This one hurts. I knew him a little & hung out a few times. The last time was in Vegas where he had somehow gotten a gig at the old Riviera with a solo show. Talked awhile after the show. Smithereens were a great band!

[variety.com]

Oh no, really sad news - what a great songwriter. RIP Pat.

Great reference to Bill Wyman in this song too -

here's the song with the wyman (& jeanie shrimpton) reference

video: [www.youtube.com]

Loved this band from when I first heard "Blood and Roses" on WHFS back in its heyday as an alternative music station. So many cool songs. RIP Mister DiNizio.

Blood and Roses

[www.youtube.com]

WoW, Shocker...

Oh...sad. I still have their first cassette from the '80s with Wall of Sleep, etc.
They were one of the few real new rock bands who with real instruments vs. alot of the other sterile '80's drum machine and synthesizer enhanced new wave music.


RIP Pat DiNizio.

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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......

Great band. Sad news.

Yes Great band. Pat was too young to leave...RIP

God Save the Smithereens still stands up for me, thank you Pat!!

He was ill for a long time. I saw the band on PBS a while back, and Pat had gained a very large amount of weight, probably at least 75 or 100 pounds. I looked up what happened to him, and apparently the weight gain was caused by steroids he took for an autoimmune disorder that was life-threatening. He said his entire body was covered with hives before he went on medication. He had lost some of the weight in recent years, but he had other problems. I'd never paid much attention to the Smithereens, but they were very good on that PBS show.

I was just listening to their Christmas album which is the one of the most rockin' Xmas albums ever!

It also has some great liner notes by the drummer that mention those Christmas albums from the 60's that were put out by Good Year and Grants and sold for a buck. It was his first record with Johnny Cash on it (and mine too!)


I can think of seeing a show by the Smithereens on MTV in which the encore was "The Seeker." They had great taste.

RIP Pat.

Very sad. Caught the Smithereens in Fremantle (port for Perth) gee, about 16-18 years ago?? EXPLOSIVE bass driven rock. RIP Pat.

Rod

I grew my goatee because Pat looked so cool. He will be truly be missed.

he was such a nice guy. when i saw him in vegas we had a long, far reaching conversation. the gig was a nice payday for him. i know he had a daughter. thoughts & prayers out to her.

I liked this band. Seems that a lot of folks are kickin' it nowadays....we're losing all the good ones. RIP

He rocked.
RIP