The Smithereens - "Top Of The Pops"

[@rzlynt10]

I agree with Andy-O, The Smithereens are among one of the most underrated bands in Rock-n-Roll history

[@pendletone77]

One of the best pure rock and roll bands to ever roam the earth.

[@Joeysnare1]

I played on the same circuit with these guys in the early 80s; not only a great band but a NICE bunch of guys, which is rare in that scene.

[@jonwebster6172]

Nice...we were the house band at the Rock Burger in Myrtle Beach...a club down the strip also had a house band...it was Hootie & the Blowfish pre-signing...we would catch them on our breaks for a quick shot on breaks and at times they did the same...we thought we smoked a lot of weed...these guys put us to shame...anyone buying Darius's story it was a friend from College is mis-lead. Myself and our singer Tommy were watching them on MTV when they were asked how they got their name...we busted out laughing calling Bullshit...yet Weed wasn't as socially acceptable back then so they couldn't really say "hey were pot heads"...lol...

[@christosfragias592]

So sad to hear about Pat's passing. The Smithereens were a band that definitely knew how to pen and record great rock hits. Rest in Rock Pat.

[@tonyajohnson827]

This band helped me get through the eighties...These guys were so much better than so many bands around that time I Love Pats' vocals.And the band has always been a tight unit !

[@dannynicastro3207]

Tonya Johnson ...ABSOLUTELY...great performance. Did Not know all of this other stuff they did until now, though. Was and is, yeah...I is🤗, am, its early...a huge Pretenders fan, loved Heart, Led Zep, Doors, Who,...mostly the older stuff.😉

[@nickditaranto9849]

Now this is a guitar band!

[@whammer0411]

Great sound, another lost too soon. Rest In Peace Pat.

[@hofnerjoe]

I was in the green room during this performance taped around 4-5pm .Then I inivited the guys to come my bands gig later that night in Hollywood. Pat, Jim and Dennis showed up (Mike was a bit under the weather) Had a few beers with them after our show and talked about how boring this new thing called "grunge" was.Later hooked up with Mike and Dennis who came to a show in NYC while I was touring. Very cool guys.

[@nunz1]

the best live pure rock band I have ever seen. Pat D amazing singer/songwriter!

[@blown22]

I keep repeating myself but these guys shoulda been fkn HUGE!!!

[@alexbreyer6921]

If you make it on MTV and the Hit 100 charts...you are pretty damn big. It's not like they were just a regional touring band.

[@blown22]

Well, sure they were pretty big, but c'mon, their musicianship coupled with Pat's songwriting and singing was good enough that they should have been a lot, lot bigger during their commercial peak in the late 1980s. For some reason their music never resonated enough that they became hugely popular, which I always found puzzling. Their two best selling singles BARELY cracked the US top 40, and they only had one album that sold well enough to reach the top 50.

[@JohnnyNation]

My favorite tune ever by these guys !!! I've read the guitarist is a banker- never completely left his day gig. Rest in Peace Pat Dinizio/ You gave us your all !!!###

[@davidsmith7806]

These guys need to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, John.

[@JohnnyNation]

​@@davidsmith7806They need to get rid of the non-Rock acts first to make room !!!###

[@2008alde]

Love this friggin band so much ... Pat DiNizio is so sorely missed but gave us great music ... If the Ramones knew how to write, play and sing ... they just might sound like these guys

[@Focused-ni9qh]

Whoever disliked this is a total square!! Best band ever!!!

[@stevepaul6955]

These guys definitely need to be in the RRHOF.

[@richardsolis6274]

nice call...

[@martinleavitt6094]

These.guys.kicked.HairBands.ASS.!!!!..rock.at.its.whips.Finest!!!!!.rock.on.......

[@martinleavitt6094]

Top.3.underrated...all.time.....

[@DavidSmith-xk9lo]

Steve Paul AMEN!

[@dannynicastro3207]

David Smith ...without a doubt! HNY...2019...🕊🦅GO EAGLES!

[@tomyg2]

Bought this album when it first came out. Great band, thanks for posting.

[@zaenkmus]

Great band! Song sounds even better live...catchy tune. It grows on you, I only found it so-so at the time and feel bad about that in retrospect!

