Tom Verlaine Passes Away at 73

 Tom Verlaine Passes Away at 73

Tom Verlaine, a guitarist and singer whose career spanned the 1970s, died this week. He was 73. His passing was confirmed by his daughter, Patti Smith.

As a young man, Tom Verlaine developed musical interests. His musical education began with classical piano lessons. He eventually played in the East Village in New York City. After the band Neon Boys disbanded, Verlaine worked with other musicians. In addition, he became involved with the downtown Manhattan music scene. This included bands like Talking Heads and Blondie. Some of his work included compositions for films, such as Love and a.45. One of his most notable songs, "Kingdom Come," was covered by David Bowie.

During the mid-1970s, Tom Verlaine was a founding member of the band Television. The group's debut album, Marquee Moon, was one of the most influential albums of its era. It also ushered in the era of layered sound, which was powered by the complex songcraft of lead vocalist and guitarist Tom Verlaine. However, the band did not find widespread commercial success. Their music was often lumped in with punk rock, but the band's unique songwriting and layered guitar work were very different from the genre.

The first single released by Television, "Little Johnny Jewel," was a breakthrough. This was followed by the landmark debut album, "Marquee Moon," which was recorded with Elektra Records. It reached the Top Ten on the U.S. and UK charts. But the band broke up in 1978. They later reformed in the early 1990s.

For the next decade, Verlaine was a staple of Patti Smith's shows. Their friendship lasted more than 30 years. During this time, he also collaborated with many other musicians, including Sonic Youth, Free, and Freezepop. His playing was credited with bringing surf guitars into the rock arena.

Tom Verlaine's death came after a short illness. He died surrounded by friends and family. A public tribute was posted on Instagram by Smith's daughter. Other members of the rock community shared their condolences.

Verlaine's career spanned eight solo albums. He also arranged the score for the film Love and a.45. Throughout his career, he had a devoted cult following. He had a distinctive stage presence and a cool reserve.

He was known for his innovative style and evocative lyrics. His lyrics often reflected the influence of poet Paul Verlaine. He also advocated phasing and flanging techniques. And, while his music was often characterized by its ethereal quality, he always had a strong sense of other people's motives.

Tom Verlaine was one of the most prominent figures in the downtown Manhattan music scene of the mid-1970s. As the leader of the band Television, he and his bandmates forged a groundbreaking, edgy, layered sound. When the group broke up, he shifted into a more meditative solo career. He released his self-titled debut album in 1979. It was ranked as the 15th best album of the year by NME.

His music drew influences from John Coltrane, the Rolling Stones, and a host of other musicians. He played a variety of Fender guitars, including a Jaguar and a Jazzmaster. Throughout his career, he rarely used heavy distortion. He also favored reverb and delay.