Influenced strongly by British rock bands, the American hard rock group The
Smithereens formed in New York in 1980 with singer-songwriter and rhythm
guitarist Pat DiNizio, lead guitarist Jim Babjak, bassist Mike Mesaros and
drummer Dennis Diken. Their infectious performances and recordings made them a
top touring band and their single 'Only a Memory' topped Billboard's Mainstream
Rock Chart in 1988. They produced several albums but then had a long recording
hiatus from 1999 to 2011 and with Severo Jornacion in for Mesaros on bass, their
career was back on track until the untimely...