Pat DiNizio, 1955-2017

Pat DiNizio

Pat DiNizioPat DiNizio, lead singer and songwriter for the 1980s-90s band The Smithereens, died Tuesday of unknown causes.

The Smithereens were a power pop band whose hooks rivaled those of the Beatles. They hit their creative peak in 1989 with 11an album with not a bad track on it. DiNizio’s baritone voice was heartfelt and expressive, and was instantly recognizable.

Unfortunately, like most good pop bands, fame was fleeting. Their biggest hit, “Too Much Passion,” reached only number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1992. Their highest charting album was 11, which reached number 41.

That’s not to take away from their sheer brilliance in songwriting. DiNizio was the core of the group, and I can’t see the group continuing without him. “Pat had the magic touch,” DiNizio’s bandmates said. “He channeled the essence of joy and heartbreak into hook-laden three minute pop songs, infused with a lifelong passion for rock & roll.”

Another voice in pop music has been silenced. Here’s hoping that pop artists will continue to carry the torch for DiNizio and continue to make beautiful, melodic music for us to enjoy.

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  1. Charlie

    I loved The Smithereens. I saw them live at a summer music festival a few years ago and they really had it together. DiNizio indeed was the centerpiece and I agree they had both melody and hooks just like the Fab Four but they had an overall louder sound. I’ll miss them.

  2. Peter Lee

    I didn’t know they had so many Beatles discs until I saw their discography: B-Sides the Beatles and Meet the Smithereens! Such high tributes shows their true pop background.