[@OPTIMISPOOH]

PURE as it Gets, THIS is what's called catchy no frills ROCK AND ROLL!!!

[@strangepilgrims]

Underrated greatness indeed. I saw them last year (2009) and they were terrific. DInizio was very gracious and involved the crowd. Jim played guitar with an effortless brilliance that reminded me of Joe Walsh, and their new bassist is a charming wild man. Now if we could just edit Dennis Miller out of this clip......

[@stevenmercer8299]

I have a Jim guitar pick from Milford, CT. Always a great live band.

[@K4Fusion]

Dennis MIller was such a putz with this. Oyvey. The Smithereens were, and are, spectacular artists. Love Pat and his writing talents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@Bysanthus]

Rest In Peace Pat Dinizio

[@mjjmerritt]

I've followed them since the beginning and continue to see them live around here in Jersey...their anniversary concert in Carteret was incredible...they continue to involve their fans, and I'm still shocked that people will mention Springsteen, Bon Jovi yet fail to acknowlege the contributions of this band, whose music i think holds up far better throughout time. Springsteen can be so political and dated, and Bon Jovi is a great 80's flashback, but today...really? Give it up for The Smithereens!

[@dannynicastro3207]

mjjmerritt ...politics will fuck the music up EVERYTIME!!!!! Cept if the lyrics and such are meant to be political. Then at times, one will flush ones self down the toilet a la Bono Style. Boo Hoo Bono. Aint missing you guys a bit. Come back with some old style U2, please, if you would be so kind...if you all come back at all.🤗 HNY 2019

[@dannynicastro3207]

mjjmerritt ...i agree sooo much in 2019. See my other comment.🕊🦅

[@crapple009]

Love Top Of The Pops and the Smithereens!!

[@drumhd1]

That was absolutely freakin killer!

[@markuswelly7552]

These guys are soooo good. Love reading all the passion in these morsels of memories you all right about. I was radio DJ and a couple progressive rock and alternative rock stations up in the mountains of Colorado back in the early 80's but never came across these Jersey Boys. I would have played the hell out of their music. I owe all my Smithereens knowledge to the great 91x in San Diego. Good to listen to all these tracks again...and again...and again...til I blow my speakers to Smithereens!

[@LSommer]

2021 still Smithereening! 💪❤️😜

[@danielhayes7967]

My all time fave from the Jersey Titans. Group that saved 80's Rock.

[@chuzedaredbluepill8679]

Wow! With all the chaos around the world I didn't hear that Pat had passed! He was 3 years YOUNGER than me... just not right - but we have one massive set of hits to remember him and the boys from Jersey by, all of them! RIP Pat.., got your music on my box I love the Smithereens!!!

[@ericbohm1981]

Love the ending of this live version.

[@SteveJonesPerezCom]

My favorite ROCK BAND From the 80s RIP Pat DiNizio a GENIUS!!!

[@protoindie]

2012, almost 2013...and this guys are still keeping this world full of genuine rock n roll!...

[@alenemarie]

I miss Pat and The Smithereens so much. They’re all great people. ❤

[@Subwayguy98]

I have been a fan since the early 1980's and I gotta tell ya-this is the best band out there!

[@willkraemer6941]

Seen them several times great live band most undsrated band of all time

[@kevinnobody3052]

Been rockin' to these guys since the early 90s. First introduction was "Blood and Roses and I've been hooked on 'em ever since.

[@mdduckman]

RIP Pat...so sad to learn of your passing. Great song, great band.

[@TheInjest]

now this is what i call "dad rock"--some music that you can really blast while you're watching Home Improvement down in your dad cave. Ya feel me? "top top top of the pop ('ey heyyyy)"

[@highnumber9494]

TheInjest Sounds like a 70's Kinks tune to me.

[@antlers163]

They were a great band. Unique and original. Loved em’.

[@sssheva]

WONDERFUL!! Thanks for digging this one out of the vaults!!

[@newwavequeenchristin]

Miller... what a DORK. He just hated the fact that THEY upstaged him on his own show!! hahahaha. What a ROCKIN' performance!!!!! WOW. Thank you for posting this!!

[@georgeguttler9364]

just perfect in every way......

