Punk legend Tom Verlaine dies at 73
He was the guitarist and frontman of "Television"
Legendary guitarist of New York band 'Television' Tom Verlaine has died at 73.
The announcement was made by Paris Smith, daughter of Patti Smith.
The artist had been ill for some time.
Thomas Miller, this is his real name, was born in Denville, New Jersey. He had begun piano lessons as a young man, but later switched to the saxophone after hearing a Stan Getz record. In my teens, I was inspired to pick up the guitar after hearing the Rolling Stones' 1966 hit, "19th Nervous Breakdown."
In 1972 he had formed the group Neon Boys in New York together with his school friend Richard Hell (on bass) and drummer Billy Ficca. The group had disbanded to reform in March 1973 under the name "Television", which Richard Lloyd joined as second guitarist.
(Unioneonline/ss)
