Richard Lloyd, guitarist for the influential New York punk band Television, has died at the age of 75, according to a post on the band's social media.
Lloyd, who was born in Pennsylvania, played on all of Television's studio albums: Marquee Moon (1977), Adventure (1978), and their self-titled third LP released in 1992. He had been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer, in March.
Band's tribute
A post on Television's X account said: "We are so very sad that Richard Lloyd has today passed away at the age of 75.
"Deepest condolences to Sheila and to all of his family and friends."
Musical influence
With Television, Lloyd's angular guitar style helped shape what would become the post-punk and indie movements, with bands such as Pixies, Sonic Youth, and Gang Of Four crediting them as an influence.
Television are best known for their 10-minute epic Marquee Moon, from the album of the same name, which reached number 30 in the UK singles chart and is known for its repetitive guitar riff. They also had two further hits with "Foxhole" and "Prove It."
They were among the first punk bands to play at the legendary CBGB's club in New York, which later launched the careers of bands such as Blondie, Patti Smith, and The Ramones. The venue had originally been intended to host country and bluegrass music.
Legacy and family
The band's line-up on their first album consisted of Lloyd, singer and guitarist Tom Verlaine, bass player Fred Smith, and drummer Billy Ficca. Verlaine died in 2023 at the age of 73 after a prostate cancer diagnosis, and Television disbanded following his death.
Alongside his work with the band, Lloyd released nine studio albums, beginning with 1979's Alchemy. He married his wife Sheila O'Keefe in 2010 and had a son named Dylan.
