The Smithereens’ Pat DiNizio Passes Away

Pat DiNizio, singer/songwriter/guitarist/founder of The Smithereens, has passed away. He was 62.

This was not news I was prepared to see first thing in the morning when I got on Facebook.

I effing LOVE The Smithereens. I've always thought they were a severely underrated band, from both the Jersey standpoint and a national one. I've seen them perform a few times, and I've seen Pat do solo shows even more. He joined the Hawk for our "Acoustic Christmas" show years ago at the Headliner in Neptune, he was a part of one of our old Wingstock shows, I saw him do a benefit for a friend of mine at Asbury Lanes, I even spent my birthday watching him do his "Confessions of a Rock Star" show in Asbury Park three years ago. I voted for the man when he ran for Senate in 2000.

DiNizio had been in declining health since a fall at his Scotch Plains home left him with nerve damage. He was still performing, however, and his death came as a shock, at least to me.

Pat DiNizio was really one of the nicest, kindest, most passionate rockstar/celebrities I've ever met.

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