My friend Amir Eylon was the first to break the news to me that we'd lost another amazing musical talent this week, urging me in a Facebook post to feature the Smithereens' Pat DiNizio on this Music Friday.
How could I not?
The Smithereens were just getting warmed up as I was winding down my career in Rock Radio. And, I took my lumps from management from putting some of their early work into rotation. But, it was all worth it when they starting scoring chart hits like "Blues Before and After."
Pat had that uncanny ability, as the band wrote earlier this week, to turn "the essence of joy and heartbreak into hook-laden three minute pop songs." With a decidedly rocky edge.
I could go for one of the more obscure gems in this fond farewell...but I love "A Girl Like You" way too much.
OK, OK...and this from their Christmas album a few years ago.
Heaven just got a little bit hipper. RIP, Pat.
Thank you, my friend! One heck of a jam session in Heaven this week!
Posted by: Amir Eylon | December 15, 2017 at 05:47
Well played gentlemen!
Posted by: Lee T | December 15, 2017 at 07:59