<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UNZbP3ZVem4" frameborder="0" gesture="media" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>Saw the Smithereens many times in the late '80s -- most memorably a Stone Pony show broadcast live on WNEW-FM before which Edward Natoli and I visited a Palace Amusements overrun with crack dealers -- but my favourite Pat DiNizio anecdote occurred when the band opened for Squeeze at Jones Beach. 'We're the Smithereens!' cried DiNizio. Silence. 'We're the SMITHEREENS!' he cried again, eliciting weak applause. 'We're the FUCKIN' SMITHEREENS!' The Long Island crowd went wild. A band that good shouldn't have had to work so hard to be appreciated. Maybe DiNizio's passing at 62 will bring long-overdue acclaim. RIP to the pride of Scotch Plains, NJ.
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1 comment:
Last saw the band July 3 2016 at Sellersville PA. Pat's right arm was useless, I did not know that he had fallen down and had nerve damage. I thought it was due to a stroke. Having seen a number of their shows since 2011, I really felt horrible, like seeing your favorite player that time has passed.
Had hoped to see the band on 11/4/17 at New Hope, but that show was cancelled as Pat had a setback/another fall. I saw they were going to play the Count Basie in Jan 2018 and was going to buy tix- but, that day will never come.
He seemed like a real genuine, decent man, the songs def rang of someone with inner demons, who can't relate to that?
RIP Pat, your talent and person will be missed.
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