Tom Verlaine, bassist and lead guitarist for the TV rock band, died Saturday in Manhattan after a “brief illness.” He was 73 years old.
Jesse Paris Smith, daughter of fellow musician Patti Smith, announced Verlaine’s death.
“Dearest Tom. “Love is immense and forever,” Paris Smith he wrote in an Instagram post. “My heart is so full to share it all right now, and finding the words so deep is a struggle.”
Patti Smith and Verlaine dated when they were “in the emerging New York punk scene,” According to The Guardian.
The two have collaborated several times over the years, including co-authoring a book of poetry, The Night, released in 1978.
The punk rock singer, born Thomas Miller, adopted his stage name after French Symbolist poet Paul Verlaine.
A native of New Jersey, Verlaine founded Television in New York City in 1973 with fellow high school student Richard Hill after their original group, The Neon Boys, disbanded that same year.
The band released their debut album, Marquee Moon, in 1977, for which Verlaine also received a producer credit.
The TV broke up in 1978 and remained on hiatus until their reunion in 1992. The group has toured sporadically since 2001.
most band He recently toured in October 2022 with 80s rock icon Billy Idol in the UK.
Many icons across the music industry have paid their respects to the punk rock legend.
Patti Smith Posted a Poetic Message “This Is the Time When Everything Seemed Possible” Instagram With a photo of two of their younger years. “Bye Tom, Omega Alia.”
“Tom Verlaine is one of the greatest rock musicians of all time. He has influenced the way John and I play immeasurably. Travel on Tom,” chirp Red Hot Chili Peppers Bassist Flea.
“RIP Tom Verlaine”. Along with Patti Smith’s Horses, Marquee Moon ranks as one of if not the best New Wave album of the ’70s punk era,” Simply Red Official Band Twitter tweeted.
“I lost a hero…. You introduced me to a world that turned my life upside down. I am forever grateful. – Michael Stipe “Charge Twitter from REM, he tweeted A quote from their lead singer in honor of Verlaine.
“He made great music that greatly influenced the punk rock scene in the US and UK in the 70s RIP,” said Billy Idol.
“Twitter geek. Proud troublemaker. Professional student. Total zombie guru. Web specialist. Creator.”