News of the Dec. 12 death of The Smithereens founder and singer Pat DiNizio came as a shock to fans and the music community, particularly as the band had announced they were about to head out on a tour in January. On Dec. 12, Smithereens singer Pat DiNizio passed away at age 62. Back in the mid-to-late ’80s, the Smithereens had a string of rock hits, including “Blood and Roses,” “House We Used to Live In,” “A Girl Like You,” and yes, “Only a Memory.” So it’s appropriate that the band headlined summer 2014’s Rock of the ’80s tour with the Romantics, Marshall Crenshaw, and Tommy Tutone.