[@SooziinCa]

I always had a little thing for Pat DiNizio! Love this band!

[@stevengatewood2725]

Met Pat a few times. Very nice, down to earth guy.

[@CHaas-bn3xi]

So sad pat died so young one of the greatest to ever step on stage

[@SteveJonesPerezCom]

Always loved this band....RIP Pat...We'll miss you..

[@larrydrozd2740]

Why does this sound like it was just released last week?? TIMELESS!!

[@tonyajohnson1059]

I definitely had a thing for Pat....The band of all bands....

[@smithereensfan]

great performance by a great band. as said here before, very real, very gracious guys too. this band should have been ENORMOUS, and really never quite understood why they werent. long live this REAL rock group.

[@patrickcooper7534]

Truly great band still rocking today relentless driving melt your face band!!!!!

[@ericwilson5428]

R.I.P Pat....

[@terryjames548]

If you drive down Nottingham Way in Village Green in Hillsbororo NJ off you might hear this ....

[@carletoncandis635]

Rest forever Pat DiNizio

[@21550spurs]

Love it!

[@flojogrande]

They are totally awesome live! They are great with their fans too after their shows. There was a clip on here from Saturday Night Live doing "The Blues Before and After" circa late 80's, but it disappeared. Don't know what happened to it. I guess Saturday Night live was going to miss a few pennies instead of allowing some fans to enjoy some great ass Rock and Roll. Pat tore up the lead on that which was surprissing since Jimmy usually does that stuff.

[@denro0]

R.I.P, Pat.....ToP oF ThE PoPs !

[@duffbaker9554]

One word: DiNizio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ConnieLingus69]

I've talked to them after gigs a few times. I also went to one of Pat's "Birthday Concerts" (10/2008) at his house.THAT was an interesting experience... I don't know if it was it was close to Halloween, but Pat's living room looked like a shrine to horror movies. The catering ? Pizza and cans of beer, all included in the 50.00 ticket. Very unpretentious, and very welcome.

[@BettinaBalser]

Also (and I must always mention this), they are some of the nicest guys you will ever meet. Very, very good to their fans.

[@CanadianDrifter777]

Great upload. Totally agree, The Smithereens were very underrated. They rock so hard on all their songs. Love it man. Peace to everyone here :)

[@davidsmith7806]

Legends. 🙏

[@lixie1]

Can't wait to see them again soon! Always a great show!

[@jack852494]

One of the best live performances I've ever seen was the Smithereens In Biloxi MS. under the oaks in the mid nineties, and I've seen a bunch!

[@billmercer9917]

So glad they came to Vancouver once upon a time .

[@fugepoo]

amazing thanks

[@simonpaparella4627]

Full respect cool band simo

[@AceBaseKingOfSpace]

The Smithereens did this groove better than anyone else!

[@nothanksdude2767]

Lets go!!

[@sergioalvarado8779]

Superb!

[@johnhoysan9059]

Great show at Musikfest last night!

[@stevensalemi6395]

Best version of TOTP extant! The band is cooking!!!! RIP Pat.

[@sammyday3341]

Excellent songwriters.

[@radio1342]

RIP Pat...

[@scottfraser3200]

Proper rock band

[@johnlancaster182]

Great band!

[@timjulian1264]

grate channel dude,love those timmereens,i mean smithereens,YEA

[@michaeltaylor8401]

these guys rock!

[@krankiekat]

What a great clip of a GREAT band - btw I do love Bun E Carlos as a drummer but Dennis Diken is the world greatest rock & roll drummer - his name is synonymous with The Hal Blaine's Bobby Graham's, Buddy Saltzman's, Jim Keltner's,Jim Gordon's, Ringo's, Mick Avory's, Kenny Jones's in rock & roll to name but a few - Dennis is Top pf the pops - god save the Smithereens!

[@kainnosgoth7336]

Frank Lima Yeah man, Dennis isn't afraid to beat the skins, he keeps a very strong beat and really fills the rythym section just fine!

[@wsndiegoca]

Nice. Thanks!

[@smithereensfan]

and the crowd goes nuts

[@joelbrown4086]

Wow!!

[@stevensalemi6395]

Pat's gone, I can't bear it.

