With his band Television, Tom Verlaine was one of the most influential musicians on the New York punk scene in the 1970s. “Marquee Moon”, the band’s first album, became a classic.
The US singer, guitarist and songwriter Tom Verlaine is dead. The former frontman of the band Television died on Saturday (local time) in New York after a short illness, according to the “Rolling Stone” magazine and the “New York Times”, among others reported on Jesse Paris Smith, daughter of rock legend Patti Smith.
Verlaine, whose real name was Thomas Miller, was 73 years old. “He died peacefully in New York City surrounded by close friends. His vision and imagination will be missed,” Smith said.
Verlaine founded Television in 1973 with his school friend Richard Hell. The band became famous with the punk album “Marquee Moon” (1977) with the title song of the same name. Later Verlaine was on the road as a solo musician. He has worked with artists such as David Bowie and Patti Smith, among others. (dpa)