Tom Verlaine was the guitarist and frontman of the rock band Television. He died in Manhattan on Saturday. “brief illness.”He was now 73 years of age.
Verlaine’s death was announced by Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of fellow musician Patti Smith.
“Dearest Tom. The love is immense and forever,”Paris Smith posted an Instagram message. “My heart is too intensely full to share everything now, and finding the words is too deep of a struggle.”
Patti Smith and Verlaine dated at the time they were “in the emerging New York Punk scene,”According to The Guardian
Over the years they collaborated numerous times, even co-authoring an entire book of poetry. “The Night,”Published in 1978.
Born Thomas Miller, the punk rocker adopted his stage name from Paul Verlaine, a French symbolist poet.
Verlaine was a New Jersey resident who founded Television in New York City together with Richard Hell in 1973 after the original Neon Boys group disbanded.
Marquee Moon was the band’s debut album. Verlaine earned producer credit.
The television network broke up in 1978, and was on hiatus for a while before it re-united in 1992. They have been on tour since 2001.
Recently, the band toured with UK 80’s rock icon Billy Idol.
The punk rock icon has been honored by many icons in the music industry.
“This is a time when all seemed possible,”Patti Smith shared a poem on Instagram and included a picture of her younger self. “Farewell Tom, aloft the Omega.”
“Tom Verlaine is one of the greatest rock musicians ever. He effected the way John and I play immeasurably. Fly on Tom,” tweetedFlea, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist
“RIP Tom Verlaine. Along with Patti Smith’s Horses, Marquee Moon ranks as one of if not THE best New Wave album of the 70’s punk era,” the band Simply Red’s official Twitter tweeted.
“‘I’ve lost a hero…. You introduced me to a world that flipped my life upside down. I am forever grateful.’ – Michael Stipe,”Official Twitter of REM, tweetedHere’s a tribute to Verlaine from the lead singer.
“He made incredible music that greatly influenced the US & UK punk rock scene in the ‘70’s RIP,”Billy Idol.
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