Richard Lloyd, founding member and guitarist of punk band Television, dies aged 75
Quick Look
- Richard Lloyd, founding member and guitarist of the punk band Television, has died at 75 at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from cholangiocarcinoma, a bile duct cancer diagnosed in March 2026.
- Television played a key role in the early punk scene at CBGB in New York City and released the landmark 1977 album Marquee Moon.
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Why It Matters
Television formed in 1973 and played a significant role in the emerging punk rock movement around CBGB in New York City. The band was among the earliest punk acts to perform at the downtown venue, which had previously focused mainly on country and bluegrass music. Television recorded just two studio albums during its peak in the late 1970s. The band's first album, released in 1977, was Marquee Moon, which Rolling Stone ranked No 107 on its 2023 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Richard Lloyd, known for his sophisticated musical style as a founding member and guitarist for the influential punk band Television, has died at the age of 75.
His family confirmed that Lloyd died Saturday morning at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “His loving wife Sheila and his dog Willie Mays were with him at the end,” his family said in a statement to Rolling Stone.
According to his family, Lloyd’s death was caused by cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer that he was diagnosed with in March 2026.
A crowdfunding campaign had revealed that Lloyd had developed tumors in his liver and, crucially, there was one that could not be surgically removed.
Television, which formed in 1973, played a significant role in the emerging punk rock movement that grew up around CBGB, the legendary former music venue on the Bowery in New York City. The group was among the earliest punk acts to perform at the downtown venue, which had previously focused mainly on country and bluegrass music.
During a 2007 interview, Lloyd reflected on his role in shaping the club’s history, declaring: “CBGB’s is the most famous rock ‘n’ roll club to have ever existed and I fucking created it! I was the invisible force behind it.”
Television recorded just two studio albums during its peak in the late 1970s. The band’s first album, released in 1977, was Marquee Moon, which has since earned widespread recognition as a landmark recording. Rolling Stone ranked it No 107 on its 2023 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The record is still considered one of the most influential guitar-driven albums in rock history.
Open Questions
- What were the specific details of Lloyd's funeral or memorial arrangements?
- Whether any posthumous releases or tributes are planned
