Tom Verlaine, the frontman of the band Television, who was a major influence on the New York punk rock scene in the 1970s, has passed away. He turned 73.
The Hollywood Reporter learned on Saturday that the guitarist and songwriter passed away after a short illness in New York City surrounded by close friends.
Born in New Jersey on December 13, 1949, with the name Thomas Miller, Verlaine grew up in Wilmington, Delaware for most of his childhood. About five years after moving to New York City in 1968, the musician founded the band Television in 1973 with Richard Hell, Billy Ficca and Richard Lloyd. Fred Smith was brought in after Hell left the band two years later.
After eventually signing with Elektra Records, the band released their debut album, marquee moon, in early 1977. Although the album attracted the attention of critics, it did not bode well for American audiences, but it did reach the charts in the UK
After touring that same year, the group released their second album, Adventure, in 1978. They split up shortly after and Verlaine pursued a solo career. The band reunited in 1991, nearly 14 years after the split, and recorded a new album, Television, for Capitol Records. The reunion was short-lived, however, as the group broke up again in 1993.
In total, Verlaine released eight solo albums, including his 1979 self-titled debut record and his most successful album Dreamtimewhich reached number 177 on Billboard’s Top 200 list in 1981.
During his music career, he also collaborated with other artists such as Patti Smith on her albums Gone again, Gun Ho, Twelve and Banga. Smith’s daughter, Jesse Paris Smith, shared a tribute on Instagram, writing: “I love you always and forever, and will always remember and hold the touch of your hand – hands of a beautiful creator and of a love more warm, tender, delicate and true than one can ever dream of. There has never been anyone like you and there never will be.”
