United States: The veteran guitarist Mr. Tom Verlaine, who rose to fame in the 1970s as the frontman of the rock band Television in New York, has died at the age of 73.
Mr. Verlaine, who was born Thomas Miller in Denville, New Jersey, began his music life by studying piano at an early age but switched to the saxophone after hearing a record by Stan Getz. Later, he was inspired to take up the guitar after hearing the Rolling Stones’ 1966 hit “19th Nervous Breakdown.”
Mr. Verlaine got his stage name from the French symbolist poet Mr. Paul Verlaine.
Along with Mr. Richard Hell, who also shared a passion for music and poetry, Mr. Verlaine moved to New York City separately and in 1972, the musicians formed the group Neon Boys, which comprised Mr. Verlaine on guitar and vocals, Mr. Hell on bass and vocals, and Mr. Billy Ficca on drums.
In March 1973, the group reformed, calling themselves Television, and recruited Mr. Richard Lloyd as a second guitarist. Their first gig was in March 1974. In 1975, Mr. Hell left the band, and they released their first single with Mr. Fred Smith replacing him.
Television released two albums, Marquee Moon and Adventure, of which Marquee Moon is considered one of the defining releases of the punk era. The band broke up in July 1978, but Verlaine embarked on a solo career in the 1980s and lived in England for a time.
Mr. Mike Scott of The Waterboys tweeted on Mr. Verlain’s death that “Tom Verlaine has passed over to the beyond that his guitar playing always hinted at. He was the best rock and roll guitarist of all time, and like Hendrix, he could dance from the spheres of the cosmos to garage rock. “It takes a special kind of greatness.”
Mr. Stuart Braithwaite of the band Mogwai tweeted that “Tom Verlaine was a true great. His role in our culture and straight-up awesomeness on the electric guitar were completely legendary. Name 10 minutes of music as good as Marquee Moon. You can’t. It’s perfect. Rest in peace, Tom.”
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