RIP Tom Verlaine


A huge influence on me growing up and absolutely loving Marquee Moon and Adventure along with his solo albums. Bands I was in played covers of See No Evil, Elevation, Breakin In My Heart and Red Leaves. Just leaves a hole there.

 

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/01/28/music-legend-who-delivered-one-of-rocks-greatest-album-dies-at-73/[/URL]

 

Tom Verlaine, the acclaimed vocalist-guitarist whose experimental art-rock band Television helped define the New York City punk scene in the ’70s, reportedly died on Saturday (Jan. 28).

 

The New Jersey-born artist, who grew up in Delaware, was 73.

 

Verlaine’s death was announced by Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of fellow ’70s New York City punk-rock trailblazer Patti Smith, who added that he died “after a brief illness” but did not indicate a cause, according to the New York Times.

 

Unlike a number of his contemporaries from NYC’s early punk glory days at the legendary CBGB’s club — including Smith, Blondie, Talking Heads and the Ramones — Verlaine wouldn’t achieve widespread commercial success or become a household name in America and elsewhere.

 

Yet, Verlaine will be remembered for helping create music that is remembered as fondly — as least by a passionately discerning subset of music fandom — as anything that came from those other NYC legends.

 

In particular, Television’s debut, 1977’s “Marquee Moon,” ranks among the greatest albums in rock history. But don’t just take our word on it. Ask the folks at VH1, which included “Marquee Moon” on its list of the 100 Greatest Albums of Rock and Roll, or at Rolling Stone, which ranked it as the 128th best album of all time.

dz13

Television remains one of my favorite bands. I read a rave review of the group in the L.A. Times (was it Robert Hillburn who wrote it?) and actually found their album Marquee Moon at the local record store. I put it on the stereo and was at first jarred by the noise and anger, but by the time the tune Friction came on I was a fan. Saw them at the Whisky soon afterward. They were outstanding. Jangly. Intense. Psychotic, but in a musically expressive way. They truly had the goods. They truly turned my head around...as at the time my favorite non-classical artist was Cat Stevens. Yeah. What can I say? RIP.

So sorry to hear that. I'd just picked up their 'Live In San Francisco' CD, which is a show I was at - brilliant stuff.... 

Just broke out finished playing Television's Marque Moon which I hadn't played in years. He was an original and talented guitarist, and will be missed.  Time to listen to his solo work again to and appreciate his contribution to music again.

One of the greats!

Television, and TV himself in particular, were hugely influential in the UK New Wave.

Marquee Moon has been spinning on the tirntable inour house for most of sunday afternoon.

Television was my intro to protopunk. Great band.  Man this winter has been a rough one for older musicians. RIP

 i cannot think of a pair of guitarists in a single band that come close to verlaine and richard lloyd (dickie betts/duane allman would be next on my list; perhaps the guys from the church?). last time i saw verlaine he kept complaining to the lighting guy about  it being  too dark to see his fingers, but he played brilliantly anyways.

Damn, these deaths are becoming awfully frequent. The debut Television album was quite unlike anything from the other CBGB bands, and still sounds great.

More horrible news right after Jeff Beck and David Crosby. I own all of Tom’s solo albums on CD along with Marquee Moon, Adventure, and Television (1992). One of my personal favorites is “Warm and Cool” an all instrumental solo album from 1992 showcasing his brilliant guitar. 

I agree that the guitar duo of Tom Verlaine & Richard Lloyd are in the same rarified air as Duane Allman & Dickie Betts. I'd add Andy Powell & Ted Turner of Wishbone Ash to that exclusive club; and, Peter Koppes & Marty Wilson-Piper of The Church warrant serious consideration. 

In retrospect it sure seems like January of 2023 was an exceptionally bad month for losing important artists to the great beyond. Hopefully, this trend won't continue for the rest of this year.

Saw Television at small club in their heyday, my audiophile buddy in charge of sound. Simply one of the best rock shows I've attended, and I've attended many! Television goes on playlist this weekend.

 

Yes, it seems we're losing so many great artists lately, I always remember these artists in their prime. Where has all this time gone!

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