Pat DiNizio | |
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Pat DiNizio and Severo Jornacion of the Smithereens performing at Bar Anticipation in Belmar, New Jersey on August 24, 2012.
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Background information | |
Born |
Scotch Plains, New Jersey, U.S. |
October 12, 1955
Origin | Carteret, New Jersey |
Genres | Rock, power pop |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, actor, film producer, politician |
Instruments | Guitar, harmonica, vocals |
Years active | 1980–present |
Labels | Fuel/Universal, East West Records, Koch Records, Enigma, Little Ricky Records/Capitol, BMG/Excelsior, Velvel Records/Koch Records, E1 Music, Warner Bros., D-Tone |
Associated acts | The Smithereens |
Website | Patdinizio.net |
Pat DiNizio (born October 12, 1955) is the lead singer, songwriter, and member of the band The Smithereens, which he formed in 1980 with Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros, from Carteret, New Jersey.
A native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, he has released a number of solo albums, Sounds and Songs (1997), This is Pat DiNizio, a collection of cover songs arranged for piano and vocals (2006), Revolutions (2 CDs plus 1 DVD, limited edition of 300 copies, 2006), Pat DiNizio (2007), and Pat DiNizio/Buddy Holly (2008). An expanded 2-CD version of This is Pat DiNizio was issued in 2011.
In 2000, DiNizio made an unsuccessful run for the New Jersey seat of the United States Senate, running on the Reform Party ticket. He finished 4th with 19,312 votes (0.64%). The campaign was chronicled in the 2001 documentary film Mr. Smithereen Goes to Washington.
The same year, he launched the "Living Room Tour," a five-month jaunt where he performed solo, by request only, in the homes of fans. The tour was a success, and he still occasionally books similar concerts for a nominal fee.
In 2001, DiNizio was one of the first musicians to throw his support behind XM Satellite Radio, becoming host and program director for the XM Radio Unsigned station. He was also an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' judging panel to support independent artists.
In 2006, he was the focus of 7th Inning Stretch, an ESPN2 reality special. The special focused on DiNizio's recovery from a "life-threatening and debilitating nervous disorder" by training and attempting to try out for a Minor League Baseball team (The Somerset Patriots), along with tales of baseball folklore from other musicians such as Joan Jett, Gene Simmons, and Bruce Springsteen.