Richard Lloyd, whose fluent and fiery guitar work was a vital element in the influential 1970s-era New York City band Television, died on Saturday at his home in Chattanooga, Tenn., according to the New York Times. The cause of death was bile duct cancer; he was 75.
While commonly associated with the punk rock movement of the era, Television’s sound was anything but punk, driven by Lloyd and frontman Tom Verlaine’s intricate and virtuosic soloing, unusual song structures and Verlaine’s low-key and deadpan vocals. The band’s classic 1977 album “Marquee Moon” is a defining document of the era, including such oft-covered songs as “See No Evil” and the nearly 11-minute title track and casting a vast influence on future alternative rockers like R.E.M. and Sonic Youth.
Yet Television’s peak era was brief, lasting for just two albums before the band split in 1978 and Verlaine and Lloyd pursued solo careers, although the band reformed in 1992 and regrouped several times over the years.
While Verlaine, who died in 2023, is commonly recognized as the band’s frontman and auteur, Lloyd’s contributions were perennially underrated. The pair’s styles were complimentary and in many ways similar, but, broadly speaking, Lloyd brought the fire and Verlaine the finesse. While his struggles with mental health and substance abuse unquestionably marred his career, in addition to his blazing work with Television, Lloyd released nine solo albums and contributed fiery work to Matthew Sweet’s classic 1991 album “Girlfriend,” which also featured fellow CBGB-era guitar master Robert Quine.
