Fred Smith, bassist for Television, has died at 77. The musician's death, which occurred on Thursday 5 February, was confirmed by the band on social media. Although the cause of death was not specified, a statement said that in recent years he had “fought long and hard” against an illness.
Smith began his career as the bassist in Angel and the Snake, who would later become Blondie. In 1975 he left the band to join Television, taking over from Richard Hell. He remained with Television until it broke up in 1978, playing in Marquee Moon of 1977 and in Adventure released the following year. After the group's split, Smith participated in the solo albums of bandmates Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, as well as other artists such as the Roches, Willie Nile, Peregrins and the Revelons.
Smith was also part of Television's reunion in 1992, when their self-titled third album was released, and continued to play live with the band into the 2000s.
In the statement announcing Smith's death, Television guitarist Jimmy Rip remembered him as “not just my bandmate, but a true friend.” He was “the person you wanted to be around when life on the road got tough,” Rip continued, adding, “His sense of humor, just like his musical voice, was dry, subtle, direct, hilarious and always left you wanting more.”
“Yesterday he left this world, leaving many people who loved him with the desire to have so much more… of him,” Rip wrote on social media. “He was a natural talent — never an exhibitionist, always essential — always at the service of the song as only the greatest musicians can do.” Rip also said that this year they planned to play the music of the band's frontman Tom Verlaine, who died in January 2023. “Luckily we were able to say goodbye, our last words were 'I love you,'” Rip said before concluding. “I will miss him more than you can imagine.”
From Rolling Stone US.
