Rock 2 The People’s inaugural show turned out to be an “inaugural ball” to watch as well. Everyone in attendance (as well as the performers onstage) appeared to be having a great time. Glenn Tilbrook of “Squeeze” and opening act/co-organizer, Pat DiNizio, both helped to mark this auspicious occasion by performing superb sets for this important first show in a new series of intimate concerts. The series idea was conceived by Pat and Lee Tannenbaum as a means to fill the void for dearly departed clubs such as the Bottom Line and other recently defunct concert venues.

“Rock 2 The People” launched its first show with great success. The concert sold out without any print ads and with only a handful of local radio and newspaper interviews with Pat DiNizio (and Lee too in some instances). The series is already planning its next show with Colin Hay of “Men At Work” and opening act “The Rosenbergs” on July 10th. They hope to present upwards of two shows a month soon and some names being bandied about for possible future appearances include Jill Sobule and Freedy Johnston, Ian Hunter and even Vince Neil doing an acoustic set.

Pat officially christened the series by opening the show along with his good friend Severo Jornacion (who has also filled-in for Mike Mesaros on bass at a few Smithereens concerts when needed). This self-proclaimed “DiNizio Duo” did indeed bring “Rock 2 The People” as they “rocked out 4 the people”. They played several Smithereens and DiNizio solo hits to an enthusiastic crowd including such popular concert favorites as “Yesterday Girl”, “She’s Got A Way” and “Room Without A View” (which ended, oddly enough, with the addition of a few unseasonable notes from “Jingle Bells”).

Pat played electric lead guitar for a change (instead of playing an acoustic guitar like he typically does during his solo outings). Going plugged instead of unplugged allowed Pat to unleash his “inner rocker” perhaps a bit more easily as befitting a concert entitled “Rock 2 The People”. Severo ably assisted him on bass guitar as he plunked roaring basslines that nicely accentuated and complemented Pat’s own unfettered guitarwork.

The dynamic duo plowed impressively through the night’s setlist while taking occasional timeouts for Pat to relate a tale or two. Pat introduced “Blue Period” by sheepishly explaining how he became a bit distracted by watching Belinda Carlisle as she recorded her vocals for that song. Unfortunately, it was all over way too soon for his liking when she managed to finish her part in only one take. Later on, he partially attributed the success of “Blood And Roses” to a Cannon film executive’s wife who luckily discovered the “Especially For You” album cassette in the back seat of their car. She later suggested the song for use in his company’s new film entitled “Dangerously Close”. Glenn Tilbrook remarked later on in his own set that if it had been a “Squeeze” cassette in the back seat of that car that it would have most likely remained undiscovered there with their luck.

“Blood And Roses” then thundered to life as an obvious crowd favorite judging by the audience’s applause. That tune eventually segued right into a popular crowd sing-along rendition of the Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes” before finally morphing into “A Girl Like You”. Three hits played with lots of balls that resulted in a rousing home run at the top of the ninth inning for this series. Wham us, bam us… thank you, Paramus.

Pat came back out after his set later on to introduce Glenn Tilbrook who he had known since at least as far back as the time that “The Smithereens” toured with “Squeeze” in the summer of 1988. In fact, the last time that they had shared a concert bill in New Jersey was probably back when “Squeeze” and “The Smithereens” played at the Brendan Byrne Arena (a.k.a. “The Meadowlands” a.k.a. “The Continental Airlines Arena”) in July of 1988. Pat commented on how his band used to linger off to the side of the stage after their own set was done and watch in rapt amazement as Squeeze played one top ten hit after another. This became apparent tonight as well when Glenn came out and played a wonderful set comprised of numerous “Squeeze” hits that are still well-remembered and, judging by the audience’s reaction, just as popular today. He also played songs from his latest solo album that goes on sale this week and sounds very promising judging by the songs that he played from it this evening. (Special mention should also go out to Glenn’s talented piano player who almost seemed to channel keyboardist Jools Holland at times and who managed to extrude various pseudo-harmonica and keyboard sounds from his “Frampton-esque” voice box contraption thingie when needed.)

This new “Rock 2 The People” series provides much needed life support for an impoverished and increasingly venue-less rock concert scene that barely exists for many talented artists nowadays. Judging by the turnout and extremely enthusiastic response given to this evening’s show, more concerts of a similar nature will be gratefully welcomed and perhaps even hungrily devoured. Let’s hope for many more successful shows of this nature in the future. Congratulations to Pat and Lee for a grand opening that was truly grand.