions about parking or anything regarding the concert, please feel free to email the Rockin' on the Riverfront team at rockinontheriverfront@gmail.com. We'll be sure to respond quickly! Also, be sure to email us your photos after the show. We'd love to post them on here.

As far as weather, it looks like there is a slight chance for a storm tonight. The only thing that could make seeing Pat unsafe is if there is lightning. We're going to keep our fingers crossed that doesn't happen, but just is case, we'll keep you posted with the status on here.

Get ready to rock, Detroit!

TIME WARP: Pat Sings Truth - Love IS a Battlefield

To gear up for the debut of Rockin' on the Riverfront (kickin' off this Friday!!!), we've decided it's time to pay homage to the leading queen of rock herself, Pat Benatar.

To give credit where it's due, let's review one of her fan favorites and arguably one of THE best songs ever to do karaoke to: LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD.

The song, written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman, was recorded by Pat and was released as a single from Benatar's album Live from Earth, which was popular in the early '80's.

The certified gold single has been her most successful, topping Billboard's Mainstream Rock Chart and making its way to number five on the Billboard Hot 100.

Besides being an incredibly likable song by the masses, one of the coolest elements inspired by the music is its dramatic music video, which depicts Benatar as a teenage runaway who gangs up with her girlfriends to empower women everywhere to do as they please.

The vid was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video in '84 and believe me -- it's worth watching for the 5 minutes it takes to run, even if it's just to take a nostalgic adventure into an '80's time warp.

Detroiters: get ready to do some shimminging, some fist pumps and some mad finger snapping this Friday on Riverfront Plaza. Love is a Battlefield.

-Downtown Detroit Diva

Pat Benatar Will Rock The 'D' on Friday, June 27

Classic rock queen Pat Benatar will take center stage on Friday, June 27 at 8 p.m. to officially kick off the 3rd annual 2008 General Motors Rockin’ On The Riverfront summer concert series.

The Rockin’ On The Riverfront (ROR) concert series features an all-star lineup of classic rock headliners every Friday night from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. June 27 through August 22.

Future ROR concerts include:
· Mark Farner and Mitch Ryder – July 11
· Starship, starring Mickey Thomas – July 18
· Rick Derringer and Classic Rock All Stars featuring original members of Sugarloaf, Rare Earth, Iron Butterfly, Blues Image and Cannibal & the Headhunters – July 25
· The Guess Who – August 1
· Kansas – August 8
· Blue Oyster Cult – August 15
· Foreigner – August 22

Admission to the concerts is free and no advance tickets are necessary. Viewing space will be on a first-come, first-serve basis and people are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. In addition, boaters on the Detroit River are invited to anchor near the riverfront and enjoy the view of the stage from the water.

Refreshments and food concessions will be available at several locations on the plaza. Outside food, beverages or coolers will not be permitted. Additionally, pre-concert dinner options are available at the GM Renaissance Center’s delectable full service restaurants – Coach Insignia, Andiamo Riverfront, Seldom Blues, River Café, Sweet Lorraine’s and Asian Village.

Convenient parking is available for $5 per vehicle at the GM surface lot at the intersection of St. Antoine and Atwater, adjacent to the GM Renaissance Center. Valet parking is also available at the GM Ren Cen North Lobby on Jefferson Avenue.

WCSX radio personality Steve Kostan will be broadcasting live from all concerts and will interview band members and Detroit celebrities prior to each concert.

WCSX will also raffle off a ’69 Camaro at the August 15 Blue Oyster Cult concert as part of The JJ & Lynne’s Stone Soup Project™. Tickets are $25 and proceeds will benefit Forgotten Harvest. Visit www.wcsx.com to purchase tickets.

For more information about ROR, call (313) 568-5600 or visit www.gmrencen.com

Rockin' on the Riverfront 2008!

Welcome to the official blog for Rockin' on the Riverfront -- Detroit's hottest, FREE classic rock concerts on the beautiful, revitalized Riverfront.

After much anticipation, we are finally able to officially announce the bands for the series. We hope you will be satisfied with this year's lineup -- we think it's the biggest and best yet!

Setting the tone for the series will be legendary queen of rock Pat Benatar, who will perform her power hits such as “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” and “Love is a Battlefield” at the June 27 kickoff concert.

Other bands performing throughout the summer on the scenic Riverfront include:

• Mark Farner and Mitch Ryder – July 11
• Starship, starring Mickey Thomas – July 18
• Rick Derringer and Classic Rock All Stars featuring original members of Sugarloaf, Rare Earth, Iron Butterfly, Blues Image and Cannibal & the Headhunters – July 25
• The Guess Who – August 1
• Kansas – August 8
• Blue Oyster Cult – August 15
• Foreigner – August 22

For more detailed information on the series, visit http://www.gmrencen.com/ and click on the Rockin' on the Riverfront tab.

Keep watching this blog, too -- we'll be sure to post all kinds of fun links, photos and videos of the bands to come. Be sure to email us your photos from the concerts and comment on what you like and dislike about each one.

Get ready to party in the the D -- classic rock style!

- Downtown Detroit Diva