The Smithereens' Jim Babjak remembers bandmate Pat DiNizio

Smithereens lead guitarist and co-founder Jim Babjak, like the rest of us, was taken completely by surprise at the passing of lead singer Pat DiNizio. Here he gives his favorite memories with Steve Trevelise.
Babjak's last name is spelled incorrectly in the video, we apologize for this error.
New to the page? Subscribe above!
Visit our website: nj1015.com/
Like us on Facebook: / nj1015
Follow us: / nj1015
Receive our newsletter: nj1015.com/regi...
For any licensing requests please contact [e-mail]

[@gwynnromano5881]

Band was so underrated.

[@joejohnston6306]

firstly , by their own piss poor record company and their rep's who didn't get out and do their goddamn JOB , secondly by that ass wipe of a magazine Rolling Stone who attacked the band for trying to mimmic The Beatles . . . . you don't know your ass from a hole in the ground Jeff . . . The Smithereens had a $ 2,000.00 album deal right out of the gate with Enigma Records which was pathetic , however they soldiered on in spite , made 13 more albums of which 2 went platinum ,11 movie soundtrack , 1000's of shows , toured in support of Tom Petty and several other tours . . . you are a shmuck and most likely are still living in your mothers basement , so you better get upstairs before your momma catches you watching porn on the internet and have your hot cocoa and tuna sandwich

[@ldjackson8656]

Agree, just a super band. They were "politically incorrect." That was the main reason they didn't catapult to major success. I read that years ago; they just didn't fit in with the West Coast libs, had their own minds and their own sound.

[@corpcapt2583]

everyone but you.

[@christopherallen9580]

Nirvana was influenced by the Smithereens

[@milesu.7045]

Unbelievably underrated....

[@isolationdisorder]

One of the greatest Rock and Roll Bands of all time.

[@samlelowitch]

Unquestionably yes.

[@hertzair1186]

Agreed. Babjak a class act

[@jefflaliberte7]

The most underrated band in the history of Rock n Roll. Pat You will be missed.

[@williambannister6430]

RIP Pat. You will be missed brother. Rock on.

[@matt21571]

Love Jim Babjak, and Dennis Diken , and Mike Mesaros. And of course Pat DiNizio. The Smithereens kicked ass. Always.

[@stewartwatling1445]

Loved The Smithereens...underrated for sure...Sad to hear of Pats passing...condolences to those that loved Pat...R.I.P Pat Dinizio.

[@zerotolerance4216]

I can remember the first time I heard these guys way back in Jr. High and totally blown away! Godspeed Pat! Thanks for all the awesome music.

[@tosaeast6032]

Jimmy Babjak is a friend and a great person. I'll miss Pat.

[@rc.8324]

So you must be from Long Island???

[@willb5240]

Jim and all of the band were a class act. Pat had one of the best voices ever in Rock and it's very sad to lose him, but his music will always be a part of me. Thank you for the memories, and rest in peace my friend.

[@cjmaslowski1112]

Pat you will be missed dearly hope you keep rocking in your next life may you rest in peace 💟🕊️

[@snaholo]

RIP Pat D . . . great singer/ songwriter & all around nice guy . . . hard to believe - & Jim Babjak is one of the best rock guitarists around (quiet as it's kept) - the Smithereens were always a great live band - I hope they can find a way to keep it going. Looking forward to giving Pat a proper sendoff at the Basie on 1/13 . . .

[@stephenhall8892]

I hope they can continue playing with guest singers.Jim is so competent.I love seeing them live so much.

[@Cuckoo4thetruth]

I really miss Pat, love all the guys who played thru the years. Thank you and I’m sorry for your loss.

[@idiotxposer2383]

God bless your soul , Pat. Great song writer, singer! love the chimmy tunes!

[@jeffsahs2089]

Idiot xposer we needed pat.rock and roll heaven.

[@wolfstyle68]

In Santa Clara,at One step beyond,during the Green Thoughts tour,Fred,my very first band mate(I was bass,Fred was rhythm guitar)and my dearest friend,had a private chat with pat at the bus door after the show,telling him that we left our car in S.F. and that we needed a ride back. Though in reality, my car was in that very parking lot,as I lived in neighboring san jose.😁We came to the show in my 68 Ford LTD,which I still own.So Fred and I rode the bus with the band back to the city where their hotel was.On the way up,Pat watched Batman on a small tv in the wall with a video player. Batman was doing his "Batdance" in that episode. Running his fingers across his eyes. I'm pretty sure that was "Pat television"!❤ Thanks for the memories,Pat.

[@gruberpg]

The Smithereens were an awesome band with a distinct sound!

[@chrisb5058]

Jim you are the nicest man...Rock on dude...:)

[@jamesearl389]

God bless you, Pat. Always been a fan and I'll look ya up when I get there!

[@ssunfish]

It blows my mind that Blow Up was in record stores just two weeks before Nevermind! I remember going to Music Plus in Atascadero, California and seeing Blow up and buying it. I hate buying things on impulse, but every now and again I come across a "no-brainer" and I love that surge if confidence that I'm not wasting my money.

[@chargerfan2]

I remember taking a road trip in the girlfriends (now my wife) car in the mid 90's and brought some tapes (Yes Tapes!) to listen to like English Beat, Oingo Boingo, Depeche Mode and Blown to Smithereens. She never really listened to The Smithereens. I left the tape in her car and never got it back, got the rest back though. She loved it. RIP Pat!

[@seanmeisner3190]

Your girlfriend's car is now yer wife??? Sorry...

[@chargerfan2]

Better?

[@danelogan1532]

A real rock band.

[@joethompson2910]

Saw these guys twice!….. Freekin good Rock band!

[@joethompson2910]

Btw Jim & guys … Im avail to play… Im 65 now but been doin it since I was 12….

[@gmar7836]

I feel bereft that we lost Pat. He was a real loss.

[@MartyMcFlyV]

I just found out now.So sad.I just did a drum cover of 'Point of no return' and thought I would like to see another drummers version of it.......I only found mine. Oh, and another of mine couple years ago I forgot about. Then I heard this new's.He wrote such great tune's.Great at romantic rock tunes to.Never got his just due, or the band for that matter.

[@raycervenak6122]

Kent Stage....Great Performance.....A Great Memory.....RIP Pat

[@RCAvhstape]

These guys, with better marketing, etc., could've been up there with Echo and the Bunnymen, Stone Roses, and a lot of other bands in terms of fame, but even without that they built a solid fan base and never gave up, and if you ever met them they were always cool.

[@daviddemaria3982]

Maybe I was focused on the Smithereens more than those others you mentioned, but seems like they had a lot more exposure during the MTV era.

[@limboigah]

Please, for the love of all things decent, update your video title and description. BABJAK!

[@FanOfFab4]

Agreed they should spell his name right

[@melissaseng2561]

💔💔💔

[@DaveSosidka]

Pretty ironic to hear this interview, considering the station NEVER plays the Smithereens.

[@quadracadejewel]

Steve Trevelise is a fan and friend of the band. That's probably why they did this interview

[@louiszammichieli5438]

I'm sure it sounds great and was a good tribute, but why would a band of their caliber need to to cover an entire album of early Beatles?

[@Timpriestley]

They didn't NEED to; it was for fun!!!!

[@shroomhilda]

They also did Tommy in it's entirety!!!

[@MIKECNW]

stopped listening after he mentions destroying a hotel room.

[@222Lightning]

only bas a&* MFers destroy hotel rooms!

[@rc.8324]

.......and that would because, whyyyyy?!

[@MIKECNW]

@@rc.8324 why do you think?