[@Meatcity-sf8fm]

Drummerman is perfection

[@christosfragias592]

What a performance! Raw energetic melodic rock. Attention RRHOF, induction is LONG overdue!

[@davidsmith7806]

Amen! 🙏

[@geneo3654]

How did I miss this band ? They freaking rock !!!!

[@nsmith1586]

:) dont beat your self up. . I was a little late to the band in in 1990's and you bit after. So What. An artist knows how things are.

[@richpeltier9519]

Nice SG Jim! 🤘🧙‍♂️🤘

[@wasp4eva1]

Same here.I always liked this song.I think I saw it on Rage and the video was in some sort of carpark or vacant lot.

[@SomethingReal1119]

@captbob1834 This band makes me proud to say that I'm a Jersey Girl!! (don't live there anymore, lost the accent...BUT, can I confess that I MISS it???? (sshhhhh.....don't tell anyone I said that!) ^_~

[@jonwebster6172]

I saw them at the Stephan Center on the Notre Dame Campus in 89 or 90. It was Pat's Birthday and you could tell he was a little Buzzed. Show was great...they came out for an Encore and proceeded to start playing pieces of Cover tunes and butchered a few, just fucking around and having fun...the Bassist wasn't having any of it and dropped his bass and walked off and he was PISSED.....CLASSIC ROCK STORY...

[@ozbocfan]

I've seen hundreds of bands over 30 years come down to Australia (Jethro Tull, '74 was the best if you want to know). And to my eternal regret there are two monstrously great and criminally under-rated bands that NEVER FUCKING MADE IT HERE!!!! The almighty Smithereens and my second fave band of all time, Blue Oyster Cult. Oh man what I wouldn't have given to see those two live but they are both still rockin' and the epitome of unspoilt, play-cos-you-love-it rock and roll. Tour forever boys !!!

[@neilcarroll8833]

Smithereens toured Oz in early ‘92 - I went to the Palace show (in St Kilda) not knowing what to expect. They were incredible - full Marshall backline and loud!!!

[@neilcarroll8833]

Also saw Tull in ‘74 at Brisbane Festival Hall - brilliant.

[@professorjams]

They reached me.

[@michaelbeasley5783]

What makes them so good, imho, is the songwriting. Lyrically, they were supremely fetchinng. Like Tom Petty, not virtuoso instrumentalists--but artists nonetheless. Not that the instrumental composition was bad--oh no, it was good. But to me they were rock Poets. Blood and Roses is so lyrically satisfying.

[@johnhamblin4440]

I.never.knew Pat.played Lead Guitar

[@gibbley]

i like to rock

[@kkamins]

durham, nc next week!

[@lixie1]

JIMMY, GO!

[@jkoz8821]

great live version. yeah they are a great underapreciated band with great songs and musicians a like. it's funny I always have liked them but I first saw them in 1996-7 at the Fdl county fair in wisconsin. the thing is they accually weren't the first choice for the headliner. smash mouth was the orig. lol they were in and popular in the 90's but they kinda blow. I'm so glad I saw the smithereens instead. they played great with high energy. (pat accidentally swore several times before realizing it was a county fair and not the regular gigs. i thought it was funny and everyone had a good time. my next concert wasn't until almost 2o years later in the summer of 2015. let me tell you they sounded equally as great as the previous concert. sure mike left but his replacement is equally as compitent with a bit less stage flash. also pat has gained a few pounds but so have I because we all do as we age. pat and Dennis were super solid and Jim was great he really ripped it up on his tele. It was a street concert several thousand ppl I would say. it was a great time. so go see them if they come your way.

[@stewartwatling4221]

RIP Pat Dinizio

[@dryter]

And Dennis Miller shows that yet another late night host looks like a stooge trying to interview a rock and roll musician. Even someone as cool as Pat DiNizio.

[@richardsolis6274]

Luv your post

[@kevinsbott]

They should have a special section in every record store for non-genetically modified music :-) smithereens would be the first choice!

[@SooziinCa]

I have always had a little thing for Pat DiNizio.....EVEN since he gained his weight!

[@richardsolis6274]

Hey hey hey...luv me lots of smithereens....& dennis miller blows