The Smithereens wasn’t Pat DiNizio’s only band. For smaller shows, the late singer-songwriter-guitarist also fronted a group called The Scotchplainsmen, named after his hometown. And surviving members of that group — Rick Winow and Sam Fairley on guitars, Bruce Pike on bass and DiNizio’s childhood friend John Hone on percussion — will reunite to pay tribute to him, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. at Crossroads in Garwood.
The Broadcasters will also perform. Clips from DiNizio’s one-man show. “Confessions of a Rock Star,” will be shown. And it’s possible that more musicians will be added to the bill.
Feb. 15 Update: The lineup for this show has grown. Jim Babjak of The Smithereens will join in for a few songs, and other participants will include Joe D’Urso, Kurt Reil of The Grip Weeds, Jim Monaghan, Molly Hone, Marc Jonson, Tom Frangione and Pat Sabbath (members of The Broadcasters playing Black Sabbath songs that DiNizio loved). Monaghan, of WDHA-FM, will also emcee.
Feb. 20 Update: Smithereens drummer Dennis Diken has been added as well.
Tickets are $10, with proceeds going to DiNizio’s mother.
For information, visit xxroads.com or the event’s Facebook page.
A more high-profile tribute, featuring surviving members of The Smithereens as well as musicians such as Steven Van Zandt and Patty Smyth, will take place at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, Jan. 13.
DiNizio died on Dec. 12, at the age of 62.
Here is a clip of DiNizio and The Scotchplainsmen performing Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Ohio” in 2016:
