Kenny’s Castaways and The Other
End, then blasted worldwide by
the Enigma, Capitol, RCA, Koch
and eOne Music record labels,
The Smithereens – guitarist Jim
Babjak, drummer Dennis Diken,
bassist Mike Mesaros and dearly
departed lead singer-guitarist Pat
DiNizio – will be inducted into the
New Jersey Hall of Fame on Oct.
27 at the Paramount Theatre in
Asbury Park. The induction will be
surrounded by a swirl of activity,
including appearances Oct. 24 at
The Grammy Museum in Newark
and Oct. 26 at the Pony.
The Grammy Museum, Pony
and one of two songs during the
induction ceremony will feature
lead vocals by longtime friend
Marshall Crenshaw, who contrib-
uted keyboards and six-string
bass to their 1986 debut album,
“Especially for You.” The induc-
tion ceremony also will include a
tune sung by longtime fan Robin
Wilson of The Gin Blossoms, who
greatly were influenced by The
Smithereens, as were dozens of
New Brunswick music acts, plus
Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, accord-
ing to journal entries enshrined in
The NJ Hall of Fame Class of 2018 induction
takes place on October 27 in Asbury Park.
Here are the entertainment related inductees.
Arts & Letters
Peter Benchley, Jerry Izenberg,
George R.R. Martin, and Timothy White
Performing Arts
Jason Alexander, Southside Johnny,
and The Smithereens
www.njhalloffame.org
NJ STAGE - ISSUE 64
** Musician and club owner Tim Mcloone will
be inducted in the Enterprise category **
INDEX
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