When Smithereens lead singer and founding member Pat DiNizio passed away in 2017, the band wanted to memorialize him with a scholarship in his name.
The band turned to the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank for help.
The venue was happy to host a memorial concert in which the band raised money for a scholarship that remains to this day. That concert was part of a relationship with the band and the venue that remains to this day.
Last Friday night, the Basie Center ensured the relationship will last for generations as the Smithereens became one of the latest acts to earn a spot on the organization’s Walk of Fame.
The band, which was formed in Carteret in 1980, was deeply moved by the honor.
“We are truly honored to be included on the Count Basie Center for the Arts Walk of Fame,” drummer and founding member Dennis Diken said.
“It’s especially meaningful to be recognized in our home state. I’m so grateful that I was bitten by the music bug at a tender age and to have found Jim (Babjak), Mike (Mesaros) and Pat. Together we forged a joyful noise that lifted the spirits of our listeners and our collective dream came true. Thank you, New Jersey, for giving us the steel to see it through.”
The Smithereens were one of the acts to be honored Friday night.
Darlene Love, whose career as a lead and backup singer spans more than 60 years, also earned a spot on the Walk of Fame. Love, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, performed at the Basie Center more than a dozen times, most notably during this time of year – she has brought her holiday show to the historic stage on 14 different occasions.
Launched earlier this year as part of the Basie Center’s Centennial Celebration, the Walk of Fame honors artists who have performed at the historic venue, made an indelible impact on culture, and whose contributions reflect the enduring power of the arts.
The Smithereens and Love are the third and fourth acts to be so honored (joining Jon Bon Jovi and Count Basie).
Basie Center CEO Adam Philipson said the Smithereens and Love are ideal selections for the honor.
“The Walk of Fame is a permanent tribute to the artists who have helped shape the Basie Center’s identity over the last hundred years,” he said. “As we celebrate our Centennial, honoring Darlene Love and The Smithereens reflects both the legacy of this institution and the enduring impact of artists who continue to inspire audiences across generations.”
The event Friday night was not just about celebrating the past, but also the future.
As part of the evening’s celebration, the Basie Center also awarded the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship. The scholarship helps make music education accessible to young people studying through the Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts and other affiliated programs.
This year’s recipients were Paloma Donohue from Red Bank Regional High School and Chloe Schneider from Marlboro High School.
Jeremy Grunin, chair of the Count Basie Center Board of Trustees, said tying the musical moments together was special.
“Nights like these capture what the Basie Center is all about – honoring artists who have shaped our history, while investing in the next generation through opportunities like the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship,” he said. “The Walk of Fame reflects the legacy built on our stages, and the scholarship ensures that legacy continues.”
The music goes on as well.
The surviving members of the Smithereens were happy to play a set.
“I am truly humbled by this honor and don’t take being awarded the Walk of Fame for granted,” Babjak said. “I’m also grateful that along with Dennis, Mike, and Pat, we were able to bring happiness and joy to so many people through our passion for music. Thank you, Count Basie Center for the Arts, for honoring us and inspiring the next generation of artists.
“Long live live music.”
