Pat Benatar gets key to Babylon Town

Above, Pat Benatar gets a warm welcome from Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. At left, crowd of fans cheer and enjoy welcoming one of Babylon's own. Photos by Cliff De Bear

Pat Benatar was happy to be home, and her hometown was happy to have her.

The rock star who grew up in Lindenhurst and went on to become one of the most influential women in the history of rock and roll, received the Key to Babylon on the steps of Babylon Town Hall last week in front of a crowd of fans who traveled from near and far.

"It gave us an opportunity to honor one of our citizens who accomplished some incredible feats in her field," said Babylon Town Supervisor Steve Bellone. "Among other things, she won four consecutive Grammy's for best female rock vocal and we are proud of the fact that she is from Babylon."

Two Lindenhurst High School vocalists, Tina Hamay and Kately Gleason, sang two of Benatar’s most popular songs, Love is a Battlefield and Hit Me With Your Best Shot. At one point, Benatar joined in.

Benatar grew up on North Hamilton Avenue in Lindenhurst and graduated from Lindenhurst Schools. Her husband, who accompanied her to Babylon with the couple’s two children, Hana and Halley, recalled his first visit to the Town several years ago.

"It was like Happy Days," he told Bellone in describing his impression of the town during that tour.

Babylon residents enjoyed the event, as did some of Benatar’s fan club. Several traveled from Albany, Atlantic City and Virginia to attend the ceremony honoring Benatar.

Benatar took her daughters past the house she grew up in, and then to Wellwood Avenue where they got some pizza and then Italian ices at Patsy’s Bakery.

Of special interest to the singer was the news that the Lindenhurst Movie Theater was the subject of interest by developers. "She remembers going there and thought, as we do, that it would be a shame to see that theater go," said Bellone. "She has pledged to work with us to preserve it in some way.

Bellone said he has spoken to Lindenhurst Village Mayor Lynda Distler and that the two were meeting to discuss several approaches that they could take to maintaining the theater, including seeking some assistance from the Town’s Industrial Development Agency and other levels of government.

"It’s just an important site," said Bellone. "Our town’s history includes the people and the places that have made it what it is today and they are all part of what we are and what we will be in the future."