The Smithereens formed in
Carteret in 1980 with Pat DiNizio,
Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros, and
Dennis Diken. The band would
have a run of rock radio hits in
the eighties and nineties includ-
ing “Blood and Roses,” “Behind
the Wall of Sleep,” “A Girl Like
You,” “Top of the Pops,” and
“Too Much Passion.” In addition
to their own originals, the band
also put out wonderful albums
covering The Beatles and The
Who, furthering their resume as
a modern British Invasion band.
To me, The Smithereens are
one of the best rock and roll
bands to ever come from Jersey,
and one of the most underrated
bands around. They combined
a Jersey rock and roll vibe with
a Beatlesque sound. The band’s
breakthrough release, Especially
for You , was one of the best al-
bums of the 1980s and sounds
as fresh today as it did the day
it was released. Pat DiNizio was
a wonderful songwriter who will
be missed greatly.
We’ve lost many rockers in re-
Watch a video for “Behind The Wall of Sleep” by The Smithereens
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 43
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