"Jim Babjak of the Smithereens shared his journey from financial struggles to touring with rock legend Tom Petty, which spanned a period of six years."
The Smithereens have finally reached the pinnacle of success - it's taken 45 years, but these legendary pop-rock legends from New Jersey are still going strong. With tribute bands like Broken Pieces, Blood & Roses, and Dead Äire popping up all over the place, guitarist Jim Babjak might just join the act. "I told my manager, 'These tribute bands are probably making more money than me.' Maybe I should form a Smithereens tribute group and join in," he jokes.
The band's current touring schedule is packed, and, despite Pat DiNizio's passing in 2017, the band is still performing thanks to the indomitable spirit of its surviving members. Jim Babjak lost his wife to pancreatic cancer shortly before Pat's death, and, inspired by her words of encouragement to "live your best life," he remains dedicated to sharing the band's music with fans.
Bassist duties are frequently shared between Mike Mesaros, Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion, and long-time Joe Jackson bassist Graham Maby. The frontman position also rotates among Marshall Crenshaw, Gin Blossoms vocalist Robin Wilson, and John Cowsill, best known as a member of the pre-Partridge Family band the Cowsills.
"It all feels pretty natural now," says Babjak. "We feed off each other, and I benefit so much from the exchange. When I met Dennis, he was drumming like a pro - he could play like Keith Moon. I was just trying to keep up with him. That's the secret. I tell young people all the time, 'If you're forming a band, work with musicians who are better than you. They'll make you better.'"
The Smithereens' recordings feature a mix of Rickenbackers, Telecasters, and Marshalls, and later the addition of Music Man and Les Pauls with P90s. The band's sound was heavily influenced by Pete Townshend, with whom Babjak shares a deep admiration.
The Smithereens' music has been recognized as an influence on numerous artists, including Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Tom Petty, who chose the Smithereens to open for him and the Heartbreakers in 2013. The band continues to make new music, with Babjak working on a new album and the possibility of releasing unfinished tracks with lyrics penned by the late Pat DiNizio.
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- Steve Smithereens, the guitarist, jokes about joining a Smithereens tribute group, as he feels they might be earning more than him due to the popularity of such acts like Broken Pieces, Blood & Roses, and Dead Äire.
- The Smithereens' current lineup is a dynamic blend of surviving members, as bassist duties are rotated among Mike Mesaros, Severo "The Thrilla" Jornacion, Graham Maby, and the frontman position among Marshall Crenshaw, Robin Wilson, and John Cowsill.
- Jim Babjak, the founding member of The Smithereens, spent years playing guitars such as Rickenbackers, Telecasters, and Marshalls, but later his sound evolved to include Music Man and Les Pauls with P90s, heavily influenced by Pete Townshend.
- Despite the passing of Pat DiNizio in 2017, The Smithereens continue to write and perform music, with Babjak working on a new album and the potential release of unfinished tracks penned by DiNizio.
- The Smithereens' impact on the music industry is evident in the admiration of renowned artists like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and Tom Petty, who chose The Smithereens to open for him and the Heartbreakers in 2013.
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