Richard Lloyd, Television's Virtuoso Guitarist, Dead at 75
Rolling Stone • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Richard Lloyd, co-founder and guitarist of the influential punk band Television, has died at age 75 from bile duct cancer at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
- Television, known for their intricate guitar interplay between Lloyd and Tom Verlaine, helped redefine punk rock with their seminal 1977 debut album, Marquee Moon.
- Lloyd was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma in March 2026, and despite medical efforts, tumors in his liver were inoperable, leading to his passing.
- Beyond Television, Lloyd had a solo career with multiple albums, overcame heroin addiction in the 1980s, and worked as a session musician and guitar teacher.
- Lloyd had a complex relationship with Verlaine, expressing both deep respect and frustration, particularly over songwriting credits and the band's creative direction.
