Iconic band of the New York punk rock scene of the second half of the 1970s, Television became a cult and influential group for its music based on guitars characterized by improvisations and commonly called jazz-punk.
The group was formed in 1973 by Tom Verlaine (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Richard Lloyd (guitars, vocals), Richard Hell (vocals, bass) and Billy Ficca (drums). Already in its first years of activity, the legendary venue CBGB established itself as the main venue for the quartet's presentations. Frictions between Verlaine and Hell led to the latter leaving the band in 1975. After his departure, Richard Hell co-founded The Heartbreakers with Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls) and later Richard Hell and the Voidoids.
In Hell's place came bassist Fred Smith, who had previously played in the embryo of Blondie. In 1977, Television released Marquee Moon. The band's debut album, which features songs with complex instrumentals, was critically acclaimed but without achieving commercial success in their home country. However, this work stood as a reference of alternative rock influences.
The band's second album, Adventure, was released in 1978, but without the good reception of the first. Still in 1978, the band disbanded. Verlaine and Lloyd started solo careers. The band returned in 1992 with a new, self-titled album. Afterwards, Television made some sporadic returns for a few performances.
In January 2023, Tom Verlaine passed away at the age of 73.
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