At the Basie event, CEO Adam Philipson is flanked by Smithereens founders and newly minted Basie Center Walk of Fame inductees Jim Babjak, left, and Dennis Diken. Count Basie Center for the Arts 
Darlene Love backstage at the Count Basie Center for the Arts after her Walk of Fame Induction Dec. 19. She was joined by Basie CEO Adam Philipson, Red Bank Mayor Billy Portman, Basie Center Trustee Robin Klein and Basie Center COO Izzy Sackowitz. Count Basie Center for the Arts
By Mary Ann Bourbeau
RED BANK – The Count Basie Center for the Arts honored its second round of legendary artists – Darlene Love and the Smithereens – as it inducted them onto its Walk of Fame. The ceremonies occurred before their respective shows Dec. 19, when Love performed on the Basie’s main stage and the Smithereens played the Vogel.
According to the center, the Walk of Fame honors artists who have performed at the historic venue, made an indelible impact on culture and whose contributions reflect the enduring power of the arts. Honorees receive a plaque on the sidewalk in front of the Basie Center. The program was launched in 2025 as part of the venue’s centennial celebration.
“The Walk of Fame is a permanent tribute to the artists who have helped shape the Basie Center’s identity over the last hundred years,” said Adam Philipson, president and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Honoring Darlene Love and the Smithereens reflects both the legacy of this institution and the enduring impact of artists who continue to inspire audiences across generations.”
Darlene Love
Love, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, has been a backup singer for more than 200 well-known musicians. As a lead singer, her Billboard hits include “He’s a Rebel,” “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry,” “Wait ’til My Bobby Gets Home,” “He’s Sure the Boy I Love,” and the No. 1 holiday classic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).” She has appeared on the Basie stage numerous times, including 14 appearances at the Basie’s Christmas show.
“Darlene is an American icon with a career that spans more than 60 years,” said Philipson. “Her voice is immediately recognizable, and her story is inspirational. Her music has been a part of our lives for generations, and she’s not stopping anytime soon. She is one of the Basie Center’s most beloved holiday traditions. Darlene Love is a part of the Basie Center’s story, and we are proud to be part of hers.”
Smithereens
Formed in Carteret, the Smithereens have an unmistakable sound that’s a mix of rock, pop and punk. In the 1980s, the band was a popular fixture on MTV and made numerous appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night,” and “Saturday Night Live.” Their music remains a vital part of the American rock canon and a point of pride for New Jersey’s cultural history.
Red Bank Mayor Billy Portman, himself a member of the band SoWatt, spoke at the ceremony for the Smithereens, which formed in 1980 with members Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros, Dennis Diken and lead singer Pat DiNizio, who died in 2017.
“The Count Basie Center for the Arts brings a great sense of pride to this community,” he said. “Whenever you spend time in our great downtown, I hope you’ll take a minute to look at the names on the stones and think how fortunate we are to have a venue like the Count Basie right here in Red Bank.”
Rich Russo, who hosts the long-running “Anything Anything” radio program and the “Jersey Guy Does Jersey” show on SiriusXM, said he was humbled to present the award to the Smithereens.
“It’s my honor to welcome New Jersey’s Fab Four, the Smithereens, to the Count Basie Center’s Walk of Fame,” he said.
He spoke about how, as a teen, his father took him to numerous record stores around the state. He fondly remembers one in particular – Flamin’ Groovies in New Brunswick – that was owned at the time by Babjak. He recalled the day he brought a stack of 45s to the register and Babjak gave him a pressed copy of the Smithereens’ first single, “Girls About Town.”
“Kid, this one’s on me,” Babjak told a young Russo. “I hope you like it.”
“It’s one of those moments that left a lasting impression on me,” said Russo. “To think that 45 years later, that teenager would be up here inducting that band.”
Diken said it was an honor to be included on the Walk of Fame and especially meaningful for the band to be recognized in their home state.
“I’m so grateful that I was bitten by the music bug at a tender age and to have found Jim, Mike and Pat,” he said. “We feel very fortunate to have grown up in a town with creative, curious, funny, fun-loving and intelligent kids. We all fed off each other’s energy. Because of all of you and our fans supporting us for what will be 46 years in March, we were able to continue to do this. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Babjak took to the mic to say he does not take being inducted onto the Walk of Fame for granted.
“I’m also grateful that, along with Dennis, Mike and Pat, we were able to bring happiness and joy to so many people through our passion for music,” he said. “Thank you, Count Basie Center for the Arts, for honoring us and inspiring the next generation of artists. Long live live music!”
Scholarships
As part of the evening’s celebration, the Basie Center also awarded the Pat DiNizio Musical Performance Scholarship, which helps make music education accessible to young people through the Basie Center’s Turner Academy of the Arts. It was presented to Paloma Donohue from Red Bank Regional High School and Chloe Schneider from Marlboro High School.
“Pat would be so pleased to see this scholarship,” said Diken. “We wish these fine artists a bright future. Speaking with them backstage, they have the passion that we had when we were kids, and I know that’s going to carry them through.”
The article originally appeared in the January 8 – 14, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
