The Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio dies

The Smithereens frontman Pat Dinizio has died, aged 62.
DiNizio, the New Jersey-based band’s main vocalist and songwriter, passed away on Tuesday (12Dec17), according to a statement posted on the group’s website.
No cause of death has been given, although the musician had been battling health problems, as in 2015 he required surgery after losing the use of his right arm following a serious fall.
“Today we mourn the loss of our friend, brother and bandmate Pat DiNizio. Pat had the magic touch,” The Smithereens’ statement read. “He channelled the essence of joy and heartbreak into hook-laden three-minute pop songs infused with a lifelong passion for rock & roll.
“Our journey with Pat was long, storied and a hell of a lot of fun. We grew up together. Little did we know that we wouldn’t grow old together. Goodbye Pat. Seems like yesterday.”
The statement was signed by his bandmates Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mesaros, who founded the group with DiNizio in 1980.
After achieving success in the U.S. rock charts, The Smithereens had their biggest hit in 1989 with A Girl Like You, a song originally written for the soundtrack of Cameron Crowe’s hit coming-of-age film Say Anything…
Their other singles included Only a Memory and Too Much Passion.
DiNizio also attempted to enter politics, and in 2000 he ran unsuccessfully for the New Jersey seat in the U.S. Senate.