The Smithereens, in a vintage publicity shot (from left, Pat DiNizio, Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros and Dennis Diken).
After Pat DiNizio died in December 2017 — and the 2018 New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees were announced, soon after — I wrote a post about how fans could encourage the New Jersey Hall of Fame to honor him by inducting the band in 2019. Well, the deadline for fans to recommend The Smithereens — or anyone else — is Oct. 1. So I thought I’d share this link again: njhalloffame.org/recommend-a-njhof-nominee. There, fans can lobby for The Smithereens’ inclusion on the ballot.
If you want to nominate The Smithereens, use “1980” as the birthdate, “Carteret” as the town of residence, and “Performing Arts” as the induction category.
In other Smithereens news, the band will perform at the free, outdoor Fall Hoboken Arts and Music Festival, Sept. 30 at 4:30 p.m. Marshall Crenshaw will join surviving members Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros on lead vocals and guitar, in place of DiNizio. More information and the band schedule is HERE.
Also, surviving members of DiNizio’s side band, The Scotch Plainsmen (named after his hometown), will reunite for a “Birthday Bash Tribute,” to him, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at Crossroads in Garwood. (Oct. 12 will mark the 63rd anniversary of DiNizio’s birth.). Joining the Scotch Plainsmen will be other musician friends of DiNizio, including Marc Jonson and Joe D’Urso.
