Riviera Theatre to welcome The Smithereens with guest vocalist Robin Wilson & special guest John Hampson of Nine Days

Riviera Theatre Press Release and Photo

The West Herr Riviera Theatre announces The Smithereens with guest vocalist Robin Wilson performing live at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, at https://rivieratheatre.org/event/the-smithereens/.

Founded in New Jersey in 1980, The Smithereens have been creating electrifying, original rock ’n’ roll for 44 years. Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums) and Mike Mesaros (bass) grew up together in Carteret, and lead singer, the late Pat DiNizio, hailed from Scotch Plains. The band paid its dues in clubs all over the NYC tristate area, from Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village to the Court Tavern and Stone Pony in New Jersey. They’ve since performed on stages coast to coast from the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles to the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey to Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, and internationally from Europe to Australia. Tour mates have included Tom Petty, Squeeze, The Pretenders, Lou Reed, and the Ramones, among others.

The Smithereens’ take-no-prisoners sound, reflecting their Garden State roots, has resonated with fans worldwide over the course of 17 albums and 2,500-plus live shows. Studio albums include “Especially for You,” “Green Thoughts,” “11,” “A Date with The Smithereens” and “2011.” Among their biggest hits are the rock radio staples “Blood and Roses,” “Only a Memory,” “Behind the Wall of Sleep” and “A Girl Like You.” The band’s albums for Capitol, RCA, Sony, Koch, and eOne Records have sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Wilson has served as frontman for the band Gin Blossoms.

Special guest John Hampson of Nine Days (“Story of a Girl”) kicks the night off with a special acoustic set.

The 501(c)(3) Riviera Theatre is located at 67 Webster St., North Tonawanda. For more information, call 716-692-2413, email [email protected], or visit RivieraTheatre.org.