New York City – Fred smith, the influential bassist for the pioneering band Television, died on Thursday, February 5, at age 77. The news was shared today by Smith’s former bandmate, Jimmy Rip, via Instagram.
A Founding Sound of New York Punk
Smith’s understated basslines helped define the sound of a generation.
- Television, formed in 1973, became a cornerstone of the burgeoning New York punk and new wave scene.
- Smith’s bass playing was characterized as subtle, powerful, and essential to the band’s intricate sound.
- He also collaborated with artists like Blondie, the Fleshtones, Willie Nile, and the Roches.
- Smith continued to collaborate with former bandmates and briefly rejoined Television for reunion performances.
Television was initially founded in 1973 by Tom Verlaine and Richard Hell, later adding guitarist Richard Lloyd to the lineup. Smith, who previously played bass in a band that would evolve into Blondie, joined in 1975 following Hell’s exit. that same year, the band secured a pivotal residency at the legendary New York club CBGB, a breeding ground for the city’s explosive punk and new wave movement.
Marquee Moon and Beyond
Signed to Elektra Records, Television released the critically acclaimed album Marquee Moon in 1977. The album’s innovative sound-minimal yet expansive-featured Smith’s subtly powerful basslines,which provided a foundation for the intricate guitar interplay between Verlaine and Lloyd. While a critical triumph,Marquee Moon didn’t achieve widespread commercial success.The band followed up with Adventure in 1978 before disbanding shortly after.
Smith remained active in music, contributing to solo albums by Verlaine and Lloyd. He rejoined Television for a reunion album in 1992 and participated in several reunion shows in the late 2010s. Verlaine died in 2023 at the age of 73.
Beyond Television, Smith also played with New York garage-rock band the Fleshtones and appeared on recordings by artists such as Willie Nile, the Roches, and peregrins.
Jimmy Rip shared a heartfelt eulogy on Instagram, stating, “The legendary bassist for Television, Tom Verlaine and many others, Fred Smith, was not only my bandmate for 46 years – he was my true friend. He was a great running buddy and exactly the guy you wanted around when road life got wearisome… Yesterday, he left this world, leaving so many who loved him wanting so much more…of him.” Rip continued, praising Smith’s musicality: “If you are a lover of melodic bass lines and counterpoint, you could go to school on what Fred created so effortlessly. He was a natural – never flashy, always essential – always serving the song in ways that only the greatest musicians can…”
Check out some of Smith’s work with Television:
