Little Steven Van Zandt is hosting a concert tonight in New Jersey to pay tribute to the late Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, a show that will be streamed live online and will feature DiNizio’s surviving bandmates fronted by Van Zandt, as well as Patty Smyth and Scandal.
Also appearing on the bill at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, N.J.: Marshall Crenshaw, Ted Leo, Robin Wilson of The Gin Blossoms, Freedy Johnston, Richard Barone of The Bongos, Graham Maby, Peter Zaremba and Keith Streng of The Fleshtones, Bebe Buell and many more.
DiNizio died last month at the age of 62. His bandmates — Jim Babjack, Dennis Diken, Mike Mesaros and Severo Jornacion — all will perform at the concert put together by Van Zandt.
“With the sudden, tragic passing of Pat DiNizio, I think it’s appropriate that we take this moment to pay tribute to him,” Van Zandt said in a statement. “I will be honored to sing a few of his songs with the band.”
Tickets to the concert still are available, and a portion of the sales will go toward establishing the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship at the Count Basie Theatre’s Performing Arts Academy. Fans watching the online stream will also be encouraged to contribute toward the scholarship fund.
Diken, the Smithereens’ founding drummer, adds:
“I’m heartened and overwhelmed — though not surprised — at the outpouring of love for Pat since his recent passing. I know there will be a lot of love in the room on Saturday night as we celebrate Pat’s life and music, and I think the DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship offers a wonderful way to keep his spirit alive and pass along his passion for music and self-expression to enlighten young musicians for generations to come.”
The concert is at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight and will be streamed at theBASIE.org.
TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT @CountBasieThtr Red Bank NJ This night is Especially for you Pat❤️ @littlesteven_ug @StevieVanZandt
— Smithereens Official (@TexRemy) January 13, 2018
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Pat DiNizio, The Smithereens’ lead singer and songwriter with ‘the magic touch,’ 1955-2017
- The Smithereens reunite with Mike Mesaros, recording new album — watch this 3-hour set
- The Smithereens mark 25th anniversary of ‘Green Thoughts’ with digital live/rarities set
- The Smithereens’ Pat DiNizio releases jazzy Christmas single — stream ‘Winter Wonderland’
- The Smithereens return with all-new ’2011′ album; stream first single ‘Sorry’
- The Smithereens marking 30th anniversary with homecoming concert
