Punk Pioneer Tom Verlaine Dead at 73
Tom Verlaine—born Tom Miller in Denville—changed the face of punk rock with his incendiary band Television. He died January 28 at the age of 73. Although he never became a mainstream star, his jagged lead guitar lines and lyrical prowess influenced a generation of alt-rockers. Television was the first band to play CBGB, forcing owner Hilly Kristal’s hand to turn away from country music and introduce bands like Television, Talking Heads, Mink DeVille, The Ramones and Blondie to the world. Television—with Verlaine, Richard Hell, Richard Lloyd, Billy Ficca and “Sonic” Fred Smith—started that ball rolling.
Their groundbreaking 1977 Marquee Moon debut is still one of the greatest debuts in rock history, directly influencing R.E.M., Pavement, Sonic Youth, The Strokes, Jeff Buckley, Patti Smith, Billy Idol and so many others.
He recorded eight solo albums and backed up former girlfriend Patti Smith on tour and in the studio. His camp issued the following statement: “He was noted for his angular lyricism and pointed lyrical asides, a sly wit, and an ability to shake each string to its truest emotion. His vision and his imagination will be missed.
Patti Smith: “Words cannot express my sorrow for the loss nor the joy for having known him…Tom’s uniquely beautiful and expressive guitar work can be heard throughout “Break It Up,” a song Tom and I composed for Horses in 1975.”
Billy Idol: “Sad to hear, he made incredible music that greatly influenced the U.S. and U.K. punk-rock scene in the ‘70s.”
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers: “Listened to Marquee Moon 1,000 times. And I mean, LISTENED, sitting still, lights down low taking it all in. Awe and wonder every time. Will listen 1,000 times more. Tom was one of the greatest rock musicians ever. He effected the way I play immeasurably.”
Vernon Reid of Living Colour: “`Little Johnny Jewel’ is the song of the day. He was a guitarist of bravado, nuance, weirdness and formality. I’ve heard hints of Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Steve Howe of Yes in his playing running counter to punk orthodoxy. In a way? The MOST punk of all.”
Jason Isbell: “Most nights we walk onstage to Marquee Moon. Tom was the realest deal.”