Tom Verlaine, the frontman and guitarist for the rock band Television, died Saturday in Manhattan following a “temporary illness.” He was 73 years old.
Verlaine’s death was announced by Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of fellow musician Patti Smith.
“Dearest Tom. The love is immense and without end,” Paris Smith wrote in an Instagram post. “My heart is simply too intensely full to share every part now, and finding the words is simply too deep of a struggle.”
Patti Smith and Verlaine had dated once they were “within the emerging Recent York Punk scene,” in line with the Guardian.
The 2 collaborated again and again over time, including co-authoring a book of poetry called “The Night,” released in 1978.
The punk rocker, born Thomas Miller, adopted his stage name after French symbolist poet Paul Verlaine.
Verlaine, a Recent Jersey native, formed Television in Recent York City in 1973 together with his highschool classmate Richard Hell after their original group, The Neon Boys, disbanded that very same yr.
The band released its debut album Marquee Moon in 1977, where Verlaine also earned producer credit.
Television broke up in 1978 and remained on hiatus until they reunited in 1992. The group has toured on and off since 2001.
The band most recently toured in October of 2022 with 80s rock Icon Billy Idol in the UK.
Many icons across the music industry have paid their respect to the punk rock legend.
“This can be a time when all seemed possible,” Patti Smith posted a poetic message on Instagram with a photograph of two from their younger years. “Farewell Tom, aloft the Omega.”
“Tom Verlaine is certainly one of the best rock musicians ever. He effected the best way John and I play immeasurably. Fly on Tom,” tweeted Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.
“RIP Tom Verlaine. Together with Patti Smith’s Horses, Marquee Moon ranks as certainly one of if not THE best Recent 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 the other way up. I’m without end grateful.’ – Michael Stipe,” the official Twitter of REM, tweeted out a quote from their lead singer in honor of Verlaine.
“He made incredible music that greatly influenced the US & UK punk rock scene within the ‘70’s RIP,” said Billy Idol.
